1. Presentation to the Portfolio Commitee on Police
DANGEROUS WEAPONS BILL 2012
South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association - SAHGCA
Presentation to the Portfolio Commitee on Police
Parliament 26 February 2013

2. -SAHGCA - Dangerous Weapons Bill 2012
ABOUT SAHGCA:
Represent hunters and sport shooters in South Africa
Biggest conservation association in South Africa
Membership
Established 1949

3. - SAHGCA – Dangerous Weapons Bill 2012
The association acknowledges and support
the rationalizing of the legislation, but
opposes the following :
Inclusion of firearms
Ambiguity in the definitions
Latitude of discretion to the law enforcers

4. -SAHGCA- DANGEROUS WEAPON BILL 2012
INCLUSION OF “FIREARMS”
EXISTING LEGISLATION COVERING FIREARMS:
FIREARMS CONTROL ACT
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT
CONTROL OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS ACT
PUBLIC GATHERING ACT

5. - SAHGCA – DANGEROUS WEAPON BILL 2012
INCLUSION OF “FIREARMS”
(cont)
THE BILL CHANGED PURPOSE;
PREVIOUS CONSULTATION PROCESS DID NOT COVER THE NEW IMPLICATIONS

6. - SAHGCA – DANGEROUS WEAPON BILL 2012
On behalf of all Hunters and Sport shooters;
SAHGCA opposes the inclusion of “Firearm” in the strongest terms – it will create a host of new problems

7. - SAHGCA – DANGEROUS WEAPON BILL 2012
Ambiguity in the definition of a dangerous weapon
Was the object designed?
Can the object produce death?
Is it a weapon?

8. - SAHGCA – DANGEROUS WEAPON BILL 2012
Latitude of discretion
Section 2 (2) Subsections (a), (b), (c) and possibly (e) requires judgement and interpretation which could differ significantly from person to person dependant on differences in skill, experience, emotional state, leading to various outcomes.

9. - SAHGCA – DANGEROUS WEAPON BILL 2012
Capacity of SAPS
A word of caution !
As a society we are already expecting too much of an overburdened SAPS

10. - SAHGCA – Dangerous Weapons Bill 2013
Thank you!!