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Notices
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Upcoming
events, competitions, etc
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| Contents:
(Date added shown in brackets)
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| AIM
Show 16-18 March 2007 |
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SAGA will once again be at the AIM Shooter
Show from 16-18 March 2007 from 9am-6pm (4pm on Sunday). The expanded
show has moved to a new venue - Nasrec Expocentre (Johannesburg).
You will be able to sign up as a SAGA
member or renew your SAGA membership at the stand - memberships will be
processed on the spot! We will have insignia for sale; leaflets on the
Amendment Bill and Firearm Licence Renewals; Safety Education leaflets
for parents; etc.
The annual raffle is a must. Generous
sponsors means amazing prizes and this year we have no less than FIVE
superb prizes. Tickets will only be available to current SAGA members at
the show - so make sure your membership is paid-up or join at the show.
Despite the substantial increase in the number and value of the prizes,
the cost of the tickets remains at just R40 each - for the third year in
a row. The draw will take place at 3pm on Sunday 18 March and the
winners will be notified by telephone. (This raffle is an AIM Show
initiative, no tickets will be sold elsewhere.)
FIRST prize is a one-of-a-kind
handmade skinning knife made by Steven Mackrill using Sandvik 12C27
steel hardened to 60RC and given a satin finish. The handle is Rhodesian
teak and giraffe bone. The knife comes in an imbuia case and with a
hand-tooled leather sheath. Valued at over R1,500 this beautiful knife
is something really special. (This knife will be revealed at the show.)

SECOND prize is a Leatherman
Nehalem lock-back folder. This sturdy knife, which comes with a Realtree
Camo pouch, is part of the new range from Awesome Tools and is valued at
R1,000. It is 11.5cm long, delivers 154CM (Crucible metal) cutting
performance, comes with a retractable gut hook and a detachable diamond
sharpener in the handle. The blade has been specially engraved with
"SAGA 2007 AIM SHOW".

THIRD prize is a pair of Buffalo
River 8x32 binoculars from African Hunting Supplies. The Guide series
are medium size binoculars, large enough to use all day, yet not too
bulky. Made with a BaK4 prism system, fully multicoated, is waterproof
and is supplied with an attractive deluxe case. This really useful prize
is valued at over R600.

FOURTH prize is a 4-Cell LED
Maglite from Ramrod Manufacturing. This Maglite has all the usual
quality one has come to expect from Maglite but features an LED globe
that has a rated life of 10,000 hours. This cutting edge technology has
an intelligent management system that will extend your battery life and
a focusable beam. Valued at over R550 this is a must-have prize.

FIFTH prize is an Iwatani Camping
Stove with three butane canisters also from African Hunting Supplies.
This portable gas stove can be taken anywhere and is quick and easy to
use. Iwatani is renowned for their safety, quality and reliability. This
handy prize is valued at R400.

