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G. LE ROUX
Gauteng
14 June 1995
WEAPON
CONTROL
After watching your advertisement on TV, I realised many
people look upon private firearm ownership purely as a means
defence.
Although I bought a handgun long ago on the basis of self
defence, at present my firearm ownership provides me with a LEGAL way of
practising a very interesting sport and hobby. I regularly visit my local
shooting club, experimenting with ammunition, shooting
at paper targets and
silhouette plates. Through the years I have fired many thousands of rounds of
ammunition and never took a shot
at anybody. My firearms are kept secure in a
proper safe when not in use.
Self defence is still an important factor
for me although a revolver will be of little help if I have to face a person
with an illegal
automatic rifle. I do not particularly like to carry firearm on
my person in public -- it's uncomfortable, bulky and an additional
responsibility -- but when I do I do so in a non-threatening non-provocative
manner and I hope I will never have to use a firearm
in a self defence
situation
Like me there are many peace loving South-Africans who do not
think of their firearms as a tool to kill people with, but rather a
fool to
practice their sport, be it target shooting, competition shooting, steel
silhouette plate shooting, hunting etc. and if necessary
for self
defence.
If the law abiding citizens have no legal right to firearms we
will all be "soft targets " and criminals will have even less to fear
in their
attempts to hijack cars, rob shops, break into houses etc. because they will
still have their illegal firearms.
More money must be made available to
the police services to make the salaries more attractive for the difficult and
dangerous job
they have to do. A strong effective and motivated police force
with good equipment can have a significant impact on the illegal
arms
trade.
I think the gun laws should be changed so that a person can apply
to be declared fit to posses fire ie. the person should be licensed
and not the
fire arm. If such a person wants to buy a gun then the new gun can simply be
registered as the property of that individual.
I base the above statement
on the fact that people are the dangerous ingredient in most situations, be it
with fire arms, motor cars,
explosives, petrol, harmful chemicals and many other
everyday domestic articles. A person should be declared mentally stable,
responsible
with no criminal record and have the basic knowledge of safety and
operation of fire arms.
It must be borne in mind that in times of
national crisis people that have been trained in the use of fire arms, and
regularly use
them, are an asset to the country while those who have not are a
liability.
I hope my contribution will help in a positive way for gun
enthusiasts when you decide on this issue.
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