16 Jun 2019

The annual raffle draw for permits to acquire firearms has seen 50 applications go through to the vetting stage after being drawn from a total of 9 454 applications.

In her welcome remarks at the raffle draw in Gaborone on June 14, deputy police commissioner-operations, Ms Dinah Marathe explained that the 50 applications would be subjected to a vetting process to ascertain their suitability to be issued permits.

Ms Marathe, who chaired the Arms Quota Board, indicated that some circumstances could lead to disqualification, among them, having previous convictions for crimes involving the use of violence.

Furthermore, she stated that an applicant with unsound mind would also not be eligible for a shotgun permit.

Describing firearms as highly sensitive tools, the deputy commissioner noted that there was need for vigilant and stringent measures in the issuance of permits of ownership particularly since some of them could end up being used for perpetration of various serious crimes.

She said despite the advent of technology having brought many positive developments, it was vital for different custodians of peace to be able to effectively control proliferation and acquisition of illegal arms and ammunition.

“It is very possible for unscrupulous arms manufacturers to use the available technology to manufacture and to traffic illegal arms throughout the world. Some of these arms, including those legally manufactured, end up being used for the perpetration of various serious crimes against innocent victims,’ she said. The annual raffle draw for permits to acquire firearms has seen 50 applications go through to the vetting stage after being drawn from a total of 9 454 applications.

In her welcome remarks at the raffle draw in Gaborone on Thursday, deputy police commissioner-operations, Ms Dinah Marathe explained that the 50 applications would be subjected to a vetting process to ascertain their suitability to be issued permits.

Ms Marathe, who chaired the Arms Quota Board, indicated that some circumstances could lead to disqualification, among them, having previous convictions for crimes involving the use of violence.

Furthermore, she stated that an applicant with unsound mind would also not be eligible for a shotgun permit.

Describing firearms as highly sensitive tools, the deputy commissioner noted that there was need for vigilant and stringent measures in the issuance of permits of ownership particularly since some of them could end up being used for perpetration of various serious crimes.

She said despite the advent of technology having brought many positive developments, it was vital for different custodians of peace to be able to effectively control proliferation and acquisition of illegal arms and ammunition.

“It is very possible for unscrupulous arms manufacturers to use the available technology to manufacture and to traffic illegal arms throughout the world. Some of these arms, including those legally manufactured, end up being used for the perpetration of various serious crimes against innocent victims,’ she said.

Still on safety, Ms Marathe appealed to those who would be issued with permits as well as those who already owned firearms to keep them safe to ensure that they did not fall into the wrong hands, saying keeping arms and ammunition safe was part of the provisions of the Arms and Ammunition Act.

She said with the police continuing to receive reports of stolen firearms, it was imperative that firearm owners took all reasonable precautions to ensure that they were not made available to any persons not lawfully entitled to possess them.

A member of the Arms Quota Board, Mr Jack Sewagodimo, also emphasised the importance of safe handling of firearms as they had the potential to cause a lot of harm.

Mr Sewagodimo further thanked government for affording citizens an opportunity to own shotguns so as to protect themselves and their property. ENDS