Don't miss out - see you at the show!
Stand number 15B.
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| Licence
Renewal Imbizo's |
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Firearm Licence Renewal Imbizo's are to be
held as advertised in the "Sunday Times" on 20 August 2006:
The South African Police Service (SAPS)
together with the Safety and Security Sector Education Training
Authority (SASSETA), Security Industry Alliance (SIA) and Private
Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) invite all interested
stakeholders such as security service providers, training providers,
theatrical-, film- and television production companies, game ranchers,
persons who conduct business in hunting, and public museums who must
apply for the renewal of their existing firearm licences, permits or
authorisations in terms of the provisions of the Firearms Control Act,
2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000) to attend imbizo's that will be held in all
provinces as scheduled per table below.
The imbizo's will be facilitated by the
South African Police Service, SASSETA, PSIRA and SIA. The following
topics will be addressed:
- The renewal of firearm licences, permits or authorisations of
businesses
- The competency certification process both for the responsible person
and all persons who will utilize firearms from a juristic person
(business)
There is no cost involved to attend the
imbizo's but booking is essential. Kindly RSVP on tel 086 110 2477 or
via fax 086 683 6515. All imbizo's start at 09:30 for 10:00. www.saps.gov.za
| Province |
Town |
Venue |
Date |
| Limpopo |
Polokwane |
Bolivia Lodge |
28 Aug 2006 |
| North West |
Mmabatho |
Barolong Recreation
Complex |
30 Aug 2006 |
| Potchefstroom |
Ferdinand Postma
Highschool, Laynon Rd |
01 Sept 2006 |
| Free State |
Bloemfontein |
Kopana Nokeng Country
Lodge |
04 Sept 2006 |
| Northern Cape |
Kimberley |
City Hall |
05 Sept 2006 |
| Mpumalanga |
Middelburg |
Esdim Hall |
07 Sept 2006 |
| Nelspruit |
Emnothweni Arena |
08 Sept 2006 |
| Gauteng |
Ruimsig |
Roodepoort Country Club |
12 Sept 2006 |
| Edenvale |
Modderfontein Golf Club |
13 Sept 2006 |
| Western Cape |
Cape Town |
Good Hope Centre |
18 Sept 2006 |
| Eastern Cape |
Port Elizabeth |
Town Hall, Govan Mbeki
Str |
19 Sept 2006 |
| Mthatha |
Town Hall, York Rd |
22 Sept 2006 |
| KwaZulu-Natal |
Durban |
Durban Exhibition Centre |
20 Sept 2006 |
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| AIM
Show 24-26 March 2006 |
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SAGA's stand at the AIM Shooters Show from
24 to 26 March 2006 was a busy place to be. We processed 135 new
members, 162 renewing members and welcomed back 113 expired members.
Our raflle was once again a huge success with three wonderful prizes up
for grabs. The First Prize was a handcrafted "Guarded Hunter" knife
with a handstitched leather sheath
made by André Thorburn. Valued at R1,000 this
knife has the SAGA 21-year logo and is a one-of-a-kind collector's item.
The lucky winner was a pensioner from Pretoria who was extremely happy
with his win.

The Second Prize was donated by Ramrod, an Ultimate Outdoor / Off Road Vehicle
Survival Tool Kit in an Ultra compact bag. This was a popular item and
the proud winner, a member from Johannesburg, rushed back to the show
after the draw to collect his prize!

The Third Prize was donated by Leatherman, a K502X lockback folder knife and belt
sheath. This quality prize was also much sought after. This winner was
still at the show and so was able to claim his prize immediately. A
member visiting the show all the way from Durban!

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| Year
End Message |
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20 December 2005
SAGA is pleased to be able to inform you
that the Minister for Safety & Security has issued an important
statement about the implementation of the Firearms Control Act and the
renewal of firearm licences. The full text follows below but the two
most important points are:
1.
The deadline for firearm owners born in January, February or March to
apply to renew their licences has been extended from 31 December 2005 to
31 March 2006.
2.
Firearm licences issued under the (old) Arms & Ammunition Act of
1969 remain valid until 30 June 2009, but if those licences are NOT
renewed within the deadlines set according to month of birth, such
firearms will have to have been legally disposed of by 1 July 2009 or
surrendered to the SAPS.
The
statement and the forthcoming Government Gazette demand further study
and interpretation. We are also expecting the government to announce
other changes to the Act/Regulations and we will advise members in due
course. In the meantime, we suggest that those of you to whom the 31
March 2006 deadline now applies – and who wish to retain firearms
beyond 30 June 2009 – should take the prescribed test and start
preparing all the documentation for your application/motivation. Be
ready before the deadline, BUT check our website before handing in your
application as there may be a further Ministerial statement that could
perhaps radically change the whole convoluted procedure.
Note
also that – as we interpret it – if you now have, say, four
self-defence handguns and the current law allows you only one, you need
to apply to relicence only the one you most want to keep for the
duration. The other three licences remain valid, and you may thus keep
those firearms, until June 2009.
We
will try to keep you properly informed as the drama unfolds,
negotiations continue and the facts become clearer.
The
past year has been a very busy and somewhat frustrating one for SAGA and
we don’t expect 2006 to be much easier. With your support, however, we
will continue the battle over firearm ownership rights and for fair and
reasonable treatment. We regard the recently announced three month
extension as a small victory for common sense and perhaps a sign that
practical reality sometimes overcomes political ideology.
Please
do your best to recruit new members. The income received from membership
fees is what allows SAGA to function and the number of paid-up members
is what gives us credibility and ‘weight’ in meetings and
negotiations. Application forms are available from the office or online.
This
year’s AIM show at Kyalami was again a great success for SAGA and we
look forward to seeing you there on 24-26 March next year.
The
SAGA administration office will be closed from 15 December 2005 and will
reopen on Monday 16 January 2006.
Kind
regards and best wishes for a prosperous and safe 2006.
SAGA
Trustees
Link
here to the Ministerial
Statement
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| Twenty-Year
Knife |
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Did you know that SAGA was founded twenty
years ago in 1985?
To celebrate, a limited number of
Victorinox Biltong Knives have been purchased and engraved with the
special twenty-year logo.

