South Africa - Battle axes and batons are replacing guns

[FWiedner]

Battle axes and batons are replacing guns

Jani Meyer

Battle axes, batons and plastic bullet guns are just some of the alternatives to firearms that people are snapping up to try to improve their safety.

This is since the Firearms Control Act of 2000 clamped down on the number of guns one person can own. For self-defence only, one firearm is allowed. Hunters or sports shooting enthusiasts may own as many as four firearms.

However, applying for a licence has become much more difficult, with hardly any licences having been granted in the past year.

So gun dealers are branching out into other types of weaponry such as knifes, swords, bows and traditional weapons like battle axes and knobkieries. Although gun dealers said customers were looking at other ways to protect themselves and their properties, they were not into "weird or complicated" weapons.

Some opted for realistic "toy guns" to act as a deterrent or a crossbow to keep their property safe. BB guns are becoming increasingly popular and look like the real thing. As a "toy", it is not illegal to own and the sting from the plastic bullet might give one enough time to get away from an attacker.

Among the more unusual self-defence weapons being bought are "kish batons". These are mostly used by nightclub bouncers. The owner of Durban Guns & Ammo, Justin Willmers, said even elderly women were buying the baton because it did not require a lot of power to use. Another favourite was pepper spray.

Knives might be favoured by gangsters, but in general law-abiding people do not like to carry them. Willmers said an attacker had to get too close before a knife could be used effectively.

There are no laws preventing people from buying potentially dangerous weapons ranging from gleaming machetes and two-metre-long swords to crossbows with enough power to kill a 500kg animal, or traditional weapons like spears and battle axes. An air rifle or pellet gun can also be lethal if a lead pellet is used.

However, there are laws regarding dangerous weapons, and the Criminal Procedures Act allows the police to confiscate dangerous weapons or implements suspected of being used in the execution of a crime or that could be used in crime.

Pumza Makanya, the provincial head of the South African Police Service's legal department, said there were categories of weapons, but nothing banning ownership.

"It is up to the individual to explain the purpose of the object he or she is carrying," said Makanya, adding that special permission had to be granted by the commissioner of police for the carrying of traditional weapons at public meetings.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20050313105508558C713318


*FW Note:  Take a look at one possible future.  Make no mistake.  This is where our government wants us to be, i.e., forced to resort to sticks, stones, tooth and nail as our only means of defense against tyranny and oppression.  When the "reasonable restriction" folks come knockin', don't even open the door.

 :x

[Rustyinfla]

I'm surprised they didn't mention the slambook (sp?) Traditionaly they were made from a strip of hippo hide taken right down the spine, the thickest part. Now they are made from a very hard yet flexable rubber. Cold Steel sell several of them. They vary from four to six feet long. If I were still in Law Enforcement today I would take one over a baton.

               Rusty <><

[Don Fischer]

I don't think there's a government on the face of the earth that wouldn't love to see it's citizen's disarmed, including our's. But we have one thing going for us, million's of firearm's in private ownership! The best way to stay there is to keep the undecided either undecided on on our side, even if ownership is not their cup of tea. The undecided vote too, and quite often on the side of reason.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could carry conceled anywhere we went? We know what would happen if that was the case over there. There would be a bloody period where every one tries out the new power and then the bad guy's would get real laid back. Lot's of dead, many innocent, but sometimes the price of freedom and safty come's at a very high price.

Here I am preaching to the choir!

[Mikey]

Interesting article about South Afrika - the tax-paying and law-abiding citizens are now on the same pre-historic level as the gangs of Soweto, who used to carry clubs with nails imbedded or machetes.  I don't recall reading that they favoured swords, lion spears or battle axes, so possibly the now disarmed citizenry may have a legal leg or two up on the average thug.  

Seems a shame, certainly, but what would you have expected from a government formed to end the 'Pax Romana' established by an apartheid intent government.

Do I think that will happen here?  No. it won't.  There will be civil war in the United States before that happens and we may turn our history clocks back a couple of hundred years but before street gangs of thugs actually begin ruling the lives of the citizenry, vigilance committees will eliminate them and restore order.  I plan on joining the fight.

Some of us spit, whiz and moan about crime, the government and overbearing rules, regulations and law enforcement, but some of us meet and plan, stockpile and prepare for the day when we need to reclaim our lives and consitutional freedoms.  My Grandfather once said that you can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up first.  I plan and then do.  Talk is cheap.  If you are that worried, ya'll best begin planning for the fight.  Just my thoughts.  Mikey.

[FWiedner]

For such an action oriented fellow, you sure do beat around the bush.

Spit it out Mike.

What are you really trying to say?

 :evil:

[Mikey]

Well, Gosh! Spit! Spit! Spit! I guess I don't really know.  But when you speak to disarmed citizenry you can begin to look right here.  We have our commie anti-constitutionalists already in the senate.  kennedy, schumer, klinton, fienstein and lautenberg top the list - all in favor of gun control and the re-interpretation of our Constitutional rights.  Immediate citizen control through a reduction in firearms availability is their goal but they either ignore or refuse to consider history.

Over the past 40 years there have been millions of firearms of all types stolen in this country and only a fraction turn up.  Where the hay do they all go - they go into a stockpile for the day when the great revolution (?)begins again.  And I will leave it to your own thoughts as to what groups are stockpiling them - it sure isn't the law-abiding groups who turn in grampa's old 45 or old Springfield rifle at the gun buy-backs.  It certainly isn't the law abiding grandmas who turn in their late husbands old 30-30.  It is the groups who plan for the 'new world order' revolution and the establishment of their controls over our society.  

Have you ever noticed that billary klinton and chuck the schmuck keep calling for gun control - but are their followers the first in line to turn in their guns.  Nope!  And, where do those two, in particular, hang out - in the inner city.  Ooooooops, have I said something here?  

Ever see any strange folks at your range trying to sight in a rifle they know nothing about?  You see that more and more these days and it makes me wonder where the hay they and their guns come from.  I should ask???  Na, I just keep my hand on my gun.  

We continually speak to diversity and the liberal anti-gunner who float that belief have their entourage close at hand.  But, when it comes to disarming the general public they are nowhere to be seen.  Kinda makes ya'll wonder which side of their mouth they're spittin' outta.  

Just a thought.  Mikey.