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S Africans 'Armed To The Hilt'
BBC ^ | 10-28-2004 | Guy Lamb

Posted on 10/28/2004 7:35:42 AM PDT by blam

S Africans 'armed to the hilt'

South Africans own more guns than the police and army

South African civilians own more guns than the police and military combined, according to a study by Gun Free South Africa and Cape Town University. Some 8.4% of the population own a gun, which amounts to 3.7 million firearms, the researchers found.

In the region, on average 2.27% of the population own guns, while Mozambique has a rate of 0.04%, the study says.

South Africa has one of the world's highest incidences of gun-related crime which has led to new fire arm laws.

Apartheid legacy

According to the legislation, which came into effect in July, gun owners now have to reapply for their licences, undergo stringent checks and sit an exam.

South Africa's high rate is a result of the legacy of apartheid where members of the white community were encouraged to own a firearm

The act also raised the legal age for owning a firearm from 16 to 21.

"South Africa's high rate is a result of the legacy of apartheid where members of the white community were encouraged to own a firearm," report author, Guy Lamb, from Cape Town University's Centre for Conflict Resolution, told BBC News Online.

He said South Africans widely regard their environment as dangerous and so are looking for ways to protect themselves.

Additionally, members of the security forces were previously allowed to keep their firearms when they left the force.

He said that gun shops reported that black South Africans now accounted for most of their customers.

There are some 500 gun shops in the country.

Strict laws

In spite of its 16-year civil war, Mozambique has the lowest level of gun ownership - at 0.4% of the population, the study says.

In Swaziland 0.95% of the population owned firearms, in Botswana 1.9% and in Zambia 0.86%.

GUN OWNERSHIP RATES

South Africa 8.4%
Namibia 5.4%
Zambia 0.86%
Swaziland 0.95%
Mozambique 0.04%
Malawi 0.26%
Botswana 1.9%
Zimbabwe 0.32%

"Colonial laws in some countries... were very strict on firearms. These laws were maintained after independence," said Mr Lamb.

"In some countries, people don't feel the need to carry guns."

He also said gaining access to a gun in many countries was difficult, especially as guns are often not made locally.

"Many people do not have the capital to buy a firearm," he added.

The report, Hide and Seek: Taking Account of Small Arms in Southern Africa, was published this week.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: africans; armed; hilt
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To: TC Rider
On the upside, I bet by now you'll never forget that .45 colt is a caliber as well as a six shooter.

I actually already knew that. I just didn't read the post correctly. Where would the fun be in that?

61 posted on 10/28/2004 1:02:05 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (I actually did vote for John Kerry, before I voted against him.)
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To: Southack
Doh'! - it fooled me!
62 posted on 10/28/2004 1:07:16 PM PDT by BenLurkin (We have low inflation and and low unemployment.)
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To: Spirochete
"South Africans own more guns than the police and army"

It's a start. But the ratio needs to be above 10 to one before you have any hope of seeing a free society.

63 posted on 10/28/2004 2:27:46 PM PDT by Oztrich Boy (Never apologise. Never explain)
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To: BenLurkin

Yeah and the worst thing about that pic is I do think I see a round in the pipe. Sure would not want to be that camera man.


64 posted on 10/28/2004 2:29:55 PM PDT by eXe (Si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: Stag
I think what will eventually happen is that there will be so much turmoil that the place will undergoe a revolution, giving the Marxists the complete power that they have strived for in that country.

The Safricans I worked with in eastern Africa all feel what you mention will happen after Mandela dies. There is a lot of fear over the future among both the black and white population.

Too bad, it has the potential to be a great country.

65 posted on 10/28/2004 2:49:47 PM PDT by Cuttnhorse (John Kerry, Unfit to be Commander in Chief)
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To: BenLurkin; E. Pluribus Unum
I like my gun picture better than your armed Homer.


66 posted on 10/28/2004 2:56:01 PM PDT by Cuttnhorse (John Kerry, Unfit to be Commander in Chief)
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To: Stat-boy

Yeh, the wifey and I are pikers compared to some of our friends...we only have three pistols and 2-rifles. I have a pal who could open his own gun store.


67 posted on 10/28/2004 2:59:30 PM PDT by Cuttnhorse (John Kerry, Unfit to be Commander in Chief)
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To: blam
Very interesting statistics there:
   GUN OWNERSHIP RATES

   South Africa  8.4% 
   Namibia       5.4% 
   Botswana      1.9% 
   Swaziland     0.95% 
   Zambia        0.86%
   Zimbabwe      0.32% 
   Malawi        0.26%
   Mozambique    0.04%
Let's see how that compares to the countries per capita GDP:

   GUN OWNERSHIP RATES   P/C GDP rank and amount

   South Africa  8.4%    # 77   $10,700
   Namibia       5.4%    # 98   $ 7,100
   Botswana      1.9%    # 87   $ 8,800
   Swaziland     0.95%   #127   $ 4,900
   Zambia        0.86%   #213   $   800
   Zimbabwe      0.32%   #172   $ 1,900
   Malawi        0.26%   #227   $   600
   Mozambique    0.04%   #199   $ 1,200
There seems to be a close correlation between the rate of gun ownership and the per capita GDP of a country. The poorest countries have the least gun ownership. If you think about it, do the people who have naked small children with extended bellies and flies swarming around their eyes standing in line to get a bowl of gruel have enough money to buy a gun? Or you could interpret it to mean that ownership of guns is the path to economic prosperity and if you never own a gun you will be in the group of people who are living in a van down by the river.
68 posted on 10/28/2004 3:23:00 PM PDT by FreedomCalls (It's the "Statue of Liberty," not the "Statue of Security.")
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To: Cuttnhorse

Yay buddy!


69 posted on 10/28/2004 3:29:52 PM PDT by BenLurkin (We have low inflation and and low unemployment.)
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