As the most law abiding segment of society, gun owners of South Africa take the tenets and prescripts of safe, responsible, and lawful firearm use as a central pillar of our community.
We do not compromise these foundations. Not out of fear of legal repercussions, nor because the consequences of flippantly disregarding them may lead to grievous injury or death. As critically important as both these are.
No, we do not compromise our foundations because it goes against the very core of who we are: safe and responsible firearm owners.
We hold ourselves to higher standards than we do those who are not lawful firearm owners. We support and encourage behaviour that strengthens our community, and which benefits society as a whole. Whether directly or indirectly.
By the same token we strongly condemn actions that not only compromises our hard-won rights and privileges, but which needlessly and recklessly endangers life. Those who choose to go down this path are not welcome among us. They will not share the campfire of our fraternity.
Let this serve as us nailing our colours to the mast – we support responsible and lawful firearm ownership.
We will assist any and all who seek help in this regard. We will jealously and viciously defend the rights of this community from infringement by individuals who seek to compromise the sacred tenets of safety and responsibility for their personal gain.
I hope that you can identify with these prescripts, take them to heart, and assist in promoting them whenever and wherever you can.
Molon Labe
Written by Gideon Joubert, photo credit to David Ritchie
Gideon is the owner and editor of Paratus
