By The South African Professional Firearm Trainers Council
JOHANNESBURG, 14 February 2023 – With the recent killing of music rapper “AKA” and Activist Ayob Mungalee as well as other members of the community the PFTC deemed it necessary to communicate a short view on this, based on the comments and media reports currently circulating on social media.
It is not GUN violence. It is a PEOPLE violence problem, PERIOD!
People die from all sorts of violent crime. We should stop vilifying firearms when people die from being killed, using this tool, called a “firearm”.
We have knife stabbings, people being stoned to death, car accidents, poisoned, etc. You do not say “brick violence” or “knife violence” when people are killed using these tools.
All of these are tools used in the performance of these acts. Individuals’ criminal minds, hands and bad intentions are committing these horrible crimes. We should not, and dare not, blame, or put a microscope on the tool.
The PFTC is still committed and dedicated in assisting the South African Police Services (SAPS) and all other role-players or partners in our efforts to fight and condemn violent crime. We furthermore will continue to deal with the unscrupulous, small minority of unaccredited Training Providers and individuals that are not registered.
I would like to thank you for your continued support by being a responsible gun owner and law-abiding citizen. Let us continue to be responsible Trainers of people using this tool called a “Firearm” – with ethics, quality, pride, dignity, and professionalism.
Let us strive to take hands to address our Nationwide problem, rather than to blame the tool instead of the criminal fool.