Firearms Control Act Knowledge key terms

The principal South African statute regulating who may own, possess, use, trade in and store firearms and ammunition, and which creates the licensing system, offences and police enforcement powers.

Any device designed or adapted to discharge a bullet or projectile through a barrel by the action of an explosive or other propellant, together with its barrel and frame or receiver as the Act defines it.

A complete round of ammunition - cartridge case, primer, propellant and bullet - and any component parts that can be assembled into such a round; a licence normally covers ammunition for the firearm held.

The unique identifying number stamped on a firearm's frame or receiver, recorded on the licence, the dealer's records and the national register, and used to trace ownership and detect theft.

A written authorisation issued by the Registrar for one identified firearm in a particular licence category, allowing the named holder to possess it subject to the conditions and period stated in the Act.

A certificate issued by the Registrar confirming that a person has completed the prescribed training and passed the knowledge, practical and background checks showing fitness to possess a firearm.

A police official at a police station whom the National Commissioner designates to receive licence and competency applications, inspect premises and safes, and perform the administrative duties the Act assigns.

A licence letting a person who is not a dedicated hunter or sports shooter keep one firearm, usually a handgun, for self-defence, subject to stricter conditions on its use and storage.

A person who hunts or takes part in sports shooting from time to time rather than as a dedicated member of an accredited association, and who may hold a limited number of firearms on that basis.

A person recognised as dedicated by an accredited hunting or sports shooting association, which allows a wider number and range of firearms to be licensed for that purpose.

A permit letting a person who holds no licence for a firearm possess and use one temporarily for a stated purpose, such as a hunting trip or competition, for a limited period.

The application made before an existing licence expires to keep the same firearm for a further term; if it is not lodged in time the licence lapses and the firearm must be surrendered or lawfully disposed of.

The remedy open to an applicant whose licence, competency or renewal is refused: a written appeal to the Minister of Police, with reasons, within the period and in the manner the Act prescribes.

A ground of justification where a person uses force to protect life, bodily integrity, property or another legally protected interest against an unlawful attack that has begun or is immediately imminent.

A ground of justification where a person breaks the law to avert a greater imminent danger that cannot otherwise be avoided, provided the harm caused is not disproportionate to the harm prevented.

The standard of care an ordinary prudent firearm owner is expected to meet; a court compares the accused's conduct with it when deciding whether harm was caused negligently.

The requirement that force used in defence be no more than reasonably necessary to stop the unlawful attack, judged on the facts as the defender honestly and reasonably believed them to be.

The mental element of a crime: intention for most offences and negligence where the law punishes carelessness, as with reckless or negligent handling or storage of a firearm.

The unlawful and negligent causing of another person's death; the usual charge where a firearm is handled or discharged carelessly and someone is killed without any intention to kill.

The moving mechanism of a firearm - bolt, slide, lever or pump - that feeds a cartridge into the chamber, fires it, and extracts and ejects the empty case.

The rear part of the barrel that holds a cartridge in place for firing; verifying that it is empty is the essential first step whenever a firearm is picked up or handed over.

The internal diameter of a firearm's barrel and, by extension, the name of the cartridge the firearm is designed to fire; using the wrong calibre ammunition is dangerous.

Spiral grooves cut inside a barrel that spin the bullet for stability and accuracy, and whose individual marks on a recovered bullet allow forensic comparison with a suspect firearm.

A device that blocks the trigger, sear or firing pin so the firearm cannot fire while the safety is engaged; it supplements but never replaces the basic rules of safe handling.

A cartridge that fires weakly and leaves the bullet stuck in the barrel; the shooter must stop, keep the muzzle in a safe direction and clear the obstruction before firing again.

The habit of keeping a firearm's muzzle pointed where a discharge would harm no person or property, maintained even when the firearm is believed to be unloaded.

The duty to keep a firearm in a locked safe or strongroom meeting the prescribed standard whenever it is not being carried or used, with the key or combination under the holder's sole control.

Moving a firearm between lawful places with the licence or permit at hand, carried unloaded and in a closed case or locked compartment so that it is not readily accessible or visible.

A firearm that the Act bans civilians from possessing altogether, such as a fully automatic firearm or one designed to be disguised as another object, regardless of any licence.

A firearm that the Act places in a more tightly controlled class than ordinary firearms, so that only particular licences may be issued and stricter conditions govern its possession and use.

A finding by a court or the Registrar that a person is unfit to possess a firearm - because of a serious conviction, mental illness, drug dependence or violent conduct - which blocks a licence or competency.

The national police database recording licences, competency certificates, firearm serial numbers, dealers, manufacturers and transactions, used to trace firearms and verify who may lawfully hold them.

Authorisation to trade in firearms and ammunition, granted only after inspection of the premises and secure storage, and carrying duties to record every transaction and report losses.

The book or electronic record a dealer, manufacturer or gunsmith must keep of every firearm received, worked on, sold or disposed of, including serial numbers and the buyer's licence details, open to police inspection.

A person licensed to repair, modify or build firearms, who must keep records of the firearms in his custody, the work performed on them and their return to the lawful owner.

The police power to take a firearm, ammunition or licence document into custody on lawful grounds - such as an unlicensed, unsafe or suspected stolen firearm - pending investigation or a court order.

Permanent loss of a firearm to the State, ordered by a court or effected under the Act where the holder is unfit or unlicensed, or where the firearm is prohibited or was used in crime.

A period declared by the Minister during which people may hand in unlicensed, unwanted or illegally held firearms and ammunition without being prosecuted for unlawful possession.