Steven Mace
05-19-2002, 08:26 PM
Over 34 000 apply for fire arms
16 May, 2002
Botswana police say the number of people applying for firearms has increased from 29 378 last year to 34 848 this year.
Speaking at the start of the arms quota raffle draw held at Broadhurst police on Monday, chairman of Arms and Quota Board Edwin Batshu said the raffle was an annual event at which 400 successful applicants - 200 for shotguns and 200 for rifles - are chosen.
Batshu, who is also deputy commissioner of the Botswana Police Service, said records at the Central Arms Registry indicated that from the total, 185 permits were issued for shotguns and 183 for rifles while seven and 14 applicants for shotguns and rifles were disqualified due to previous convictions.
Five successful applicants for shotguns and two for rifles did not respond. He said a total of four successful applicants, three for shotguns and one for rifles, could not respond as they had died.
Any applicants of a sound mind, 18-years-old and without a criminal record, qualify for the arms quota draw.
He urged successful applicants to safeguard their weapons so they do not fall into wrong hands.
It was inexcusable for one to have his/her firearm stolen. If the stolen firearm were used in a crime, the owner would be guilty of an offence and could be fined P500, given a prison term not exceeding six months or both.
The police chief warned those using the weapons on criminal activities that anyone caught would be charged and the firearm confiscated. He said if one intended to leave the firearm at the cattle post with herdboys, a temporary licence should be obtained.
Batshu said police believed that it was imperative to train successful applicants on the use of firearms but the programme had not taken off. He, however, said it would be carried out in the near future.
To acquire a firearm, one is required to register with the Central Arms Registry and thereafter buy from registered local dealers.
The certificate issued to a successful applicant is renewed every five years. BOPA
http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20020516&i=Over_34_000_apply_for_fire_arms
Steve Mace
16 May, 2002
Botswana police say the number of people applying for firearms has increased from 29 378 last year to 34 848 this year.
Speaking at the start of the arms quota raffle draw held at Broadhurst police on Monday, chairman of Arms and Quota Board Edwin Batshu said the raffle was an annual event at which 400 successful applicants - 200 for shotguns and 200 for rifles - are chosen.
Batshu, who is also deputy commissioner of the Botswana Police Service, said records at the Central Arms Registry indicated that from the total, 185 permits were issued for shotguns and 183 for rifles while seven and 14 applicants for shotguns and rifles were disqualified due to previous convictions.
Five successful applicants for shotguns and two for rifles did not respond. He said a total of four successful applicants, three for shotguns and one for rifles, could not respond as they had died.
Any applicants of a sound mind, 18-years-old and without a criminal record, qualify for the arms quota draw.
He urged successful applicants to safeguard their weapons so they do not fall into wrong hands.
It was inexcusable for one to have his/her firearm stolen. If the stolen firearm were used in a crime, the owner would be guilty of an offence and could be fined P500, given a prison term not exceeding six months or both.
The police chief warned those using the weapons on criminal activities that anyone caught would be charged and the firearm confiscated. He said if one intended to leave the firearm at the cattle post with herdboys, a temporary licence should be obtained.
Batshu said police believed that it was imperative to train successful applicants on the use of firearms but the programme had not taken off. He, however, said it would be carried out in the near future.
To acquire a firearm, one is required to register with the Central Arms Registry and thereafter buy from registered local dealers.
The certificate issued to a successful applicant is renewed every five years. BOPA
http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20020516&i=Over_34_000_apply_for_fire_arms
Steve Mace