301 guns stolen since 2018

The Namibian police has recorded 245 stolen firearms during the 2018/19 financial year and 56 more during the first quarter of the current financial year.

According to a media statement, the police's head of public relations Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi, said most of these firearms were stolen during housebreaking or out of motor vehicles, which is a great concern as it is evident of the negligent ways in which firearm owners handle them and is in contradiction with the rules of firearms safe-keeping.

“The firearm safe-keeping guidelines are very clear.

If you have a firearm at your house, it must be stored in a locked safe mounted to the wall and/or floor and you may not leave your firearm in a vehicle upon disembarking from it, as the firearm might be stolen if the vehicle is broken into,” Kanguatjivi said.

He added that those who are issued with firearms due to the nature of their work must ensure that the firearms are returned to the rightful owners once such duties are terminated.

“Security companies must keep proper records when issuing firearms to their employees and must also ensure those firearms are returned once such contracts [are] terminated,” Kanguatjivi added.

NAMPA