Question NW1546 to the Minister of Police
30 July 2018 - NW1546
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Police
What is the total number of private firearm owners that were registered in the Central Firearm Register in each specified year (details furnished)?
Reply:
The requested data is not available, for the period 1994 to 2002.
Prior to 1994, South Africa was divided into different states, namely South Africa, Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei. All these territories had their own separate firearm registration systems. In South Africa, the firearm licencing process was the responsibility of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), up until 1994.
After the assumption of the firearm licencing process, by the South African Police Service (SAPS), in 1994, a new system called the Firearm Register System was introduced. However, the information received from the DHA, was in a form of a spreadsheet, called a "data dump" and there was no application linked to a specific firearm. Therefore, the current Enhanced Firearm Register System (EFRS), does not contain records for the period, 1994 to 2002.
The number of private firearm owners, registered in the Central Firearm Register CFR), in the specified years, is as follows:
Specified period |
Number of private firearm owners |
31 December 2004 |
903 481 |
31 December 2006 |
925 285 |
31 December 2008 |
969 560 |
31 December 2010 |
1 069 077 |
31 December 2012 |
1 337 280 |
31 December 2014 |
1 425 822 |
31 December 2016 |
1 586 279 |
Reply to question 1546 recommended
GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date:23-07-2018
Reply to question 1546 approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
BH CELE, MP
Date: 27/07/2018