: ALBINO KILLINGS
Should Police Provide Protection To Albinos?
It’s difficult to get a gun - PM
Font size:
PRIME Minister Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini has assured MPs that it is hard for one to acquire a firearm in the country.
He said the procedure involved was long and winding with tough checks and balances so that not everyone acquired a firearm at the end of the day in a bid to protect citizens.
The PM said this in response to a question from Hlane MP Mduduzi Magagula who wanted to know the procedure in place for obtaining personal firearms.
He also sought to know if the procedure did not promote the high number of illegal firearms in the country.
Responding, the PM said the application for a firearm had to first go via a local chiefdom and if this authority was impressed it proceeded to the Regional Administrator.
From there it is taken to the Regional Commander and finally to the Licencing Authority which has the final say on either awarding or rejecting an application.
“Prior to awarding the firearm licence, the board considers comments made by the chief and the inner council as well as those of the Regional Administrator. The board then uses its discretion and if the successful individual has to renew the licence on an annual basis. The guidelines followed when acquiring a licence for a firearm are strict so as to ensure any irregularities are detected. In that respect many have failed to satisfy the board thus did not acquire the licences,” the PM said. Siphofaneni MP Gundwane Gamedze wanted to know if it was possible to acquire a licence after one had reformed from his or her unbecoming conduct.
Mtfongwaneni MP asked if new applications were being processed in light of reports that too many firearms were in the wrong hands.
Peter Ngwenya, the Ntondozi MP, asked if the procedure was not promoting illegal ownership of firearms.
The Hlane MP sought to know how frequent does the board meet and its composition.
In response, the PM said the board met once in three months to consider applications.
“New applications are suspended at times and one has to exercise patience because the board looks into several issues prior to awarding a firearm licence such as the interests of the nation i.e. to protect citizens they may decide not to grant licences at that point in time.
“The PM appoints board members of the firearms licencing board based on one’s character, knowledge on the use of firearms amongst other issues”.
He said if one had reformed and their chief convinced, their application could then be considered.
He said the procedure involved was long and winding with tough checks and balances so that not everyone acquired a firearm at the end of the day in a bid to protect citizens.
The PM said this in response to a question from Hlane MP Mduduzi Magagula who wanted to know the procedure in place for obtaining personal firearms.
He also sought to know if the procedure did not promote the high number of illegal firearms in the country.
Responding, the PM said the application for a firearm had to first go via a local chiefdom and if this authority was impressed it proceeded to the Regional Administrator.
From there it is taken to the Regional Commander and finally to the Licencing Authority which has the final say on either awarding or rejecting an application.
“Prior to awarding the firearm licence, the board considers comments made by the chief and the inner council as well as those of the Regional Administrator. The board then uses its discretion and if the successful individual has to renew the licence on an annual basis. The guidelines followed when acquiring a licence for a firearm are strict so as to ensure any irregularities are detected. In that respect many have failed to satisfy the board thus did not acquire the licences,” the PM said. Siphofaneni MP Gundwane Gamedze wanted to know if it was possible to acquire a licence after one had reformed from his or her unbecoming conduct.
Mtfongwaneni MP asked if new applications were being processed in light of reports that too many firearms were in the wrong hands.
Peter Ngwenya, the Ntondozi MP, asked if the procedure was not promoting illegal ownership of firearms.
The Hlane MP sought to know how frequent does the board meet and its composition.
In response, the PM said the board met once in three months to consider applications.
“New applications are suspended at times and one has to exercise patience because the board looks into several issues prior to awarding a firearm licence such as the interests of the nation i.e. to protect citizens they may decide not to grant licences at that point in time.
“The PM appoints board members of the firearms licencing board based on one’s character, knowledge on the use of firearms amongst other issues”.
He said if one had reformed and their chief convinced, their application could then be considered.
Add to:
del.icio.us |
Digg
del.icio.us |
Digg
Email to a friend
Print version
Plain text
Comments ( posted):
Post your comment