Civil society organisation Free SA has submitted formal comments to the Ministry of Police, urging government to ensure that any amendments to the Firearms Control Act are preceded by transparent and inclusive consultation with all affected stakeholders.
The submission follows growing concerns over the lack of formal engagement with groups such as lawful firearm owners, the private security industry, rural communities, and the broader firearms sector. Over 1,200 individuals from across all nine provinces have supported Free SA’s call for broader participation.
“Laws that affect the rights, safety, and livelihoods of so many South Africans cannot be developed behind closed doors,” said Reuben Coetzer, spokesperson of Free SA. “We are calling for an inclusive, transparent process that engages the people and sectors who will be most affected by these legislative changes.”
Free SA’s submission outlines three core areas of concern:
- Lack of Formal Stakeholder Engagement: Key organisations, including the South African Gunowners’ Association (SAGA), report having had no formal consultation despite being directly impacted.
- Risk of Unbalanced or Unenforceable Legislation: Excluding stakeholders increases the risk of impractical laws that may burden law-abiding citizens without effectively addressing the root causes of gun violence, such as illegal trafficking.
- Erosion of Public Trust: The perception that the current amendment is a reintroduction of the widely opposed 2021 draft, without new public engagement, undermines confidence in the democratic process.
Free SA is not opposing reform but insists that the process follow democratic principles. Its submission calls for:
- Formal and Meaningful Stakeholder Inclusion: Including the firearms industry, sporting bodies, private security, rural communities, and lawful firearm owners in the drafting process, not merely after the fact.
- Broad-Based Public Participation: Especially among underrepresented and high-risk communities, using public forums and digital platforms to gather input.
- Transparency in Documentation: Publication of meeting minutes, proposed amendments, and justifications for changes to promote trust and accountability.
“This is about more than firearms legislation,” added Coetzer. “It’s about the principles of accountable governance and citizen participation. We believe a more inclusive process will result in more effective, balanced, and enforceable legislation.”
Free SA is urging government to slow or pause the legislative process to allow for proper consultation and alignment with Parliament’s own public participation model. The organisation has also emphasised the importance of focusing on institutional reform and enforcement over reactive regulatory changes.
