South African Firearm Forum Frequently asked questions

What is the SA Firearm Forum?

It is a discussion list dedicated to promoting firearm ownership and retention of rights.

The SA Firearm Forum arose from a need not covered by the then only firearms internet email list "SA-gunners", originally started by Dale Towert. A more focused and dedicated interest group in countering the falsehood of gun control was seen by Alex Holmes the SA Firearm Forum list owner and also National Firearms Forum chairman.

With small beginnings at the start of the millennium and much hope that others would see the same need, South African Firearm Forum has grown from strength to strength. Giving motivated people the chance to discuss and act on important issues relating to gun control and crime control.

Dedicated to raising public and government awareness of the fallacy and very real possibility of endangering people's lives with the results of gun control legislation. The forum members have enjoyed much success in being noticed and published by the media as well as gaining the attention of some political parties. This success needs to be built upon by the contribution of many more people concerned by the removal of rights and the high crime levels in South Africa. So that the public become aware of at least the very serious possibilities of increased crime in South Africa. As well as the governments' public façade and diversionary tactics of punishing licenced firearm owners for its failure to control crime.

My mail box is full, what can I do?

Change your subscription to digest, send a blank mail message to:

SAFirearmForum-digest@yahoogroups.com

I don't have time to read all the messages;
I am going on holiday and don't want to unsubscribe.

Change your subscription to web only, send a blank message to:

SAFirearmForum-nomail@yahoogroups.com

Is there a short cut to the forum messages

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SAFirearmForum/messages/?expand=1

You can set viscount=-X to any number. The default is -15.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SAFirearmForum/messages/?viscount=-25&expand=1

Can I change my email address?

Not directly. First unsubscribe from your old address and ISP and then subscribe using your new address and new ISP. If you forget to unsubscribe please contact the list owner or list moderator.

Can I search the old forum messages?

Yes, the website messages have a search facility.

Where can I find the other list server commands?

In the administrative posting you received when you joined and is posted each month.

To receive general help information, send a blank message to:

SAFirearmForum-help@yahoogroups.com

What is the Forum website address?

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SAFirearmForum/

What are the list rules?

These requests are designed to keep the list readable and pleasant to read, with the least amount of unnecessary traffic and bloat. The list moderator will expect you to comply with any or all of these requests.

• Quote only the relevant portion of the message you are replying to. Not the complete message.
• Try to hold down the 'one-liners' and reply directly to the sender if the topic isn't of general interest. Examples are "Me to", "I agree", "send me a copy" type messages.
• Do not send virus warnings, multi-level marketing schemes, chain letters, articles about proposed internet taxes or laws, or anything that was sent to you with the request to "send this to everyone you know". These are off topic and generally only start flame wars.
• Please mail personal comments to the person directly if you feel the need.
• If it doesn't have to do with firearms and related issues at all it doesn't belong on the list.
• Post a URL to long articles and a short summary.
• Don't include attachments, or send HTML or MIME; the firearm forum list is ASCII only (plain text); any such attachments will not be sent out. Please check your mailer send properties and make sure HTML is not checked and send plain text is.
• Advertising in list messages is not allowed.

SATalkGuns

Is for general firearms discussion
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SAtalkguns/
mailto:SAtalkguns-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

SAGuns4Sale

Is for sales and requests
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SAGuns4Sale/
mailto:SAGuns4Sale-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Is the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000) in force yet?

This Act has been passed by Parliament. Only some sections relating to air rifles and gun free zones have been implemented. The regulations are currently being written and will be available for public comment soon. The police are implementing firearm registration offices in some high density areas.

What is in the Act?

Copies of the act Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 are available from the government printer and in electronic form on the world wide web.

The SAFF Q&A explains many of these requirements

How will the Act affect me?

These are answered in the SAFF Q&A available in the files section of the SAFF website or by asking for a copy on the forum. You should make sure you have a copy so you can print it out and hand to your friends and fellow club members.

I want to write to the media, is there a list of addresses?

Yes, Kevin Duffy is keeper of the media list. There are two lists in the files section on the website. It is common practice of anyone writing to forward a copy to the forum.

How else can I help?

It is very important for members to report letters and articles that they see or hear in the media. Both as feed back to those who have written and to allow others to respond or reply.

There are literally hundreds of ways you can help from talking to your friends and people you meet to helping out with some of the projects members may take on.

Why should I bother, the government does not want my guns?

No, of course the government does not want your guns, it wants everybody's guns. Unfortunately the government does not know how to take away the criminals guns. It does know how to take law-abiding citizens guns.

How can I save my firearms from confiscation?

The simple answer is if you do nothing, then you will eventually lose all your firearms. You on your own can't, nor can any one person, only the combined efforts of many people can. That is why it is important for all firearms organisations and firearm owners to combine their efforts.

When introduced you can register as "dedicated" or "occasional" shooter. It will be considerably more inconvenient and expensive. This and the numerical limits will be used in future to disarm all law abiding South Africans.

What "rights" organisations should I join?

SAGA, the South African Gun Owners Association.

However you simply can't rely on paying a fee and sitting back expecting a few officials to do everything.

I need help with a firearm licence application or rejection.

If you need legal advice and are a SAGA member contact your SAGA representative.

More general questions can be asked on the forum.

I have been given/found/inherited a firearm, I don't think it is licenced, what do I do.

If it is possible you are breaking the law report it to the SAP immediately and they will check to see if it is licenced or stolen. Do not ask the forum what to do, you risk being arrested for not reporting it. Having the firearm in your possession is breaking the law, having knowledge of an unlicensed firearm is breaking the law. Depending on circumstances you may be able to licence it. You may need to consult an attorney familiar with firearms laws.

I need more information about the forum, who should I contact?

The list owner or the list moderator.

Who is the list owner?

Alex Holmes

"Alex Holmes" aholmes@global.co.za

Who is the list moderator?

Peter Moss

"Peter Moss" pmoss@yoda.alt.za

Comments and suggestions for addition to the FAQ are welcome. Please contact the moderator

Last update 21/9/2002