Briefing 1 of 2020: How South Africa can help silence the guns in Africa
When South Africa assumed chairing the African Union (AU) for 2020 last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa prioritised the AU’s Silencing the Guns agenda as a strategy to creating conducive environments for Africa’s development.
Our president’s championing of the Silencing the Guns agenda contrasts sharply with our national context as was tragically illustrated this past weekend when seven people were killed, and […]
Hunters see reason, withdraw legal challenge to 2020 Firearms Amnesty
Gun Free SA welcomes the decision by the National Hunting and Shooting Association (NHSA) to withdraw an urgent legal challenge to stop the 2020 National Firearms Amnesty. Papers filed by the Minister of Police in response to the NHSA’s court challenge comprehensively debunk and correct a range of myths and untruths made by the NHSA, showing that the 2020 Amnesty […]
Don’t groom For violence! Support a toy gun free festive season
Gun Free SA and Sonke Gender Justice have partnered on a campaign to encourage parents and caregivers, friends and family to support a toy gun free festive season. The campaign, Don’t Groom For Violence!, is being held within the context of a national gun violence emergency. Says Mary-Ann Nobele, Gun Free South Africa’s youth coordinator, “Toy guns are not fun. […]
Welcome declaration of 6 month national firearms amnesty starting 1 December
Gun Free SA welcomes the declaration that a six month national firearms amnesty will begin on 1 December. SA’s experience of holding amnesties confirms how effective they are at recovering unwanted, unauthorised and illegal guns. If the 2019/20 amnesty is undertaken as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at recovering and destroying the existing pool of firearms and […]
The answer to gun violence: Maverick Citizen: Cape Town’s Gang War
As South Africa marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Gun Free South Africa’s Sara Chitambo writes about her personal experience at the end of a gun – sadly, a regular experience – and the steps needed to close the tap to end the seemingly endless […]
Briefing 6 of 2019: Firearms amnesties – Four key factors for success
Yesterday’s announcement by the Gauteng Department of Health that gunshots have overtaken motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of non natural death in the province underscores how urgently action is needed to reduce the availability of guns in South Africa.
The chance of being shot is not random. For someone to be shot, there must be a gun. When […]
Gun control and violence in SA over 25 years
To mark global disarmament week (24-30 October) Gun Free South Africa has published a comprehensive report, which documents the history and impact of gun control in South Africa since Apartheid.
In summary, it tracks gun violence and gun control in South Africa over 25 years, showing that gun control saves lives, but that poor enforcement kills.
Briefing 5 of 2019: Gun control and violence – South Africa’s story over 25 years
Yesterday’s news that parliament’s police portfolio committee has approved a firearms amnesty – the fourth in South Africa’s history – is warmly welcomed.
It’s also perfectly timed, as today marks the first day of global disarmament week (24-30 October), which has been observed annually around the world since 1978.
To commemorate disarmament week, Gun Free South Africa has published a comprehensive […]
SA study over 25 years shows gun control save lives, poor enforcement kills, offers solution to rising gun crime
As the world marks global disarmament week (24-30 October), Gun Free SA welcomes parliament’s announcement today that a national firearms amnesty – the fourth in South Africa’s history – will be held later this year.
According to a comprehensive report on gun control in South Africa over 25 years, which is being launched this week to commemorate disarmament week, […]
CrimeStats – Guns leading cause murder, attempted murder: Reducing gun availability key to curing SA’s violent crime epidemic
The 2018-19 national crime statistics show that guns are overwhelmingly the weapon used to kill, injure, threaten and intimidate: 47% of murders are due to gunshot (up from 41.3%), which means an additional two people are shot and killed every day compared to a year ago. Minister Cele stressed using “tried and tested methodologies”. Effective gun control is one such […]
