Free SA has formally submitted its comments to the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), urging the Council to ensure that proposed changes to South Africa’s firearm qualification framework remain practical, affordable, and accessible, while extending the public participation process to allow meaningful engagement by affected stakeholders. See comments attached.
Free SA supports high standards of firearm competency and responsible firearm ownership. However, the organisation cautions that unnecessarily increasing the cost, duration, or administrative burden of mandatory firearm training will disproportionately affect law-abiding South Africans without addressing criminal misuse of firearms.
Through its public participation campaign, Free SA has already facilitated 1,527 public submissions opposing unnecessary regulatory barriers while supporting accessible, high-quality firearm training. These submissions reflect widespread concern that the proposed framework may unintentionally make lawful firearm ownership increasingly difficult for responsible citizens.
Free SA has also raised concerns regarding the timing of the consultation process, which coincided with both the annual hunting season and the winter school holidays. The organisation believes this limited meaningful participation by many of the individuals and organisations most directly affected, including hunters, sport shooters, firearm instructors, firearm businesses, and accredited training providers. It has therefore requested that the consultation period be extended until 31 August 2026.
Gideon Joubert, Spokesperson for Free SA, said: “Responsible firearm ownership depends on competent training, but competency should never be confused with unnecessary bureaucracy. Regulations should improve safety, not place lawful firearm ownership beyond the financial reach of ordinary South Africans.”
Free SA’s submission further argues that South Africa already maintains extensive competency, licensing, and background assessment requirements. Additional financial and administrative burdens are therefore likely to affect only those who comply with the law, while doing little to deter criminals who acquire firearms outside the legal system.
The organisation has recommended that the QCTO:
- Keep firearm qualifications affordable and accessible.
- Focus training standards on demonstrated competency rather than increased duration.
- Avoid unnecessary administrative complexity.
- Continue engaging with accredited training providers, industry bodies, hunting organisations, sport shooting associations, and the public before implementing significant changes.
Free SA emphasises that meaningful public participation is a constitutional principle and believes every submission received during the consultation process deserves genuine consideration before any final framework is adopted.
About Free SA:
The Foundation for Rights of Expression and Equality (Free SA) is committed to protecting democratic freedoms, promoting meaningful public participation, and advancing transparent, accountable governance in South Africa. Through advocacy, public participation campaigns, and policy engagement, Free SA works to ensure that the voices of ordinary South Africans are heard where it matters most.
