SA firearm licence applications surge by 70% in six years

South Africa is witnessing a sharp rise in firearm licence applications.

According to SAPS annual reports, new firearm licence applications increased from 99,000 in 2018/19 to 167,000 in 2024/25, a rise of nearly 70% in six years.

Competency assessment applications also climbed from 154,000 to 193,000 during the same period.

This comes as the country continues to battle high levels of violent crime, with more than 70 murders recorded daily.

And also, while the debate intensifies over whether more civilian-owned guns improve personal safety, or it increases the risk of gun violence.

We're joined by Dr. Stanley Maphosa, Executive Director of Gun Free South Africa (GFSA), Paul Oxley, Chairman of Gun Owners South Africa and Nirmala Gopal, Professor in Criminology at UKZN's Criminology and Forensic Studies.

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