Comments on: Crime in South Africa – perception is reality

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 00:13:46 +0000

In the U.K. when they banned handguns after that lunatic went mad in a primary school in Dunblane, the criminal use of firearms has increased. In fact there are so many firearms in the hands of violent criminals now that they throw them away after using them only to get another one in a short space of time. Banning the sale of firearms has made them in to more of a status symbol especially amongst teenagers much like the latest mobile phone and they have no hesitation in using them, it`s a street cred. respect thing.
The reason for so many accidental deaths among small children playing with firearms, as research has shown is more to do with ignorance. Children who have been exposed to firearms and their capabilities have a healthy respect for the results that misuse can cause. Children who have never handled a firearm before will treat it like a toy and do not think about the possibility that it may be loaded. Secret camera footage exposed the fact that children with experience of firearms are wary of them while children who are not will pick them up and point them at their friends in a playfull way, as you can imagine fatal consequences will occur if a negligent gun owner has left the weapon loaded.

By: Lumberjack

Lumberjack — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 10:15:55 +0000

Cait, if every citizen has a gun, then the criminals need bigger guns, and cops even bigger guns. The levels of gun crime are lower in every single country which has outlawed handguns, of which there are too few in my opinion.
When I’m in SA I tend to share your opinion since I realise it is better to have one and not need it, than need one and not have it. The problem is that most people (and children) just don’t have a clue how to handle dangerous weapons (similar to bad drivers really), and since we don’t live in a 70’s style Soviet Union (where you learn how to assemble an AK by age 10, in school!), there will always be accidental shootings and idiots pointing guns at other idiots for no apparent reason.

Oh, and my post was more about the fact that crime levels in SA are much higher than the ‘officially’ reported figures. I totally support your right to take out another human being with a tool designed for that purpose alone…NOT!

By: Cait

Cait — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 12:49:15 +0000

Lumber, what in hell makes you think for a minute that the criminal element wouldn’t have a gun just because the law abiding citizen doesn’t. The law abiding citizen should have at least an equal chance in the equation. Criminals will manage to get illegal weapons. It’s one of the reasons they’re criminals. They are not at all loathe to do things that are against the law. When the opportunity for defense is removed from potential “victims”, then the criminal has complete control.

By: Lumberjack

Lumberjack — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 11:16:58 +0000

Hmmm, and if you believe ‘official’ crime stats from SA you’ll believe anything! Did you know that official stats are only release 6-12 months (sometimes later) after the year ended upon which they were based? This is not because ‘it’s SA and everything’s slower’, it’s a grace period to allow for proper statistical ‘analysis’ – which means adding a nice little fudge factor!

And as for crime in countries like NZ, give me a mugger/hijacker/home-invader/bankrobber armed with only a knife/broken bottle/brick/leg of lamb/mean disposition (as opposed to a .38/.40/.45/panga/9mm/R1/R4/R5/AK) any day, I’d welcome it!

Billy get your gun!

By: Miko

Miko — Mon, 03 Oct 2005 01:33:55 +0000

On the other hand, I’ve always felt that NZ has an extraordinarily high amount of petty crime, and violent street crime, as well. It puzzles me immensely that people regard NZ as such a safe country, when it really isn’t. I really think it’s because people equate “no handguns” with “no crime” which is wrong.