The ManicaPost
Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa
THE importance of safeguarding our property remains key in our communities. It is very disheartening to lose within the blink of an eye valuables that have taken us years to acquire. We work tirelessly, losing sleep, time and energy in the process but fact remains people are losing property to some of society’s malcontents.
This edition of Crime Watch looks at the importance of safeguarding firearms. This is a special appeal that goes to people that have seen it wise to purchase firearms for the sole purpose of protecting their property. As police we have seen how this noble idea has turned out to be a tragedy of good intention when at the end of day the firearm falls into wrong hands. Firearms, as useful as they are, can actually turn out to be society’s number one enemy when holders or owners lapse into moments of care freeness and wanton irresponsibility.
The use and possession of firearms is governed by the Firearms Act Chapter 10:09.
We also take relief from the understanding that unlike in other countries where possession and use of firearms has gone out of control, the Zimbabwe situation is a totally different kettle of fish. Firearms are to a larger extend under control save for the few incidents were criminals who have had access to them use them to commit crime.
Police take a special interest this week to talk about the crime of Robbery committed using firearms (Armed Robbery) against a background where occurrence of the cases has remained static in almost all the five police districts in the province. It is for the simple need to maintain the status quo that we continue sounding wake up calls to suppress the occurrence of both criminal and incidental death of people arising from the use or custody of firearms. In Zimbabwe firearms are possessed by security organisations like the Police, the Army, Prisons and Correctional services or other private organisations that would have applied for and got the authority for reasons of securing property or protecting other interests. Private security companies and other individuals can also acquire firearms.
People intending to purchase firearms should understand that the law requires them to be lawful owners of that property by first securing firearm certificates. A firearm is possessed by a person who has undergone the relevant vetting process that establishes them as fit and proper to be in possession of the weapon. While firearms can be possessed by employees of an organisation in the course of their duties, firearms purchased by individuals cannot be given to another for use on loan basis that is to say a person cannot borrow a firearms for any reason.
It is also known that some individuals keep homemade firearms and use them for hunting game or other purposes. The firearms Act in addition to purchase, possession and sale of firearms also regulates their manufacture. Nobody should therefore be manufacturing firearms without following laid down conditions for such manufacture.
The following will also be necessary considerations for ensuring firearms are secured:
Firearm should be kept under lock and key. Holders of firearms are compelled by law to ensure that their firearms are secured all the time.
Nobody person the age of 14 shall accept as a gift or borrow a firearm.
No person under the age of 16 shall purchase or hire a firearm.
The following also constitute offences that are committed by holders of firearms:-
Carrying a firearm under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Pointing a firearm at another person.
Negligently or recklessly discharging a firearm.
Discharging a firearm in a public place
Failure to produce a firearm Certificate when required to do so by a police officer.
The above cited provisions and offences related to the acquisition, possession, purchase of firearms should place all of us in a position where we are able to properly take care of firearms under our custody. Negligent care or misuse of firearms does not only leave us at the mess of the law but equally leaves our communities susceptible to acts of criminal activity in which firearms are used.
It may also be important to note that there have been incidents where children have had access to firearms leading to serious injury or even deaths after attempting to operate them.
Let us all be responsible in taking care of any firearms that are in our possession.
Inserted by – ZRP Manicaland Press and Public Relations
