SOUTH AFRICA: GUN CONTROL

Описание: (11 Aug 1999) English/Nat

The problem of gun control will be the first topic on the agenda for South Africa's Parliament after starting its new session.

The country's crime rate is so high that a serious crime is committed every 17 seconds.

It has become one of the most controversial issues facing the country with the government calling for greater control and a powerful gun lobby resisting it.

Faced with one of the highest crime rates in the world President Thabo Mbeki's government believes that restricting gun ownership is a major step towards lowering the level of crime.

But, many gun owners disagree and the Gun Owners Association of South Africa (GOASA) plans to demonstrate outside Parliament against the proposed law.

The organisation, which was consulted during the drafting of the law, is outraged at the severity of the proposals.

They say legislation could destroy South Africa's arms industry which is worth (U-S dollars) 116 (m) million-a-year.

According to GOASA about 80,000 jobs could be at risk.

GOASA believes nine out of ten legally owned firearms will become illegal if the law is passed.

Tony Harrison owns a thriving gun shop in Cape Town and is a member of the Gun Owners' Association.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"And we feel that a lot of the legislation that is proposed is draconian, it's legislation which is far in excess of what is needed. They need to control crime, not the legal firearms in South Africa. Crime is a big problem in this country and we are all for the control of the illegal firearms which are prolific in this country."
SUPER CAPTION: Tony Harrison, Gun shop owner

If passed, the law will dramatically change the process of applying for a firearm licence.

It will also compel South Africa's two and a half (m) million licensed gun holders to re-apply for their licences.

An individual will only be allowed to own one handgun and the licence fee is expected to increase from around eight (U-S) dollars to over 80 (U-S) dollars.

Dr Peter Hammond, a member of both Victims Against Crime and the Gun Owners' Association, believes that restrictions on gun ownership is not the answer to the problem.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Violence increases exponentially after gun control is introduced. This is because all control can do is limit the rights of law-abiding citizens to have access to weapons of self-defence."
SUPER CAPTION: Dr Peter Hammond/Victims Against Crime

Douglas Van Riet was left crippled after he and two friends were shot by intruders in their home.

The friends were killed and Van Riet believes his life was saved because he drew his gun and began firing at the assailants who then fled.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Two of my friends were murdered. I would have been the third, except that I have the ability to use a gun and without that I wouldn't be here now."
SUPER CAPTION: Douglas Van Riet, Gun owner and victim of crime

The draft law calls for psychological testing of all prospective gun owners, restricts to nine rounds the magazine capacity of guns and limits the barrel length and calibre.

This is all a welcome relief to groups opposed to private ownership of guns and who believe the law is already too liberal.

Some, like Reverend Peter Fischer of Gun Free South Africa, see innocent gunshot victims daily in suburbs that are wracked by gangsterism.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Reverend Peter Fischer, Gun Free South Africa

But, even if the proposed laws are passed, neither South Africa's culture of crime nor the fear people feel are likely to go away for some time.

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