Inquiry prompts appeal on gun theft

**Bertie1** · 03-06-2013, 06:36

http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/201...l-on-gun-theft

NOW that a commission of inquiry into gun licensing and registration has been announced, it is critical that the South African Police Service (SAPS) clamps down on firearm theft and on the number of guns entering the illegal market.
This is according to Gun Free South Africa (GFSA), which welcomed last week’s announcement by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa about a commission of inquiry that would investigate, among other things, complaints regarding the Central Firearms Registry, irregular practices in the gun licensing process, and "unscrupulous firearm dealers".
Thousands of firearms are lost by or stolen from civilians and police officers annually.
Many of these find their way onto the illegal gun market. An average of about 2,027 firearms are lost or stolen from police officers annually, or an average of about 5.6 guns a day, according to data provided by GFSA.
The police minister’s spokesman, Zweli Mnisi, said on Monday that the commission of inquiry announcement came after the ministry received complaints from "a variety of people" over irregular practices by firearm dealers. "We have a duty to test such allegations, and that is why the minister is utilising the Firearms Control Act, which empowers him to set up such a commission," Mr Mnisi said.
However, GFSA spokeswoman Adele Kirsten said the loss and theft of firearms from police officers and civilians was feeding the illegal firearm trade and that licensed gun owners were the primary source of the illicit trade. "Because the legal pool is the primary source, more gun control is important. An average of 20,000 weapons are lost or stolen from licensed, civilian gun owners yearly, but the police officers and military also play a role in this," Ms Kirsten said.
Democratic Alliance police spokeswoman Dianne Kohler Barnard said the SAPS had to address the problem of firearms that were lost or stolen from officers and implement measures to hold officers accountable.
"They are a major source of firearms and they are merely replaced, just to be lost again. There is nothing to say they must pay if they lose a firearm. Mthethwa has promised to dismiss members who lose them, but not one has been dismissed for this."
The Institute for Security Studies said that after the confiscation of illegal firearms it was found that many of the firearms and weapons had once been in the possession of legal owners before they were lost or stolen.

**curious george** · 03-06-2013, 10:26

Whats the difference between the ISS and gfsa again?

"More gun control is needed",oh no,what a surprise?

Wonder how many of these wild claims will stand up to scrutiny?

**curious george** · 03-06-2013, 10:47

Oh,and cynical me has to wonder about the timing of all this "noise" considering all the irrational emotion attached to the OP case making its way back to court again this week?

**SSP** · 03-06-2013, 10:48

Originally Posted by Bertie1

The Institute for Security Studies said that after the confiscation of illegal firearms it was found that many of the firearms and weapons had once been in the possession of legal owners before they were lost or stolen.

The usual twee and fallacious argument. All firearms were once in someone's lawful possession.

**ReignCzech** · 03-06-2013, 12:10

All these gun control people globally are so unaware of the facts that guns are no more than fashioned metal.
that these serial numbers and databases with info are so important and absolute, when really it means nothing other than on paper and a file in a hard drive.

they are so contained in the "box" in their heads, that they cannot either see out of, or even think out of it.

Most importantly the most affected and afflicted are the people that go through all the hoops and requirements to obtain them in the socialy mandated, legally required, and gov't regulated methods to do so.

It's still not enough for the mentally introverted, anti, crying/bleeding heart, fearful, people whom continue to advocate to bring more upon what is already instilled, what are mostly illogical, legal amendments of firearms acts, control acts, classification, licencing, etc, etc.

these same people whom will at some time cry help to and for a person whom has a gun (LEO, security, CCW, etc.) if something happens to them or others.

with the addition that the corruption of some, thefts and criminal acts of others, irresponsibility of authoritative personelle in positions is the common firearms licence holders fault and, the finger is pointed at all us, whom are the people whom suffer from all of it .....globally, in near every country is near the same babble, and b.s....

ahhh, where's some advil, Ph@ck.

Ban 4x4 trucks, cuz surely a person could take out or inflict a lot more casualties, in a quicker time frame, for instance, to a crowd of these anti-gun introverted protesting morons, than any professional trained firearms person could do with as many high cap magazines, ammo, and guns that is humanly possible to carry on a psychopathic Armageddon.

**Kreefstert** · 03-06-2013, 12:23

Ag f*k*f and go bother someone else.

**DamageINC** · 03-06-2013, 14:20

If the stats provided are correct (or even remotely close to that amount) - then GFSA has got a valid point. I am not a fan of them, but we can scream FA rights till we blue in the face - if a large portion of owners are irresponsible and allowing FA to be stolen - it must be addressed. In the end of the day, it could be some irresponsible owner's FA that gets you killed...

There should be more "GunSite" responsible owners and far less of the others...to do this SAP members, owners, etc should face very harsh penalties and even jail time if found guilty of negligence or of a crime. Unfortunately all gun owners are placed into the same bubble which means we take the brunt for those who were irresponsible.

**Gunservant** · 03-06-2013, 14:29

I do not for a second believe that even a modest portion of legal gun owners are irresponsible.

I do not think it is wise for us to support a GFSA position, especially considering the dubious nature, sources and interpretation of their so-called statistics.

**DamageINC** · 03-06-2013, 14:56

SO the question is - how do we get hold of ACCURATE statistics so that the problem can be addressed accordingly?

**Gunservant** · 03-06-2013, 15:01

Originally Posted by DamageINC

SO the question is - how do we get hold of ACCURATE statistics so that the problem can be addressed accordingly?

SAPS and Stats SA. If they have done their job correctly, which I doubt, and even then it would be almost impossible to infer the level of supposed negligence among gunowners.

I would rather look at how many (or few) people have been convicted of negligence regarding firearms.