Debate on gun ownership and rampant violent crime has once again been rekindled after an armed motorist turned the tables on suspected hijackers, killing three of the assailants on the N1 freeway in Soweto.
IOL reported on Tuesday that in a dramatic turn of events at the Diepkloof Interchange, an armed civilian defended himself against a group of suspected hijackers, leading to the deadly confrontation.
The Star newspaper – citing various witnesses, reported that six men in two cars attempted to pull a motorist off the road, posing as law enforcement officers. In the confrontation, the motorists travelling in a white bakkie then allegedly shot and killed the three assailants.
Pictures of the dead men have been circulating on social media, once again reigniting the contentious debate on gun ownership in South Africa.
The South African Gunowners' Association (SAGA) is a non-profit, “non-discriminatory” organisation, whose sole purpose is to represent the interests of all people who embrace the principles of safe and responsible ownership and usage of firearms for sport, recreation, hunting and self-defence.
In an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, chairperson of the SA Gun Owners Association, Damian Enslin said every law-abiding South African has the right use a firearm to defend themselves when faced with an imminent attack.
“We believe in the right of every law-abiding citizen who chooses to own a firearm. Choosing to own a firearm these days in crime-riddled South Africa is primarily for self-defence,” he said.
“Absolutely, law-abiding citizens with the right training, with the right know-how and also the legal know-how on the consequences of using a firearm, when to use a forearm and the conditions – we believe every citizen has that right.”
Eslin, who is an attorney by profession said if citizens who are under siege from criminals are able to lawfully defend their lives, then so be it.
“We have a major crime situation in South Africa and the police’s seemingly inability to control crime has created a situation where law-abiding citizens have to unfortunately arm themselves, to protect themselves,” he said.
Regarding the few scenarios where South African law permits gun-owners to use their legal firearms in self defence, Enslin said there must be an imminent, unlawful attack against the gun owner or their family.
“Regarding the incident (the N1 shooting) which occurred earlier … it appears there was an unlawful imminent attack. It is alleged that hijackers were attempting to hijack this private individual and he used his firearm in self defence.
“It is always difficult to comment on existing current cases because one does not want to jeopardise that case but you are entitled to use a firearm against someone. You do not have to wait for someone to shoot at you first. If someone is brandishing a firearm, pointing a direction towards you, you are well within your rights to draw your firearm and shoot and defend your life or someone’s life.”
He added that trained gun owners are taught to shoot to stop an assailant, not to shoot with the intention of killing the attacker.
IOL