I don't own a gun. In my opinion the invention of the firearm marks one of the low points in humankind's quest for civilisation. But, for once, I find myself siding with all those zealous gun-owners, who stridently proclaim their right to bear arms ? the government's new four-month firearm grace period is bloody stupid.

Unless you happen to have forgotten about the hunting rifle you inherited from your grandfather or you were just so darn busy over the past few years that you forgot to renew your licence, you are not likely to be making use of the government's exercise in generosity.

But, I'm jumping the gun. Let's recap: the government has implemented this amnesty period in the hopes of decreasing the number of illegal firearms on the streets. Illegal. But, despite the misleading moniker, this period of? erm? amnesty comes with a catch.

When you dutifully hand your firearm over to the police, you will need to provide some sort of identification. Apparently the Police Ministry plans to conduct ballistic tests on all of the surrendered firearms (yes, I know, this made me chuckle too) and if your firearm has been used in a crime at some point in the past (so, scratch those inherited firearms from the list), you will be investigated and arrested.

Now there's motivation.

You're a criminal. Or not. You have a gun that may or may not have been involved in a crime at some point in time. Would you:

• Hand it in to the police during the period of amnesty and face (almost) certain jail time.


• Get rid of it. Rubbish dumps and deep rivers are attractive options.


• Wait for the next amnesty period to roll around.


• Hang on to it, knowing that your chances of actually getting caught are pretty slim.

Tough choice.

Why bother with the amnesty at all? How much is really going to change between now and April? Those who haven't already handed their firearms in aren't suddenly about to leap up and do so because Bheki Cele, guns blazing, has threatened that failing to do so will make life "really, really rough".

In fact, if anything, all it does is portray those leading the Police Ministry as a bunch of spineless morons who have no idea whatsoever about how to tackle the out-of-control problem of illegal gun ownership in South Africa. And let's face it, a good number of the guns that end up on the streets once sat snugly in some police officer's holster. Yip, for the boys in blue, this latest attempt at amnesty is nothing more than a shot in the dark.

So, cut the bull. Get out there and start arresting those wielding unlicensed firearms. It's not rocket science: focus on the criminals instead of the guns and you may just inadvertently reduce the number of illegal weapons on the streets.

Because, at the moment, the Police Ministry's just shooting blanks.

What do you think about the firearm amnesty period? Share your thoughts below...