2004 Volume 3

BLACK GUN OWNERS ASSOCIATION
DEMONSTRATES AGAINST FIREARMS CONTROL ACT
Media Release of 22 August 2004

At 10h00 on 21 August 2004 the Black Gun Owners Association (BGOA) will meet at cnr/o Bosman and Church Streets in Pretoria. They will march to the offices of the Minister of Safety and Security to deliver a memorandum and to resubmit their firearm licence applications which have so far been refused.

Mr Abios Khoele, chairman of the BGOA, believes that:
• 100% of black people applying for a firearm licence are being refused.
• Applicants upon refusal are not being refunded their expenses e.g. R120.00 Revenue stamp, costs of a safe R150.00, training R200.00 (for motivation under old law) and travelling costs incurred with completing the necessary documentation.
• On refusal, insufficient reasons are given by the Central Firearms Register (CFR).
• Black firearm licence applicants have had a quota system applied.

The new Firearms Control Act is unacceptable for the following reasons:

• the revenue stamp of R120 and training fees are exorbitant.
• three days off work for training is economic suicide for South Africa and individuals cannot afford this time off.

Mr Khoele commented: "These laws are aimed at disarming the population. We want Director Bothma removed from the Firearms Registry due to his incompetence in issuing licences. We have waited months for new licences and many applicants have not received licences at all."

Mr A. Khoele is available for comment on cell: 082 326 4662

Sup. Lekgota will be receiving the memorandum on behalf of the Minister.

Black Gun Owners Association
P.O. Box 841, Bramley
2018, South Africa