Over 34,000 registered guns in Botswana
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Thursday November 6, 2014 11:40
Bagali told Mmegi that each registered firearm has a Registration Certificate valid as long as the relative firearm subsists. “After registration, an Arm Licence is issued and is renewable after every five years. In terms of the Arms and Ammunition Act Cap 24:04, failure to renew an Arm Licence attracts a fine not exceeding P250,00,”he added.
But, one does not need to re-apply as a new Arm Licence would be issued upon payment of requisite fine alluded to above and licence fee which currently stands at P10,00, said Bagali.
“Both the Registration Certificate and Arm License remain in the names of the registered owner until the firearm is transferred, voluntarily surrendered or for some reason forfeited to the State by order of competent court,” he said.
However, for one to acquire a firearm is not as easy. According to BPS public relations officer, Christopher Mbulawa, after an applicant has won the raffle of owning a firearm licence, they are investigated.
“We check out the person’s behaviour and their criminal records. Even if a person was selected to have the firearm, we do not grant them a firearm when they have assault cases. We also look at what the firearm would be used for,” he said.
Juts recently, BPS announced that they destroyed a total of 600 guns at the Police College at Otse, including 100 classified as illegal.
They also reported that outside of the 100 illegally acquired guns, the balance was destroyed for being “worn out and old.”
The police said announcing the burning of the firearms is a demonstration of their commitment to zero tolerance of all firearm crimes such as murder, poaching and robbery.