They stole my Guns.

[Pitbull]

Thanks for the advice.

But just check, I think they still provide immunity for handing in guns. I would honestly let people bring me guns themselves without fear of being jailed then have them keep it where it is not safe to do so.

I don't think the police would have a problem. But make 100% sure, no matter what I don't want you jailed for doing the right thing Not even you

 

[Pitbull]

If you no longer want these firearms, and have no intention of selling them legally, then why not destroy them yourself?
I'm very sceptical about leaving them with the cops.

That is also true unfortunately
But not all cops are crooks I wish they had an NGO to destroy these guns like those in Moz doing it.

 

[rwenzori]

If you no longer want these firearms, and have no intention of selling them legally, then why not destroy them yourself?
I'm very sceptical about leaving them with the cops.

Well, the ones that I own and have licenses for are recorded by serial number on the licenses. I'd rather they were disposed of "officially" so that I cannot be accused of mislaying them. The one that's not mine, maybe.

 

[rwenzori]

But just check, I think they still provide immunity for handing in guns. I would honestly let people bring me guns themselves without fear of being jailed then have them keep it where it is not safe to do so.

I don't think the police would have a problem. But make 100% sure, no matter what I don't want you jailed for doing the right thing Not even you

I will. I thought the immunity was long over, but I'll go ask.

And - LOL!

 

[Pitbull]

Well, the ones that I own and have licenses for are recorded by serial number on the licenses. I'd rather they were disposed of "officially" so that I cannot be accused of mislaying them. The one that's not mine, maybe.

At least that weight is off your shoulders then, let the Police carry that burden instead Sure the police are corrupt but not all of them and I think we should still believe the majority of them are good and honest policemen

 

[Frankie]

Well, the ones that I own and have licenses for are recorded by serial number on the licenses. I'd rather they were disposed of "officially" so that I cannot be accused of mislaying them. The one that's not mine, maybe.

In that case I'd render them totally useless then hand them in for further destruction (not distribution).

 

[Pitbull]

I will. I thought the immunity was long over, but I'll go ask.

And - LOL!

I'm honestly contemplating the same with mine. It is a massive burden. Like the OP says he feels safer having it around. I however feel alot more burden'd. I have 2 small kids and twins on the way. If I get attacked in the middle of the night I don't want to be tortured and give up the guns in the end anyway. Best not to have them and then they can open the safe for all I care That is why I have insurance

And pls before the gun parade arrive. I'm pro gun ownership and I'll say that again. But I personally feel it's time to give it up. It's not worth it in the end. I'll use someone else's gun when going hunting and what not.

I just don't know

 

[bwana]

I enjoy my guns - I shoot recreationally and find it cathartic.

You have to remember that in SA - and quite contrary to the US - gun ownership is a privilege and not a right. If you're not going to be a responsible owner rather hand it in to be destroyed (give it a few licks first with a sledge hammer).

I have one concealed safe for the guns and one much more obvious one for valuables. I also dont carry the licenses unless I'm carrying the weapon so losing my wallet isnt going to get the thieves thinking.

 

[Pitbull]

Eugene66, pls mate. I'm not taking a piss at you and hope you are not sitting there now hoping you never posted this.

I'm very glad and thankfull that you did. People should know the risks involved and I'm glad you took the time to post it. Again, I'm holding thumbs for you and your sister that all will work out in the end

 

[Eugene66]

Pitbull.
Its cool. I prefer honesty. I also know that once you blowed off steam you will begin to take a calmer view.

I dont know your ages. But I grew up with Guns. I could shoot a 5L paint tin lid at 50m since I was 13 with that very same .22 That was in the eighties. I went to the border. Mechanically inclined. I can dissasemble and reassemble a R4 a Mag Lmg and an Ak 47 (same as R4) 9mm star and I often dis assembled and cleaned many others when we visited on farms and stuff.

So the era I grew up in was a lot slacker with gun laws than now. Since I got the Pistol from my dad it was to me just a case of. "Ok dump it in a safe and it's covered." For what its bloody worth because that is the first thing robbers look for. I often thought I must get a bigger safe to hide the smaller one behind to fool them.

I never anticipated this to happen especially not now, with my geyser that popped and all. I often think the people who replaced my Geyzer might have tipped someone off because it also tripped my power and disabled the alarm system. The bloody house is so beautifully designed that the geyser was on top of the wall that has the hind wall of cuboard on the one side and the main switch box to all the electricity inside the same wall.

After the geyser popped my cuboard was filling up with water one foot deep in the bottom. And the chip board started swelling up like weat bix. Besides the guns they removed up to R 40.000 worth of goods and the insurance does not want to cover it because the alarm system was knocked out.

I work fom home so some a**hole must have been watching me leave to go and see a client before they moved in. I was gone for about 7 hours which is rare. I also think they were watching as I came in because some smaller more valuble stuff was left behind in plain sight.

They must have left in a hurry.

 

[kilos]

Sorry to hear about the humiliation and the loss of your guns,
it now seems more and more that if you allow a strangers ie plumbers, electricians into your house their staff could be "scouting or spying" around
and looking for weak points to break into your house.

One couple in Somerset West were broken into shortly after someone
knocked at their door asking to make a phone call from inside the house
as this man & woman had just missed their "taxi" to the hospital.
The "magic hour" seems to be between 2-5am that breakins occur

 

[Pitbull]

Damn it this is so sad.

I see the human side of it now and it is a damn shame as to what happened. I honestly think you need to chat with Marine1 and also get an advocate or someone to give you advice. I doubt you will get a Jail sentence, that is worst case scenario. I do however think you are in deep crap for this

Especialy in the times we're in. If this happened 20 years ago the police would have fined you when they came out and you told them. back then it wasn't such a big issue as it is today.

I honestly hope all turns out for the best. You don't deserve this as you are an honest and open guy

 

[marine1]

I have pm'd him. Problem is that he can be in a world of trouble, negligent loss of firearm has sever penalties. I would ask him to please urgently contact a certain attorney who is a specialist with this stuff and has acted for me many times (being a gun collector). This is no joke.

 

[marine1]

I do however think you are in deep crap for this

I would agree.

 

[Fudzy]

What happens if those guns are used in a homicide?

 

[marine1]

Well I stand to be corrected but he can only be charged for negligent loss not for accessory to the crime although you never know. As far as I know, this still carries a possible jail term. You must NEVER negotiate directly with the SAPS or prosecutor. You need to have a legal representation in these cases.

 

[Vitowe]

Very sorry to hear of your plight E66. I know how you are feeling. Something similar happened to me many years ago. But as the guys have pointed out, it wasn't such a big deal back then. I got off pretty lightly. Declared unfit to possess a licence for five years.
Owning a firearm is an awsome resposibility and it's that one unguarded moment that has such dire consequences. I wish you luck.

 

[Flanders]

Eish, very unfortunate there Eugene. I was just talking with friends tonight about the pros and cons of having a gun. Hope all turns out well.

One question, if he had been at home when this happened and had been asleep or elsewhere on the property and these guys had taken their time and forcefully removed the safe (having been bolted down with no key available etc.) what is the case then? Also, if you are at home, is it law that you must keep the weapon on your person if it's not secured in the safe?

 

[Eugene66]

Marine 1
I answered your PM. I am definitely looking for legal counsel. I just want to see if I can find it close the the Midrand court so as to keep costs low.

 

[marine1]

Please check your pm and let me know what happens.