Firearms Control Amendments Bill [B12-2006]: adoption

SAFETY AND SECURITY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
29 August 2006
FIREARMS CONTROL AMENDMENTS BILL [B12-2006]: ADOPTION

Chairperson: Ms M Sotyo (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Firearms Control Amendment Bill [B12-2006]
Amendments agreed to [available here late 1 September]

SUMMARY
The Committee met to consider proposed amendments to the Firearms Control Amendment Bill as reworked by the Department of Safety and Security.

The Bill was subsequently approved by a majority of Members. The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and the DA abstained from voting.

MINUTES
Review of proposed amendments to the Firearms Control Amendment Bill
Adv P Jacobs, Assistant Commissioner: Legal Services, in the South African Police Services (SAPS), outlined the proposed amendments to the Bill.

The Bill would include reworked definitions of the “dispossession” of a firearm, “muzzle loading” firearm, and “professional hunter”. The legislation would also include agreed upon changes in the following areas of the licensing process: guidelines for the termination of accreditation as well as the requirements for the possession of a private firearm by a licensed collector.

Discussion
The Chairperson commended the Department of Safety and Security for the good work it had done in reworking the Bill. She said the Committee would proceed to consider and vote on every clause.

Both Mr P Groenewald (FF+) and Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) informed the Chairperson that their respective parties would abstain from voting on the Bill.

The Chairperson ruled that, since these Members would abstain from the entire voting process, the Committee should vote on the entire amended bill.

Members voted in favour of the amendments.

The Chairperson read out the motion of desirability and the Bill was formally adopted. She also tabled and signed the Committee report on the amendments to the Bill.

The Chairperson thanked the Department again for their hard work in redrafting the Bill.

The meeting was adjourned.