Question NW1639 to the Minister of Police
25 June 2021 - NW1639
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police
What total number of (a) private firearm owners are currently in the Republic and (b) firearms are in private ownership; what number of the specified firearms have been (a) acquired for personal self- defence and/or protection and (b) bought by (i) black persons, (ii) white persons, (iii) brown persons and (iv) Indians; what is the total number of illegal firearms in the Republic currently; whether he will make a statement on the matter’? NW1844E
Reply:
(1)(a) The total number of private firearm owners, in the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is 1 614 291.
(1)(b) The total number of firearms, in private ownership, is 2 718 300.
(2)(a) The number of firearms, which have been acquired for personal self-defence and/or protection, is reflected in the table below:
|
Application reason |
Type of firearm |
Number of firearms |
|||
|
SECTION 13 |
COMBINATION |
417 |
|||
|
SECTION 13 |
LIGHT MACHINE GUN |
1 |
|||
|
SECTION 13 |
MAIN FIREARM COMPONENT |
15 |
|||
|
SECTION 13 |
PISTOL |
825 617 |
|||
|
SECTION 13 |
REVOLVER RIFLE |
236 285 |
|||
|
SECTION 13 |
24 582 |
||||
|
SECTION 13 |
S/L: PISTOL CAL - RIFLE/CARB |
1 241 |
|||
|
SECTION 13 |
S/L: RIFLE CAL- RIFLE/CARBINE SHOTGUN |
449 |
|||
|
SECTION 13 |
28 649 |
||||
Source. Enhanced Firearm Registration System (EFRS), as at 2021-06-10
(2)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv) The data, which is recorded on the EFRS, is not categorised, in terms of race or gender. The information, pertaining to black persons, white persons, brown per9one and Indians is, therefore, not available on the EFRS.
(3) The South African Police Service (SAPS) does not have a record of the number of illegal firearms, in the RSA. Illegal firearms are only recovered through policing activities.
(4) The Minister of Police will decide, whether to make a statement, in this regard.
Reply to question 1639 recommended/
GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 202107-31
Reply to question 1639 approved/not approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 04/08/2021