Safe Inspection Directive from SAPS

[DS]

2009-08-06
All Provincial Commanders
Firearms, Liquor and Second-Hand Goods Control
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE

CONDUCTING OF SAFE INSPECTIONS: APPLICATIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF FIREARM LICENCES IN TERMS OF THE FIREARMS CONTROL ACT, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000)

1. Regulation 86 of the Firearms Control Regulations, 2004 stipulate that when a firearm is not under the direct personal and physical control of a holder of a licence, permit or authorization to possess the firearm, the firearm and its ammunition must be stored in a safe or strongroom that conforms to the prescripts of SABS Standards 953-1 and 953-2, unless otherwise specifically provided in the Firearms Control Regulations, 2004.

2. It is imperative and necessary in terms of regulation 86 (11) (a) that where storage of a firearm, other than a firearm licenced in terms of section 13 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000) for self defence is to be exercised, the firearm must be stored unloaded.

3. It is therefore a prerequisite that before the South African Police Service can issue a firearm licence, permit or authorization to a person to possess a firearm, such person must prove that she/he do have the necessary safe storage facility in terms of regulation 86 of the Firearms Control Regulation, 2004.

4. In order to enhance service delivery and ensure a smooth administration of applications for the renewal of firearm licences of individuals, it has been decided that the Designated Firearms Officer can accept a sworn affidavit/solemn declaration from an applicant stating the he/she is in possession of a prescribed safe as per paragraph 1 supra instead of the Designated Firearms Officer visiting the premises of the applicant to inspect the safe storage facilities.

5. In the case where an applicant is in possession of a safe or strongroom for the safe custody of the firearms which complies with the regulations under the previous Arms and Ammunition Act, 1969 (Act No. 75 of 1969), such safe or strongroom is deemed to comply with the standards set out in SABS Standard 953-1 and 953-2 respectively.

6. It is required of the applicant to complete the sworn declaration/solemn affirmation (Annexure “A”) in which she/he acknowledge the contents of regulation 86 (1) and 86 (8) of the Firearm Control Regulations, 2004.

7. The applicant must further provide photographic proof in color of the affixed safe and the location thereof.

8. The signed sworn declaration/solemn affirmation together with the photographed
safe/strongroom must be submitted together with the application as an integral part of the supporting documents that must accompany the respective applications.

9. The responsibility is still with the relevant Designated Firearms Officer to inspect the safes where a person (applicant) refuse to sign the attached solemn declaration/sworn affidavit or failed to provide photographic proof to verify such safe storage facility or any other safe storage facilities.

10. This directive must be implemented with effect from 11 August 2009.

[camouflage762]

Thanks Khumba lv29

Commonsense seems to be rearing its much bruised head!

[parthyc]

Just a reminder....
When you hand in the detailed photo and location, you are also giving away your safety feature that is attractive to robbers looking for guns.
Info like this does somehow leak out of SAPS..... and into the hands of the people we want to protect ourselves from.

[camouflage762]

Just a reminder....
When you hand in the detailed photo and location, you are also giving away your safety feature that is attractive to robbers looking for guns.
Info like this does somehow leak out of SAPS..... and into the hands of the people we want to protect ourselves from.

Agreed.
But their are ways & means of taking the photograph.

[parthyc]

happy0065
Sure, always be creative without giving much away

[Porramedic]

Me love you long time Khumba! About to apply for competency for rifle and shotgun so this makes my day

[skittel66]

Now if only there was a similar thing that needed to be signed by the DFO, stating that he will hand your application over to Pretoria within 1 month of submittal with all relevant information correctly attached and submitted. Lol, I'm a bit bored at work so I appear to be dreaming again, apologies.

[b20]

Hey guys!

Is this only for renewals or does it apply to new applications as well? From reading the directive, it appears that it only applies to renewals.

[jackw]

The directive heading specifically refers to renewals and reads :
"CONDUCTING OF SAFE INSPECTIONS: APPLICATIONS FOR THE RENEWAL OF FIREARM LICENCES IN TERMS OF THE FIREARMS CONTROL ACT, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000)"
Renewals ended on 31 March 2009 so this will mean that in order to do this, applicants who's safes havn't been inspected yet will have to be contacted to bring in photos and make a sworn statement, or will have to be proactive and just do it themselves!
This is supposed to (QUOTE)"enhance service delivery and ensure a smooth administration of applications
for the renewal of firearm licences of individuals"
WHAT A JOKE!!!

[THOMAST]

What are the requirements regarding the bolt sizes fixing the safe to the walls/floor for relicencing? I would just like to make sure that my rawlbolts comply. I think the minimum amount is 4 for a rifle safe.