School Shooting

Contents: Ministry of Education 1/4/2003 Ministry of Education 1st Ministry of Education 2nd Saga Press Release
Ministry of Education 1/4/2003
Date: 01/04/2003 Source: Ministry of Education Title: Asmal: Target Shooting as a school sport ----------------------------------------------------- STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, PROFESSOR KADER ASMAL, ON TARGET SHOOTING AS A SCHOOL SPORT, 1 April 2003 On the 12 March 2003 I issued a statement on the public debate following the announcement by the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) that we would be promoting the development of target shooting as a sport in schools, and ensuring that schools from disadvantaged areas would also have access to the sport. In that statement I promised that as a result of the public attention that has been given to the matter, I would hold further consultations with my colleagues, the Ministers for Safety and Security and Defence, as well as the associations I had met on the subject previously. I have now held these discussions, and all of us have reached an understanding on how to take the matter forward. The meeting with the Ministers was also attended by the Commissioner of Police, as well as two of his senior officials. I must say that the meeting clearly indicated that all of us agree on the need for us to develop the sport, and to make it much more representative. The police brought up new information, which the CEM and I were not aware of at the time we took the decision regarding the .22 rifles that had been given to the schools by the South African Defence Force (SANDF). They presented a document showing that a number of education institutions, including many schools, own different types of guns, including high calibre guns, and rifles. What is most disturbing, is that some of these guns are either lost or stolen, and can no longer be accounted for. It was the view of the police therefore, that they needed to audit all guns that are in the possession of education institutions, as part of their campaign to reduce the number of guns in the hands of private citizens. This campaign has also involved the retrieval of guns that are in the possession of government departments, and is in line with the new legislation on the licensing of guns. In the context of this therefore, it was necessary for the SANDF to retrieve its guns and all related property from the schools, as part of its responsibility for all property issued to the defence force. All of the Ministers agreed therefore, that it was critical for this step to be taken, as it was both required by our own legislation, and was in line with our government's position on the proliferation of guns. I must emphasise that this step is not meant as a comment on how the shooting associations have looked after the property of the state, and does not suggest that any of the rifles in their possession are now in wrong hands. That will have to be established as the defence force audits its property given to schools. Our discussions also looked at the sport itself and how it can be promoted. Again we all agreed that the approach of the Ministry of Education to ensure that all schools are declared gun-free zones must continue to be the guiding principle on these matters. The police therefore suggested that the sport must move more towards the use of air guns created specifically for this sport, and where it was necessary for learners to move to advanced training, then they could join professional clubs that are licensed for this purpose. The South African Police Service emphasised that these air guns did not need any licensing in terms of the new legislation. All of us agreed that we would assist the schools to move in this direction, in line with our policy objectives to make schools gun free zones. I am pleased to report that in my meeting with the shooting associations to report to them about my meeting with the Ministers, they presented their own plans regarding the use of air guns, and requested me to assist them in following up certain matters relating to this, which I will do. I also agreed to consult with the Minister of Sport, with a view to getting our two departments to lead a task team that would look at how we can ensure that the sport does not lose the momentum it has gained, as results of the decision to recall all SANDF equipment. I will therefore be approaching my colleague in line with the agreement between the two departments to work cooperatively on matters related to school sport. I am very keen to have this task team established as soon as possible. I want to reiterate that as a Ministry we take seriously our responsibility to promote the values enshrined in our Constitution, and we will continue to work with Sports South Africa, and all the relevant role players, to ensure that school sport is developed on a non-racial basis, allowing access to those that have been previously excluded. I also wish to reiterate that we have never deviated from our policy to declare schools gun free zones, even as we were seeking to make target shooting accessible to all. Our position remains that schools must be rid of all dangerous weapons or substances. The Ministry for Safety and Security and ourselves will soon be announcing regulations in this regard. I therefore urge all South Africans to work with us to rid schools of harmful substances like drugs, and dangerous weapons. Enquiries: Molatwane Likhethe on 082 573 0397 Issued by Ministry of Education 1 April 2003
Ministry of Education 1st
From: www.gov.za - speeches Date: 10/03/2003 Source: Ministry of Education Title: Asmal & Lekota discuss target shooting as a school sport EDUCATION AND DEFENCE MINISTERS ON TARGET SHOOTING AS A SCHOOL SPORT On Wednesday, 7 March 2003 the Ministers of Education and of Defence met in Cape Town to discuss the matter of target shooting as a school sport. The meeting of the Ministers is a sequel to the decision of the Council of Education Ministers approving target shooting as a school sport, a pursuit at which South Africa has won many medals at international competitions. The Ministers of Education and of Defence noted the decision of the Council of Education Ministers and a representation made to the Minister of Education by the South African National Shooters Union (SANSSU) and the South African Target Rifle Association. The Ministers also discussed the utilisation of the .22 rifles that are currently in the possession of approximately 266 public schools. The Ministers resolved that * The ownership of the .22 rifles will be transferred from the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Education. * The .22 rifles will be issued as gifts to schools. * The Ministry of Defence will make available some of its recreational ranges for shooting as a sport. * The weapons currently in the possession of the schools will remain, in the interim, with such school until a policy has been developed where these weapons could be kept and made accessible to all learners. The possibility of providing the weapons at a district level will be investigated. * The Ministry of Education will approach the Ministry for Safety and Security to discuss the licensing of the weapons. * SANSSU, the South African Target Rifle Association working in conjunction with the United South African School Sport Association (USSASA) should develop a code of conduct and ensure that the sport is