Firearms control crisis is government’s responsibility, not that of law-abiding citizens – AfriForum
The current crisis regarding firearms control in the country does not require more legislation of civilian firearms ownership, but rather better management of the state arsenal. This is AfriForum’s opinion following alarming reports of stolen South African National Defence Force (SANDF) firearms, including a grenade launcher, being found in the possession of criminals. This incident and recent parliamentary revelations regarding large-scale losses of South African Police Service (SAPS) firearms point to the fact that the country’s failure in firearms control is rooted in the inability to exercise the necessary control over the firearms in the possession of state entities.
According to parliamentary responses, more than 154 firearms belonging to the SAPS were recovered from criminals in the past financial year. In addition, 205 firearms belonging to private security companies were also found in criminal hands. These figures point to a systemic breakdown in firearm storage, control, and accountability within the very institutions mandated to ensure public safety.
AfriForum believes it is both irrational and dangerous that the ongoing legislative debate surrounding the Firearms Control Amendment Bill continues to focus on tightening restrictions on lawful firearm owners, while the government itself continues to fail to secure its own arsenals.
“It is indefensible that firearms are disappearing from police storerooms and military stockpiles, only to reappear in the hands of criminals. This is not a civilian ownership problem – it is a state control failure,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety.
The organisation warns that these repeated failures represent a direct threat to public safety and significantly erode trust in law enforcement institutions. Every firearm lost from official custody and later used in crime reflects either negligence, corruption, or severe systemic dysfunction.
AfriForum further argues that it is reckless and ideologically driven to pursue amendments to the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 that place additional burdens on law-abiding citizens, while the state is demonstrably unable to safeguard its own weapons.
“Law-abiding firearm owners are being targeted for ever tighter controls, while state-issued firearms are routinely diverted into criminal networks. This is a policy contradiction that does nothing to reduce violent crime,” Broodryk adds.
AfriForum warns that without accountability and meaningful reform within state institutions, any amendments to the Firearms Control Act will merely address symptoms while leaving the root causes of firearm proliferation untouched.
“Public safety will not be restored by disarming responsible citizens. It will only be achieved when the state takes responsibility for securing its own weapons and restoring functional control systems,” Broodryk concludes.
