Leave legal firearm owners be! Secure state armouries instead

The recent theft of military weapons, including R4 assault rifles and grenade launchers, has once again highlighted the failure of state institutions to secure weapons, according to AfriForum. The civil rights organisation argues that the state is inaccurately blaming law-abiding firearm owners for the circulation of illegal firearms in the country, instead of implementing effective firearm control.

“It is extremely worrying that the security guards at the relevant army base in Centurion did not suspect anything wrong and that access to the weapons was gained without alarms being activated. This indicates systemic shortcomings in the security of military infrastructure,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety.

Similar incidents have been reported in the past, confirming a clear pattern of poor control and discipline, and the absence of accountability within state institutions. It is precisely this type of failure that causes dangerous military weapons to end up in the hands of organised crime syndicates.

“It is clear that the greatest risk lies not with law-abiding firearm owners, but with the state’s inability to secure its own arsenal. While the government is attempting to impose stricter restrictions on civilian firearm ownership, military weapons – which pose a much greater threat – are increasingly being looted,” says Broodryk.

AfriForum warns that the government’s Firearms Control Amendment Bill, which aims to further restrict civilian firearm ownership, is not only irrational in this context, but extremely suspicious.

“The state is essentially trying to disarm law-abiding citizens, while it itself fails to implement basic security measures at military facilities. This approach ignores the real origin of weapons used in crimes and places further restrictions on people who already meet strict legal requirements rather than addressing criminality,” adds Broodryk.

AfriForum argues that it is nonsensical to pretend that the majority of firearms used in serious crimes come from the hands of licensed firearm owners, when in reality they originate from state stockpiles, corruption and the black market. The focus should instead be on strengthening state capacity, better control of existing weapons and the accountability of officials who fail to fulfil their duties.

“As long as the state does not get its own house in order, efforts to combat crime will not succeed. The focus should be on addressing systemic failures and not on further restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens,” concludes Broodryk.

AfriForum will continue to oppose policies that do not address the real causes of violent crime.