This publication is the result of a project set up and managed by the National Crime Prevention Centre (NCPC) Firearm Programme with the South African Police Service.
The issue of firearm proliferation is of great concern to South Africa with its burgeoning rate of violent crime accompanied by a compelling need for economic and social stability.
There is no doubt that the easy availability of firearms contributes to the high level of violence and violent crime. The Government has decided therefore to reduce the proliferation of firearms.
In trying to solve any problem, it is very important to understand the problem. The NCPC Firearm programme commissioned the collection of these statistics in order to understand the problem of firearm crime and violence. This is not just a matter of who knows most about how to load, handle or fire a gun. It is about what we know about how to increase public safety. Gun control is above all a public health and public safety issue, and the facts collected in this book contribute to our knowledge of these issues.
This book will be followed up with further research.
Dr B. L. Fanaroff
National Crime Prevention Centre