The Black Gun Owners' Association says it is preparing to sue the Minister of Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, on behalf of thousands of prospective gun owners who have paid fees in advance to comply with new firearm licence legislation, only to have their applications and requests for refunds refused by the South African Police Service.
Gun dealers have also blamed the stringent Firearms Control Act that came into effect on July 1, 2004 for devastating the local industry and have called for the scrapping of the five-year licence renewals required under the Act.
They also claim the government is bowing to United Nations (UN) pressure to totally disarm civilians, who are instead being criminalised by turning to the black market.
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Association chairperson Abios Khoele said his association would file papers at the Pretoria High Court later this month, while its 20 000 members engaged in mass action protests against the blanket refusal of firearm licence applications and refunds.
To comply with legislation, applicants paid up to R1 500 for training courses, safes and competency certificates, only to have their applications denied.
"Everything has been planned for people not to obtain licences. The government has made a big blunder. The minister (Nqakula) said he does not want illegal firearms, so why is he refusing people legal firearms?
"The new law is encouraging people to support illegal firearms. In South Africa, firearms are readily available and some of the people selling illegal firearms are police (disposing of) amnesty firearms," he said.
He said legal gun owners had reacted to high refusal rates by vowing to report their firearms stolen, escalating the number of illegal firearms in circulation.
Khoele said 80 000 appeals were awaiting replies, but he expected them to be declined.
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