In response to growing concerns over firearm ownership and shooting incidents, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security has commenced the review of the Firearms Act.
In a ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu said the process has started with internal review before it can be subjected to consultations with other stakeholders.
Mr Mwiimbu said currently, the number of civilian firearms legally registered in Zambia is estimated to be at around 38,572.
The minister said the exact number of civilian-owned firearms is impossible to pinpoint because of a variety of factors, including guns that go unregistered, illegal trade, and regional conflicts.
“In the recent past, the country has witnessed an alarming rise in instances where firearms have been unlawfully discharged in public and private places,” he noted.
“Sadly, in some cases, life has been lost. Rarely has a month gone by without the awful news of unlawful firearm discharge in homes, nightclubs or other public places. Many communities, especially in high-density areas and rural places, are ravaged almost daily by gun violence that does not make the news headlines.”
Mr Mwiimbu said some individuals have been used to take out innocent lives in communities after being engaged as contract killers.
He said on the other hand, some individuals have taken their own lives using firearms, either legally owned or acquired through other means.
Mr Mwiimbu said these incidents are indelibly etched in people’s memories and have become taxing to law enforcement officers.
Zambia Daily Mail
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