CRISIS IN FIREARM TRAINING QUALIFICATION THREATENS FIREARM OWNERS AND THE SECURITY SECTOR
Date: 20 (05)
Dear Member,
We have to inform you of an unfortunate but potentially serious critical situation affecting proficiency firearm training qualifications across the country.
The validity of the firearm training qualification 50480, ended on 30-06-2024. Irrespective of the South African Professional Firearm Trainers Council (PFTC) timeously submitting an adapted qualification in place of 50480, the Minister of Education failed to finalize the validity of the existing (or new) firearm training qualification to be effective from 01-07-2024.
This effectively stopped new applications for competency certificates for those who did not complete such training by 30-06-2024, obviously with immediate and far-reaching consequences.
In an urgent application brought by PFTC regarding the continuance of the presentation of qualification 50480, which was heard in the Gauteng High Court on 11 July 2024, the presiding judge accepted the proposal that the status quo should be extended until the Minister makes a formal decision to extend or replace the qualification.
Apparently the whole demeanour of the state respondents changed when they effectively lost their challenge as they obtained instructions about an immediate urgent application for leave to appeal the interim order.
We do not know if leave to appeal has been extended to the state respondents.
Please take note that this potentially critical situation does not have an effect on firearm owners who have completed proficiency training before 30-06-2024.
The following documentation will explain the technical nature of this serious situation, which has fortunately been curtailed by PFTC through an urgent court application.
3. 20-06-2024 - PFTC Court Action - Legacy Qualifications
4. 11-07-2024 - Interim Order re Qualification 50480
5. 11-07-2024 - Mr Martin Hood explains the process
We shall keep you updated if any changes occur.
Kind Regards
Natshoot Office
This Newsletter sent to all members via email on 12-07-2024