Representatives of nearly 21 organisations and associations that include three political parties attended a conference at AfriForum Teater where the draft amendments to the existing firearm legislation was discussed. From these organisations 12 participated by giving their input verbally.

The organisations that gave their input were AfriForum, the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Girls on Fire, the Lowveld Hunters, Fire Arm Collectors, and Sport shoot Association, CORTAC Defence, Safecitizen, Firearms.co.za, Gun Owners South Africa (GOSA), Dear South Africa, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus (VF+).

This follows after the Government Gazette of 21 May 2021 invited the public to comment on the proposed amendment act. Various organisations, associations and political parties expressed their dissatisfaction with the proposed amendments and several petitions and comment platforms stemmed from this.

After the conference a motion was adopted that the organisations will inter alia share information and ideas with each other around the organisations’ projects and/or campaigns against the draft amendments as well as cooperation with regard to possible litigation against the latter.

“It was unbelievable to experience the feeling of unity during the conference. The inputs that were given, as well as the spirit with which such inputs were accepted, create immense hope for the fight that lies ahead,” says Marnus Kamfer, Law and Risk Manager at AfriForum.