Managing Arms in South Africa

This document introduces 'Society Under Siege, Volume Three: Managing Arms in South Africa', a report by the Institute for Security Studies. It examines the transition of firearms from legal to illegal status, the failures of the Central Firearm Registry (where only 30% of records were accurate), and the social drivers of firearm demand. The report advocates for a combination of stricter government legislation and community-based initiatives to combat the culture of violence in South Africa.

• The proliferation of firearms in Africa was significantly influenced by the end of the Cold War, which led to the "dumping of weapons on the continent". The document notes that firearms are highly durable, meaning a single weapon's life span can last "many decades" as it transitions from legal to illegal status through various possessors in Southern Africa.
• Research into legal firearm ownership in South Africa suggests that civilian-owned firearms contribute to violent crime, suicides, and accidental deaths. The text argues against the claim that targeting legal owners is "unnecessary and misguided", suggesting instead that current legislation and policy governing civilian possession are insufficient.
• An audit of the Central Firearm Registry (CFR) revealed significant data inaccuracies, finding that only "three in ten licence holders" had correct information on record. Additionally, a docket analysis of 788 firearm-related cases indicated a need for better controls due to the "misuse and poor control of firearms" and the limited investigative capacity of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
• The demand for small arms in South Africa is described as being "socially constructed" and linked to identity-based violence and cultural forms. A survey conducted in the Lekoa/Vaal area south of Johannesburg indicated "strong community support for better firearm controls", leading to a recommendation for a "twin approach" involving both government and community action.

APA

Gamba, V., & Hansmann, C. (2000). Managing Arms in South Africa. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/books/01-oct-2000-society-under-siege-volume-three.-managing-arms-in-south-africa-v-gamba-c-hansmann-eds

Chicago

Gamba, Virginia, and Clare Hansmann. Managing Arms in South Africa. Institute for Security Studies, 2000. https://issafrica.org/research/books/01-oct-2000-society-under-siege-volume-three.-managing-arms-in-south-africa-v-gamba-c-hansmann-eds.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gamba |first1=Virginia |last2=Hansmann |first2=Clare |title=Managing Arms in South Africa |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=October 2000 |url=https://issafrica.org/research/books/01-oct-2000-society-under-siege-volume-three.-managing-arms-in-south-africa-v-gamba-c-hansmann-eds |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gamba2000managing, author = {Gamba, Virginia and Hansmann, Clare}, title = {{Managing Arms in South Africa}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2000}, month = oct, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/books/01-oct-2000-society-under-siege-volume-three.-managing-arms-in-south-africa-v-gamba-c-hansmann-eds}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }