Firearms Control Amendment Bill resurfaces at Nedlac, reviving the 2021 fight over self-defence

The Firearms Control Amendment Bill resurfaced at NEDLAC in November 2025, after being withdrawn following public opposition in 2021, according to insurer Firearms Guardian and subsequent DA statements.

In 2021, more than 100,000 public submissions opposed the original amendment proposal, forcing its withdrawal. The current draft proposals are reported to remain largely unchanged from the rejected 2021 version.

Provisions under discussion include removing self-defence as a legitimate reason for firearm ownership and restrictions on ammunition, reloading and magazine capacity - measures that would directly affect armed security providers.

The DA said on 1 December 2025 that over 3,400 SAPS firearms were lost or stolen between 2019 and 2024, with only 559 recovered, arguing the Bill targets lawful owners rather than police mismanagement. The party says the Bill grants the Minister of Police broad powers over firearm ownership decisions and would strain the Central Firearms Register.

"The problem is not law-abiding citizens but mismanagement, corruption, and the collapse of the Central Firearms Register," said Ian Cameron MP, DA Deputy Spokesperson on Police.

Source: Firearms Guardian, 11 November 2025 - firearmsguardian.co.za (DA statement: da.org.za, 1 December 2025)