The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa presently represents about 2 500 Field Guides (otherwise known as Rangers). A large proportion of these, in addition to the Guides not represented by our Association, need to carry heavy calibre firearms when guiding tourists in areas where potentially dangerous animals occur. These areas, and the number of guides operating in these areas, are continually on the increase as more and more people gear themselves for increased tourism - one of the National priorities.

The two main concerns are:

Under the present Draft Legislation these persons would have to apply for a license under either Section 17: License to possess a firearm for occasional hunting or Section 18: License to possess a firearm for dedicated hunting, in which case they would have to belong to a hunting association. Another alternative would probably be Section 19: License to possess a firearm for dedicated sports-shooting.

Many, if not most of our members will never do any hunting, and it is unrealistic to expect them to belong to a hunting association.

We propose that this section should read:

(1) A firearm in respect of which a licence may be issued in terms of this sections is any -

(a) handgun with a minimum calibre as specified by an accredited field- or wilderness tourist guides association for defence against potentially dangerous wild animals in case of emergency only;

(b) rifle which is not fully automatic and with a minimum calibre as specified by an accredited field- or wilderness tourist guides association;

(c) barrel, frame or receiver of a handgun or rifle contemplated in paragraph (a) or (b)

(2) The Registrar may issue a licence in terms of this section to a dedicated field- or wilderness tourist guide if the application is accompanied by an affidavit from the chairperson or chief executive officer of an accredited field- or wilderness tourist guides association stating that the applicant is a registered member of that association, is a registered tourist guide according to the Tourism Act of 2001 and has demonstrated the necessary competency to use such firearm.

(3) The Registrar may issue further licences in terms of this section to a dedicated field- or wilderness tourist guide who requires a further firearm for tourist guiding purposes and whose application is supported by an affidavit from the chairperson or chief executive officer of the accredited field- or wilderness tourist guides association of which the applicant is a member.

(4) A firearm in respect of which a licence has been issued in terms of this section may only be used -

(a) for purposes of protecting tourists or other persons while guiding or escorting such persons on foot or on open vehicles in areas where potentially dangerous animals occur in accordance with the rules of the accredited field- or wilderness tourist guides association of which the applicant is a member;

(b) for sporting purposes on premises of an accredited shooting range in accordance with the rules of that shooting range; and

(c) to practice on premises of an accredited shooting range in accordance with the rules of that shooting range, or in or on any other prescribed place.

(5) Every accredited field- or wilderness tourist guides association must -

(a) keep a register which contains such information as may be prescribed; and

(b) submit an annual report to the registrar which contains such information as may be prescribed.

We propose the following:

(i) that an additional category be added to Section 23(2) which should read:

(f) a person or company who is accredited to conduct business in tourist guiding on foot or in open vehicles in areas where potentially dangerous animals occur;

(ii) that the following category be included under Section 23 (5):

(c) A person or company specified in Section 23(2)(f) above which holds a licence to possess a firearm for business use may only provide the firearm to a field- or wilderness tourist guide in its service who holds a competency certificate;

(iii) that the license proposed as Section 23(2)(f) be included as such under Section 30 (TABLE - PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF LICENCE OR PERMIT) as: Licence to possess firearm for business purposes: Business in tourist guiding in areas where potentially dangerous animals occur, and that the licence have a period of validity of Five years.