[imagesource: Food for Mzansi]

The recent publication of the Draft Firearms Control Amendment Bill has caused uproar in South Africa.

If it became law, the bill would prohibit the awarding of firearm licenses for self-defence purposes.

Petitions have now been doing the rounds, and one backed by the Democratic Alliance has more than 70 000 signatures at the time of writing.

The DA, via party spokesperson on police, Andrew Whitfield, argues that a legal handgun is the last line of defence for millions of South Africans.

SABC News reports:

“The DA believes that the firearms control amendment bill is one of the most draconian pieces of legislation that we’ve seen in a very long time. Specifically the bill intends to remove self-defence as a reason to own a firearm.”

“The DA believes that in such a violent society like South Africa, this is completely irrational and unreasonable. The DA is also concerned about the impact on the sport shooting fraternities as well as private security and the limitations of the bill will impose on them,” explains Whitfield.

The Congress of the People (COPE) also came out against the draft bill.

Conversely, Gun Free South Africa (GFSA) has welcomed the proposed amendments, saying that owning a gun should be seen “as a privilege, not a right”.

Adele Kirsten, from GFSA, has said that “a gun doesn’t make you safer, it puts you more at risk”.

It’s easy to see why this draft bill has struck a nerve with so many, and Carte Blanche was on the case this past Sunday:

The bill makes it clear that government wants to reduce the number of firearms in circulation as part of its efforts to curb violent crime. Would it help, for instance, to protect women who live in fear of gender-based violence if the proposal succeeds?

The government maintains the proposal is based on solid research and emotions run high on both sides. Carte Blanche investigates the hotly contested topic.

Let’s take in that investigation:

[sources:sabcnews&carteblanche]