DP MUST MAKE UP MIND ABOUT FIREARMS BILL

Issued by African National Congress Western Cape

28 January 2000

It is disturbing to hear that the Democratic Party has still not made up its mind about vital legislation to control firearms, ironically at a time when four chilling incidents this week reminded us all of the need to speed up this issue.

• A 12-year-old North-West boy was killed while hunting with three friends on a farm near Rustenburg.
• An 18-year-old Cape Town youth was on Thursday accidentally shot dead by her cousin while handling an unlicensed firearm.
• A 30-year-old man was found dead in public toilets in Mitchell's Plain. He had been shot twice in the head.
• A whole family was almost wiped out when a man from Worcester shot dead his son, daughter and wife.

Guns are increasingly being used in violent crimes are, partly due to the widespread availability thereof. There needs to be stricter mechanisms in place.

The Firearms Control Bill contain critical aspects that will assist in bringing this scourge under control.

Therefore we cannot comprehend why the Democratic Party could not make up its mind about this bill.

For any media enquiries, contact ANC Media Officer Gert Witbooi: 082-570-9118.