"South Africa: Right to carry arms"

South Africa in heated debate over the right to carry arms

The anti-gun lobby used the frightful scenario of a father mistakenly shooting his daughter to underscore their point that South Africans simply revert to guns too easily - that it is symptomatic of a gun-crazy society.

The pro-gun lobby has been using situations like that of the two boys getting shot to illustrate the need for self-protection, in the form of gun ownership, against armed criminals for whom life is not worth anything.

The cause of the polemic is legislation just passed by the South African parliament that aims to restrict gun ownership. The Firearms Control Act will require all registered and prospective gun owners to undergo strict proficiency tests, and to prove that their firearms are safely stored. Applicants with criminal records, a history of drug or alcohol abuse, or with mental problems can forget about getting a license.

Full Article : fortwayne.com