South Africans fire back at gun reform policy with 17k submissions
Updated | By Nokukhanya N Mntambo
The Police Ministry says it has received more than 17,000 written submissions on the Firearms Control Amendment Bill since last week Friday.

The contentious bill could see tighter controls on gun ownership in the country, but some South Africans have been up in arms over the bill.
The draft legislation is focused on assisting in reducing the number of firearms in private hands with the hopes of reducing incidents of violent crimes.
The current bill is a revival of the copy submitted to Cabinet in February 2015.
Police Minister Bheki Cele welcomed the rigorous public participation.
“The interest and the vast number of comments received so far indicates that South Africans are making their voices heard in this matter, we urge the public to continue with this momentum. All comments will be scrutinised and those considered useful will be incorporated to strengthen the provisions of the Bill,” said Cele.
“The proposed amendments respond to the overarching policy principles of non-proliferation of firearms in South Africa and the strengthening of the processes relating to the applications for firearm and ammunition licenses and the management of firearms and ammunition.
READ: Changes to firearm laws pose 'high safety risks'
He added the amendments should not be interpreted as government’s bid to disarm citizens.
“There is no right to bear arms in our Constitution and the Firearm Control Act in its current form grants no such right to citizens either, owning a gun in this country remains a privilege made possible through the Firearms Controls Act.”
He rejected claims that arming citizens would solve the country’s high crime rate.
“The mere possession of a firearm can lead to increased rates of victimisation—both for the gun owner and those living in the household, simply put, this proposed change in law also has the potential to mean the difference between life and death for hundreds of women who are in the clutches of their abusers, inside their own homes," Cele said.
The bill also proposed tighter controls on the issuing of licences for hunters, with applicants having to prove that they are engaged in the hobby.

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