7 November 2007
The South African Police Service is calling upon all firearm licence holders
who possesses firearms in terms of the repealed Arms and Ammunition Act 1969,
and whose birthdays fall between 1 July and 30 September to renew their firearm
licences, permits or authorisations before the cut- off date, being 31 March
2008.
All persons who apply for the renewal of their firearm licences, permits or
authorisations after the expiry of their renewal period may be prosecuted for
failing to renew their firearm licences within the stipulated period and if
convicted in a court of law, they may be sentenced up to a period of one year
imprisonment or to a fine or to both such imprisonment and fine. Such
convictions may also lead to a person being disqualified to possess a firearm
in future.
However, firearm licences issued under the repealed Arms and Ammunition Act
of 1969 will cease to be valid on 1 July 2009. In the event a firearm owner
chooses not to renew his/her firearm licence, permit or authorisation, such a
person must dispose of his/her firearm before 1 July 2009. A firearm owner may
dispose of the firearm in one of the following manners:
* deactivation of the firearm by a licensed gunsmith after approval from the
registrar
* selling of the firearm to a licensed firearm dealer or accredited legal
entity
* permanent exportation of the firearm
* voluntarily hand the firearm to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for
destruction purposes.
For more information, visit the SAPS website http://www.saps.gov.za or phone the National
Firearms Call Centre at 012 353 6111 or contact your local designated Firearms
Officer
"Renew now, don't get caught in the long queues at the eleventh hour"
Enquiries:
Director Phuti Setati
Tel: 012 393 5491
Cell: 082 778 4312
E-mail: mediarelations@saps.org.za
Issued by: South African Police Service
7 November 2007
