STEVEN MVULA, Lusaka
GOVERNMENT is working on modalities to take stock of firearms in circulation, Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo has said.
Mr Kampyongo said Government is aware of firearms in private hands, and his ministry has put in place measures to ensure the security of the nation is not compromised.
“The concern of guns in private hands is valid. The Zambia Police Service is mandated to manage and control arms and ammunition. Weapons, as well as ammunition, are controlled and restricted,” Mr Kampyongo said.
He was speaking in an interview recently.
Mr Kampyongo said following the concern of proliferation of guns in private hands, Government has put in place stringent measures, and will soon take stock.
“The amnesty that we give to those who own firearms illegally is still in effect. We will soon be spelling out stringent regulations even to private security companies that use firearms. We will also take stock of the guns in circulation.
“It is an offence to own or use a firearm without a licence and, therefore, we will soon crack the whip because we know who is illegally keeping weapons,” Mr Kampyongo said.
Some political party cadres have been brandishing firearms, especially pistols, in public.