BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting on Tuesday announced that the Cabinet has approved amendments to the Firearms Act (Chapter 10:09) .
The goal is to strengthen regulations and ensure public safety.
The amendments will introduce psychological and training tests for firearm certificate applicants, establish age restrictions, regulate the number of firearms per person, create a database and registry, and specify penalties for offenses .
The Ministry stated, “Cabinet received a presentation on Principles to amend and strengthen the Firearms Act (Chapter 10:09) which was approved. The amendment seeks to regulate the registration and licensing of firearms, and the establishment of a firearms database and registry. The amendments will seek to, among other things; (a) introduce psychological and training tests before one is issued with a firearm certificate; (b) place age restriction on the possession of firearms (c) regulate the number of firearms per person and purpose; (d) provide for the profiling of all firearms for purposes of easy identification and tracing thereof; and (e) Specify the penalties for firearm offences, including the failure to properly secure firearms.”