These knives are available at R95.00 each
(including postage and packing) while stocks last.
Place your order today by contacting the office on telephone (031)
562-9951 (mornings only).
First come first served!
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| AIM
Show 4-6 March 2005 |
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10 March 2005
The
Mike Skellern knife was won by J Harmse from Gauteng - and boy was he a
happy winner!
As
part of our twenty-year celebrations we also launched the Victorinox Biltong Knife which has been
engraved with a special logo to celebrate 20-years of SAGA. Some of
these knives are still available and the price with postage and packing
is now R95. Order from the office if you would like one. (Picture
above.)
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| Gunsmith
Details Request |
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4 November 2004
The
SAGA office has been receiving a number of queries for gunsmiths
throughout South Africa. At present we have no comprehensive list of
gunsmiths and so we are now attempting to compile such a list.
*
If you are a gunsmith please let us have your details.
* If you know of a gunsmith in your area please send us the contact
information and we will get hold of them.
Details
Required:
Name
Postal Address
Street Address (where workshop is located)
Telephone, Cell and Fax numbers
Please
email information to saga@saga.org.za
or fax to (031) 562-0530.
Please
see the Gunsmiths page for the first
entries that have come in.
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| Symposium |
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Here follows a report which was
published in Magnum Magazine (October 2004).
CFR Takes the Dias
By Gail Osborne
The Firearms Control Act Symposium, organized by the Hibiscus
Chamber of Commerce & Industry on 1 September 2004, was a great
success. Final attendance on the day was 232 people all interested to
learn something more about the Act and how they would be affected by its
implementation. The audience consisted of ordinary citizens, farmers,
businessmen, as well as those with special interests in the Act, like
security companies, firearm dealers, gunsmiths and training providers.
These various interested parties came from as far afield as Durban,
Pietermaritzburg, and the Midlands as well as the Hibiscus Coast. The
Symposium was opened by Chamber President Diane van Dyk who proved to be
an excellent Chairperson and controlled the sometimes heated debate most
effectively.
Director Jaco Bothma of the Central Firearms Register, the
first of the official speakers, used a slide presentation to provide an
overview of the Act and Regulations.
He was followed by Senior Superintendent Lucky Lekgotla, also
from the CFR, who spoke about accreditation of training providers but
focused more on the accreditation of associations. He also announced
that Theta Seta (Tourism, Hospitality and Sport) would now manage the
unit standards and accreditation for the hunting and sport shooting
associations. This decision was only made on 31 August.
Hennie Richards, director of the Poslec Seta (Policing,
Correctional Services, Justice, Legal, Private Security), then gave a
slide presentation about training providers and their accreditation
requirements. He confirmed that the Poslec's "Certificate of
Learnership" which is to be issued to all who successfully undergo
a training course, will be available from the middle of September. The
certificate incorporates a 'counterfeit-proof' SAQA hologram -
especially produced in India, it shatters like a windscreen if tampered
with. At present there are 68 Poslec accredited training providers with
another 180 in the pipeline. [At time of writing only 25 of these have
full SAPS accreditation.] The cost of training courses are set by the
market (i.e. the trainers) and do vary considerably. Those requiring
training would be well-advised to shop around. Poslec is very concerned
about the dearth of accredited shooting ranges and is encouraging as
many range owners and trainers as possible to apply for the necessary
approval. The requirements are not unduly onerous.
The differences between the training needed to qualify for a
new licence, and that necessary for renewing an existing licence was
explained: New licence applicants have to undergo training on both
