How black citizens of South Africa are being marginalised by the FCA

Until 1994 the Nationalist government of South Africa basically refused firearm licences to black African people. Some may want to contradict that statement as a very few black Africans did manage to obtain licences - but let's not quibble and try to rewrite history - the Nationalist government were extremely antagonistic to the idea of armed black people and made certain that they would not enjoy private gun ownership legally.

After the elections of 1994 this had to change. The act in force then, and until it was replaced by the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 , governing firearm control and issue of licences was the Arms and Ammunition Act of 1969. As soon as black citizens realised that they could now obtain a firearm, they did so in their thousands - up to 20 000 applications a month streamed in to police stations across the land as black Africans went on a gun-buying spree.

There were very valid reasons for this phenomenon. The townships set up under apartheid outside most urban centres remained havens for criminals and the decent people there no longer were prepared to have to rely on a lethargic and unresponsive police force - they took it upon themselves to protect their homes, businesses and families, as any right thinking and responsible person would want to do - now, with the "new South Africa" established and with equality under law, they could buy the tools legally to do so - this they set about doing with enthusiasm.

Under the 1969 Act, there was little difficulty in satisfying the reasonable provisions and requirements for a firearm licence. And in the years after the ANC came to power It is estimated that up to 1 million applications or more for firearm licences were received from black would-be gun-owners.

However since the implementation of the FCA in 2004, it appears that virtually nobody, black or white has been issued a licence with the vast majority (some say 90% but SAPS will not divulge the figures) being turned down with the bland statement "Insufficient reason" or "Not convinced of need".

The Black Gun Owners Association was established in 2003 when "80% of our licence applications were turned down", as chairman Abios Khoele says. "First you buy the firearm for R4000-5000. Then you need a safe which costs about R250 and revenue stamps which you buy for about R140. Then you have to pay about R750 for training.

After you've met all the Act's requirements they turn down your application for 'lack of motivation' - not giving good reasons why you need a gun".

• Training and tests in Afrikaans and English only
• All documents in Afrikaans and English only
• A high level of Education is needed to pass tests
• Training is expensive and unaffordable to many
• Training available in major city centres only adding travel and accommodation expenses to rural dwellers
• Storage requirements are prohibitively expensive

It is quite obvious that the Firearms Control Act places black Africans at a huge disadvantage - physical, educational and economically, particular those most likely to suffer from violent crime the poor and the aged.  The very people who need protection the most are denied by an uncaring government and South African Police who claim to be able to protect them but do not.

Who can possibly support such bad law?  Is it not the duty of every South Africa citizen to not only object to bad laws but to reject them if government refuses to listen to the legitimate concerns of citizens for their rights and safety?

What is the benefit of any of these mandated requirement.?  Government and the SAPS have yet to show there is one single benefit to society.