3 minute read
FIREARM LICENSING ADVICE
LICENSING YOUR FIREARM
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT AND WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT THE RIGHT WAY
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While compiling this article I cannot help but think of the old saying, Do it Right, First Time, On Time, Every Time!
It’s quite simple, a firearm that you own that is unlicensed is simply a chunk of metal or blob of plastic, gathering dust in some or other Gun Shop or heaven knows where, that is of no use to anyone except the organisation benefitting from storage fees! For all intents and purposes, basically a Gun without an Owner is useless. Guns need to be licensed, owned and enjoyed!
Anyone can go out and purchase a gun. Taking the next step is where it all starts. DO IT RIGHT, FIRST TIME, ON TIME, EVERY TIME. So where do we start? To licence a firearm you need to be declared competent by SAPS. Competency is attained through submission of a proficiency certificate for the respective training. Let’s say you have purchased a handgun. You are a first time owner. You would need to undergo training, which would entail purchasing training material (Law & Handgun), studying the content, completing a formative exam, attending the class session, writing a summative exam, completing a practical session at the range successfully, and then being issued a proficiency certificate and statement of results (in special circumstances this can be attained from the early age of 13). This is submitted along with your SAPS 517 for competency with your Local DFO (District Firearm Officer).
Once you receive approval and confirmation of competency, you are now eligible to submit a SAPS 271 application for the respective firearm licence. The main component of your application is the detailed motivation. Important criteria to include, and is not limited to, reference to the applicant such as: Gender; ID number; state of health; marital status; address; description of residence; employment info; details regarding the location where the firearm will be stored (such as security measures, alarm, gate, security lights,
By: Hamish Deal
armed reaction, burglar proofing, dogs etc.) Also required is a description of the safe and, naturally, photos of all of the above is beneficial.
Now, onto the “nuts and bolts”. Why do you need the firearm. If you choose to own one for self defence refer to your lifestyle and where you travel, explain your exposure to life threatening crime, i.e. passing through crime hot spots, include crime stats in your area, home invasions, hijackings, murders, etc. Yes, its gruesome and not what we want to think about, but if its why you purchased a firearm, then these are the compelling reasons you are required to disclose in order to be granted the Section 13 Licence for Self Defence. These are the questions Central Firearms Register (CFR) will be asking.
Let’s say you require more firearms for use such as occasional sport shooting or hunting. This is where it is now an opportunity for you to select a sport shooting association. Your choice is important in that the offering must fit, and meet, your requirements. There are many associations that one can join. The idea is to identify one that offers a shooting sport platform that recognizes a number of shooting activities. Examples include: Occasional hunting, Occasional Sport, Dedicated Sport, Dedicated Hunting, and these relate to the various firearm types such like: Handguns, shotguns, manual loading rifles and self-loading rifles. If you are like most firearm owners, the bug will bite and your interest will be expanded to include a variety of makes, models and types of firearms. To be eligible for the licence, one not only requires competency qualifications and a certain extent experience. You will also need the support of a shooting organisation/ association. Your shooting organisation will assess your motivation and if satisfied, will endorse such, thereby adding weight to your application as your reasons are further justified by a Recognised Firearm Association.
