Description

Alberton gun-owners can't get their licenses
Alberton - The 'Record' has been receiving several complaints from the Alberton community about the current difficulty people are having to renew and apply for their firearms licenses.
02 July 2011-- Police have still not responded to the RECORDS questions about why so many renewals are being declined, even though the person may have previously owned a gun for many years.
(Bruno Carvalho) Here is what some of the Alberton community had to say about the situation and whether or not the clamp down on gun licenses by the SAPS is a positive thing:
Johan van der Merwe (42)
"I have owned a gun for over 10 years, I have not tried to re-apply for my licence yet but I have friends that are struggling to get theirs. I think it’s very important to have a gun in this country to have a means to protect yourself. Just because police stop giving the public guns does not mean criminals won't get them."
Gary (38)
"I applied for my licence almost two years ago and eventually in January this year when I called the call centre they advised me that my applications have been refused despite the fact that my competency was approved. I have been waiting for the refusal letters but nothing is arriving in the mail. I was advised that it can also be faxed to me, however when I phoned the call centre they put me from one person to the next where I spent an hour on the phone with no result."
Elizabeth Lodger (53)
"I own a gun and have owned one for four years now. I think its important to own a gun to protect yourself. I have a gun because it belonged to my husband who passed away. Fortunately, I have never had to use it but I am glad I have it. I think that the police do have to do something about the crime and I understand why they are clamping down on licenses but I think they are clamping down on the innocent people instead."
John Smith, not his real name, (48)
"I am currently trying to re-apply for my licence and it is impossible! I have owned a gun for over 12 years and suddenly they say I am incompetent to carry a firearm and that I must prove why I need a gun first by showing that there is crime in the area that I stay in. We live in South Africa and I think having a gun is essential to protect ourselves. Other wise we are sitting ducks."
There's a very good REAL explanation for this problem, which is countrywide. You can read all about it on http://censorbugbear-reports.blogspot.com/2011/06/anc-confiscates-whites-guns-arms-black.html
http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/alberton/alberton-news-general?oid=4508461&sn=Detail&pid=1171119&Gun-licenses-in-the-spotlight