theory and practical handling and shooting before being assessed. To
renew a licence, you need only to pass the test on the theory of safe,
legal use of your firearm/s - the assumption is that your RPL
(Recognition of Prior Learning) is sufficient for you to bypass the
hands-on, practical training and testing. The curriculum for licence
renewals, which has been stipulated by the Commissioner, will soon be
distributed to training providers.
Paul Preston, a local legal man, gave a short talk on his
impression of the Act and its implications. Some of the examples he
presented provided much food for thought.
John Mowat from KwaZulu-Natal Hunting & Conservation Association
made a good presentation with the focus on hunting and the FCA.
Umzimkulu SAPS Area Commissioner Holloway gave an impromptu
speech about the Act. He felt the new Act would prevent the
proliferation of firearms in the area and that gun owners would now be
more accountable. He called for those present to support the Act and its
objectives.
Local DFO, Superintendent Reggy Pillay, discussed what procedures are in
place locally. He named the eight police stations in the area which can
handle firearms matters, and stated that they were ready with trained
staff, computers and sufficient vehicles.
The final speaker was SAGA representative Gail Osborne who directed some
of the most frequently asked questions to the panel for immediate
answers. Matters that were covered include inherited firearms; storage
of firearms in a family safe; lack of Appeals Board and the resultant
backlog of appeals; lack of answers to e-mails sent to the SAPS e-mail
address; lack of assistance to calls placed to the call centre; lack of
availability of printed copies of the Act and Regulations; lack of a
form to apply to be in possession of more than 200 cartridges, etc.
Questions were taken from the floor after each speaker.
Although firm answers were supplied to a numbr of questions, many more
remained unanswered or unclear - why perfectly good licence applications
are refused; why the reasons given for licence refusals are all the
same; why applications take so long; why the Appeals Board situation was
not predicted and dealt with in good time; how licence applicants are
going to prove a "need" for a firearm; why implementation of
the Act was not stalled until the SAPS and other bodies were properly
ready for its implementation, etc. When pressed on the safe-keeping
issue, Director Bothma could only refer to the Regulations (section
86(11)(b)) which state "exclusive access" to the safe/keys is
required. He would not go out on a limb and say you are a criminal whose
licence renewal would be refused if your wife/husband/son/daughter
(whether a licensed firearm owner or not) shared access to the "family
safe".
Director Bothma confirmed that no action would be taken
against licensed firearm owners who are presently in possession of more
than 200 rounds of ammunition (per licensed calibre), but suggested that
you shoot off, or sell (to a dealer - if you can find one who wants to
buy it) "surplus" ammunition before you have to renew existing
licences.
This symposium must be counted as a success, and its
organizers complimented for their initiative. However, the fact that
unambiguous answers could still not be supplied to so many practical
questions seems to be adequate proof that the Act and its implementation
is like the curate's reply to the famous 'egg question' - "It's
good in parts." By which the ever polite curate means, "It's
bad."
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| Firearm
Licence Fees |
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Government Gazette 22968 dated 2 January 2002 details the change in fees
payable as per Schedule O of the Arms and Ammunition Regulations. The
new fees came into effect on 2 January 2002. Here is a summary:
|
Circumstances for
which fee is payable |
New Fees |
| Application for a new
firearm licence (Section 3) |
R 120-00 |
| Application to be
declared a category person - collector, bona fide hunter, bona
fide sportsperson (Section 43) |
R 240-00 |
| Application for a
firearm licence after a person has been declared a category person
(Section 43) |
R
60-00 |
| Application for a copy
of a firearm licence (Section 6) |
R
60-00 |
| Application to deal only
in arms or ammunition |
R 600-00 |
| Application for a
dealers licence (Section 19) |
