Given recent events, it is clear that crime is unpredictable in cities, forcing people to learn about and develop self-defence strategies. Bloemfontein Courant spoke to two local firearm experts and instructors for some insight on basic gun safety within the barometers of the law.
Born out of a dream to start his own business and a passion for the outdoor lifestyle that included hunting and shooting, Willem Botha founded Die Skietwinkel (translated “The Shooting Store”) over 30 years ago. Located in Bainsvlei, the store offers training and other related products and services. “Bloemfontein is a very well-known shooting fraternity,” he said.
Botha said that, although anyone can buy a firearm, it has to stay in the gun shop until they have undergone the required training and licensing. “You must first apply for competency which normally takes about three to six months. Then you can apply for possession of your specific firearm.”
He said that as some people want to own a firearm as a hobby there are those people, luckily not many people, who use the shooting range as a stress reliever. During winter hunting rifles and guns are popular as people make use of the range to practise. “We have a lot of inquiries from people who do not have firearms and they want to come here to bring their friends to use the range to shoot. The problem with that is that we are not allowed to let someone use our range and firearms without our supervision. We must be with them.”
Botha observed that alcohol has become a cause of most incidents that take place when a gun is involved. “You lose your sense of responsibility when under the influence of alcohol. A firearm cannot fire itself. The only thing that people must remember when it comes to gun safety, is that it is a big responsibility. It is one of the most responsible things you may have in your life.”
Nathaniel Gaolatlhwe from Rencap Forty t/a Senforce in Bloemfontein echoes the sentiment by highlighting that the fundamentals of owning a gun start before you make it to the shooting range. He said it is important to research the institutions and instructors as there is an increase in the number of bogus vendors on the rise. He has also noticed a slow increase in people wanting to be trained, although they don’t necessarily want to own a gun. It ranges from business owners to those who are interested in sport shooting. “Usually people say it is for self-defense, or they are travelling a lot or live in unsafe areas.”
Forty t/a Senforce in Bloemfontein. PHOTO: Gypseenia Lion
He added that he has seen a few incidents at the shooting range during training and urges beginners to pay attention as that could mean the difference between life and death. “The quality of people who listen has deteriorated. People are not willing to be taught. We are dealing with live ammunition and if anything happens at the range, there won’t be a way to explain to the courts.”
Gaolatlhwe goes on to explain that the process of owning a firearm as a civilian requires intense training that is both practical and theoretical. A registered institution according to him must have a registered training provider (which is the company), a registered instructor, SAPS accreditation number, assessor name, and number. The process starts by completing a series of tests and assignments from law books and manuals depending on the firearm you want training in.
Followed by basic training which is concluded by a thorough understanding of the fundamentals and functions of a gun. This means acquiring training, and competency, and obtaining a license to possess a weapon that is approved by SAPS on a local, provincial, and national level.
“Your weapon must always be in a holster and covered, in a safe, and the key must be on your person at all times. You need to know and understand your weapon,” he concluded. Look out for more to find out what local law enforcement is doing to ensure that the city is a safer place for everyone.
Gypseenia Lion
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