accessible to all, especially those who were previously excluded. * The two school shooting associations should develop a business plan to ensure that the sport is extended to all those who were previously excluded and to regulate how they would be represented through collective structures and within the school sport policies. * Learners from disadvantaged schools and communities should be involved in the sport and no quota system must be used, as this will limit opportunities to those learners who have not been exposed to the sport. * USSASA will be approached to assist in the transformation of the two school shooting associations into truly non-racial bodies that will embrace our democratic values. * The Minister of Defence will consider responding to the Minister of Education's request that rifles (and ammunition) that were redundant for South African National Defence Force use would be available for distribution to schools. The Ministers further agreed that officials from the Departments of Education and Defence should work out the modalities of the transfer, ownership and control of the weapons. Contact: Molatwane Likhethe on 082 573 0397 Issued by Ministry of Education 10 March 2003
Ministry of Education 2nd
Date: 12/03/2003 Source: Ministry of Education Title: Asmal to consult further on target shooting as school sport MINISTER OF EDUCATION KADER ASMAL TO HOLD FURTHER CONSULTATIONS ON TARGET SHOOTING AS A SPORT AT CERTAIN SCHOOLS It is unfortunate that some news reports have created the impression that the Education Department is about to extend target shooting as a sport to all schools in South Africa and that schools are about to be issued with guns, or more precisely sporting .22 rifles. The sport has existed in certain schools for many years and while the Ministry of Education recognises that South Africa consists of many diverse cultures, backgrounds and sporting codes, concern has been expressed over the last year about the nature of the sport at schools. The intention, therefore, of the Council of Education Ministers was specifically to regulate the sport as it currently exists and to ensure that it complies with properly constituted sporting codes, including as an officially recognised Olympic sport in which South Africa participates . Currently the sport exists at approximately 260 historically white schools in South Africa. The Ministry is adamant that if it is to continue being recognised as a school sport it must conform to the applicable sporting codes of conduct and the principles of non-racialism. To this end only schools where the sport currently exists have been encouraged to ensure participation of previously disadvantaged students. It should be further emphasised that all target rifles currently being used are properly stored in secure conditions and that no unauthorised use has been reported nor have any injuries resulted as has occurred with certain other sports such rugby. The Education Department will also ensure that all rifles have been properly licensed. Unlike certain martial arts' sports target shooting is not designed to engender a sense of violence, malevolence or militarism. This was ensured some years back when it was separated from the cadets system. Ultimately the cadet system at schools was abolished. Furthermore, the Ministry is concerned by public perceptions and the connotations attached to the sport especially in relation to the Ministry's commitment to gun-free schools and the violence that affects so many of our communities. If in any way target shooting as a school sport had contributed to this situation the sport would not have been allowed to continue. However, given comments and concerns that have emanated from both the public and from certain officials the Minister of Education has decided to hold further consultations with the Ministers of Safety and Security and of Sport as well as the relevant national sporting bodies responsible for the sport on the future and nature of the sport at public schools. Further enquiries: Allan Taylor, Special Adviser to the Minister on 072.200.5900 Issued by Ministry of Education 12 March 2003 (GCIS)
SAGA Press Release 11/3/03
PRESS RELEASE The South African Gunowners' Association commends Minister Kadar Asmal on his decision to continue and expand target shooting as a school sport. The Minister has made a balanced and well informed decision on this issue. It is regrettable that many of the critics of this decision are not as well informed. Particularly the victim disarmament lobby with their attempts to mislead the public and further their political agenda. Target shooting is a major international sport and one that South Africa has always proudly excelled in. Apart from the purely sporting aspects of this project it will have many side benefits for our youth. Target shooting requires immense amounts of concentration and self discipline, characteristics that become valuable core life skills. Experience worldwide has shown these skills to be transferred to participants and reflect in all aspects of their lives. The false impression has been created that in some way this might aggravate the South African crime situation. The reality is quite the opposite as is substantiated by considerable research around the world. In particular an extensive study into juvenile delinquency conducted by the US Dept. of Justice has shown that the group least likely to commit any form of crime or delinquency are those youths who have been introduced to firearms through legitimate channels. During the several years of this study not a single crime was committed by such a youth, in stark contrast with those who accessed firearms on the street or even those who had no contact with firearms at all. Confusion has been deliberately created by referring to rifles belonging to the SANDF. The rifles used in these sports have nothing to do with those used by the military and are in no way related to military firearms. These target rifles are low powered, small calibre, single shot rifles, specialised for this purpose. Indeed much of this project will be conducted using airguns that are not even firearms and which do not require any form of licensing. Another false concern that has been raised is that of safety and possible accidents. Even the briefest examination of the facts shows this to be totally unjustified. Several hundred schools are already active in target shooting. We estimate that they fire in excess of a million shots every month. This has been going on for years without a single documented incident. An absolutely impeccable safety record. By comparison sports such as soccer or rugby result in far more injuries. Simply riding to school on a bicycle is several thousand times more likely to result in an injury to children. Despite the absolutely perfect safety record of the shooting sports there may be some uninformed concern around firearms in society in general. The latest figures available show six accidental firearm deaths for the whole of South Africa per year. Although this is a low figure it is an issue that can and should be addressed. The question is then how this can best be accomplished. Do we simply pretend it doesn't exist and leave our precious children ignorant? Or do we take the route used in addressing other safety issues such as HIV/AIDS, and inform and educate our children? SAGA strongly supports the latter course of action. Return to Top of Page