R1200-00 |
| Application for a
temporary licence to deal in arms and ammunition and to exhibit
(Section 19A) |
R 480-00 |
| Application for the
transfer of a dealers licence (Section 20) |
R 480-00 |
| Application for
registration as a gunsmith |
R 600-00 |
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| Deregulation
of Airguns |
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Also in Government Gazette No. 22968 is the
notice deregulating airguns as follows:
Notice in terms of
section 1(2) of the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1969 (Act No. 75 of 1969)
By virtue of the powers vested
in me by section 1(2) of the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1969 (Act No. 75 of
1969), I, Stephen Vukile Tshwete, Minister of Safety and Security, hereby
amend paragraph (a) of the definition "arm" in section 1 of the
Arms and Ammunition Act, 1969 (Act No. 75 of 1969), by excluding from the
said paragraph the class of instruments mentioned in the Schedule attached
hereto.
Schedule
1. Any rifle, pistol or revolver manufactured to discharge a bullet or any
other projectile -
(1) of a calibre of less than 5,6mm (.22 calibre);
or
(2) at a muzzle energy of 8 joules (6 ft-lbs) or
less,
by means of compressed gas and not by means of burning propellant; and
2. a paintball gun.
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| Winners |
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The first five prize winners have been drawn and are:
HC Rabie - a Columbia River lockback folder from Sharp Edge
D de Jager - a one-year subscription to Magnum
WJH Louw - a one year subscription to Magnum
JJ Venter - a sleeping bag from Pertinax
KT Krobath - a Cold Steel folder from Bbobb
For details on how to win read below....
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| Recruit
and Win! |
|
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors YOU could win great Magnum-style prizes in time for Christmas! And you’ll be helping add
much-needed ‘muscle’ to our membership numbers! (Which means YOU win
again.)
We
have been promised lots of lovely prizes to give, by lucky draw, to
those of you who recruit new members for us. For every 200 full members
recruited, we will draw ten prizes; you have a one in twenty chance of
winning a valuable prize, but ALL gunowners WIN by having a stronger SAGA
to look after all their interests.
-
Sharp
Edge is donating two lockback folders by CRKT;
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Pertinax is donating a Gold Medal sleeping bag;
and
-
a Casco expandable baton;
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Bbobb is donating firearm/hunting books and Cold Steel knives;
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Charl van Wyk is donating 5 copies of his new book "Shooting Back:
the right and duty of self-defence"
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Magnum is donating subscriptions and binders ...
And
that’s not all ...
If your response warrants it, it should be easy for us to find more
sponsors willing to support our cause by giving more great prizes.
DO
IT NOW –
the sooner the first 200 are in, the sooner we’ll have the FIRST draw,
with a higher than average prize value!
Please
read the fine print:
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You may recruit yourself if you are a lapsed member!
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Only paid-up
SAGA members may
enter.
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You get one chance for every new paid-up full member recruited.
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Make sure that your name and membership number appears on the
application form of everyone you recruit.
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Prizes may not be exchanged for cash or other goods.
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The winners’ names will be published in Magnum and in SAGA’s
Newsletter asap after each draw.
All
an entry will ‘cost’ you is a little bit of gumption – go out
there and recruit your friends and colleagues. If they do not appreciate
the necessity of belonging to a strong and active association – the October
Bulletin should ‘prove’ how SAGA is beavering away in their
interests.
Please
contact the office with any enquiries or to offer extra prizes!
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