What is a Gun Free Zone (GFZ)?
- A GFZ is a space in which guns are not welcome or allowed, with the aim of:
- Reducing the escalation of violence.
- Reducing the risk of gun death and injury.
- Providing a legal framework for taking action if someone wants to come into a GFZ.
- GFZs are voluntarily declared spaces, and range from:
- GFZ’s by trust, as status is not enforced.
- Enforced GFZ by declarations, searches and/ or safes.
Create the world you want to live in by making your space a Gun Free Zone.
Steps to Declaring a Gun Free Zone
GFSA’s experience, which is backed by research, shows that the success of declaring a space a GFZ rests firmly on the buy-in and commitment of that space’s stakeholders to building a safe environment. It is not enough to just put up GFZ signs.
The 4 steps to declaring a GFZ are:
- Establish the Vision
- Develop the Policy
- Put the Policy into Practice
- Maintain and Monitor
DOWNLOADS
Information Guides
4 steps to declaring a Gun Free Zone
UN Guidelines – How to establish and maintain Gun Free Zones
Gun Free Zones vs Firearm Free Zones – what’s the difference?
FFZ: Guide to making your school a Firearm Free Zone
Handbook: Teachers’ Safety and Security in South African Schools
Application Forms
SAPS: Application to declare premises a Firearm Free Zone – SAPS517F
SAPS: Instructions for application to declare your space a Firearm Free Zone – SAPS517F
