Plans to change gun laws

WITH plans underway to change the country’s Arms and Ammunition Act, officials from the Police and other relevant bodies spent some time last week in a consultative workshop to discuss the law’s review.

Deputy Minister of Safety and Security Gabes Shihepo said the steep rise in violent crimes emphasised the changing role of small arms and light weapons. “Namibia is experiencing a high degree of intensity of brutality pertaining to passion killings, murders, armed robberies, car hijackings, just to mention a few serious crimes.I am sure as concerned citizens you ask yourselves, why all this crime?” he said.Shihepo said between 1998 and 2006 a total of 117 204 firearm licences were issued to private owners, security companies, embassies and businesses.During that same period, he said, a total of 32 691 criminal cases involving firearms were recorded by the Police.He linked the high crime rate to what he said were firearms “in the wrong hands in this country”.”In terms of security, the possession of firearms among (so) many people in the country is totally unacceptable.(The situation) therefore requires urgent action and this action should start with the proper fixing of the law,” he said.Among the contributors to the discussion were Windhoek’s City Police, the Namibia Arms and Ammunition Dealers’ Association and the Namibia Professional Hunters’ Association.Shihepo told participants that he personally was advocating the prohibition of the sale and licensing of all assault rifles in Namibia.He also said that he wanted to see an amnesty, where people would be allowed to voluntarily surrender legal and illegal firearms alike without fear of reprisal from authorities.”Namibia is experiencing a high degree of intensity of brutality pertaining to passion killings, murders, armed robberies, car hijackings, just to mention a few serious crimes.I am sure as concerned citizens you ask yourselves, why all this crime?” he said.Shihepo said between 1998 and 2006 a total of 117 204 firearm licences were issued to private owners, security companies, embassies and businesses.During that same period, he said, a total of 32 691 criminal cases involving firearms were recorded by the Police.He linked the high crime rate to what he said were firearms “in the wrong hands in this country”.”In terms of security, the possession of firearms among (so) many people in the country is totally unacceptable.(The situation) therefore requires urgent action and this action should start with the proper fixing of the law,” he said.Among the contributors to the discussion were Windhoek’s City Police, the Namibia Arms and Ammunition Dealers’ Association and the Namibia Professional Hunters’ Association.Shihepo told participants that he personally was advocating the prohibition of the sale and licensing of all assault rifles in Namibia.He also said that he wanted to see an amnesty, where people would be allowed to voluntarily surrender legal and illegal firearms alike without fear of reprisal from authorities.