Living in South Africa where the "new improved" (anti) gun law is taking effect, I anticipate that I won't be granted a re-lisence for all my weapons (I must apply before the end of this year...).

One of the weapons I anticipate losing is an original Ruger Bearcat single action revolver, in .22 cal. (How do I prove a substantial need, acceptable to the anti-gun ex terrorist politicians aiming to disarm all law abiding South Africans, for such a weapon...)

Anyway, this revolver, as far as I know, is rather rare, and I'm sure that it would appreciate a gun-loving home somewhere where it won't be chopped up into scrap metal. Obviously, I would like to sell it, but I would be quite prepared to GIVE it away rather than have it destroyed.

So, IF I cannot have it re-lisenced, would anyone be interested in this weapon? (apologies if this is not the right forum to "advertise" in...)

Hennie

I'm sure there will be/would be many interested in your fine pistol, as I am, but I'm not sure what the U.S. Laws are in importing a pistol on a private sale/transaction.
Add to that NJ's crazy laws......

Can you not sell it if you are FORCED to get rid of it and at least recoup your money?

Iv'e had plenty of problems like that too. I decided to play their game and increase the number of guns I own. A fair bit of mucking about and expence but if they want to play I'll play along too. I ended up joining a pistol club to keep the guns I could no longer keep on a colectors licence.

Dear African Hunter,
If I were you(and I am not), I would put that handgun in a sealed plastic container filled with oil. I would hide it where nobody except me could find it. I would then mount a major effort to change the law in my country. I would contact all like minded people. I would teach my children my view of the world we live in. I would vote in every election. I would do all that I could to make a difference for my children.
If I failed to make a difference before I die, I would tell my children where I hid the firearm. I would tell them to continue the mission for me. I do not quit! My children do not either.
You asked and I answered.
Cheezywan

Seems like you could justify its use for shooting guinea fowl, sand grouse, etc... A pot gun to carry while big game hunting with a rifle.

Cheezy, The only problem there is that it is probibly registered and when they come looking for it they will through him in gaol till he finds it.

aussiecolector sir,
You are correct. I did not think it through. I am thinking that it "was confiscated last time you were here"?
What a horrible thing for person to put up with!
Africanhunter. I will hold your firearm until you can leaglly have it back. That is my best offer.
Cheezywan

Some years back England banned a bunch of guns and people were sending them to the US. Im not sure how that worked but I think it can be done. You can probably find something on the web. Fill us in on the new laws in SA.

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

If I were you(and I am not), I would put that handgun in a sealed plastic container filled with oil. I would hide it where nobody except me could find it.
I've considered this, but as aussiecolector pointed out, this would not work. Here in South Africa, losing a weapon (or having it stolen !!) is considered to be as serious a crime as actually possessing an unlicensed weapon (or stealing a legally lisenced one...), and I will probably end up in jail if I "lost" it :mad:

I would then mount a major effort to change the law in my country. I would contact all like minded people. I would teach my children my view of the world we live in. I would vote in every election.
If only it was as easy as you make it sound... Unfortunately, the reality is somewhat different. In the States you have two main political parties, with nearly the same amount of voters on each side. To you, "small" issues such as the handling of a natural disaster (how can anyone politicise something like that :confused: ) can change the popularity of the ruling party to such an extent that they may lose the next election - hence the politicians pay a lot more attention to what you voters say. Also, gun owners in the USA are a large group, and can influence politics. Here in S.A. there are perhaps 2-3 million legal gun owners, and about 40 million or so people who don't have legal weapons (but may vote...) These people don't care one way or another about the people who can afford to buy guns, as they are too busy just trying to survive living in Africa (famine, disease, corruption, mismanagement, hidden political agendas, crime...). Unfortunately, most of these people vote for the ruling communist alliance now making the laws in the "democratic" South Africa - and one of their stated objectives is to disarm the population. Also, the voting wards have been so structured that the opposition parties combined don't have more than 30% of the total vote. So, no matter how hard we law-abiding citizens work, campain or vote, there is no way in the foreseeable future that we can change this "democracy" - it's just not the African Way... show me just one country in Africa where an opposition party wins an election :(

Fill us in on the new laws in SA.
I take it you mean the new gun law. In a nutshell, every "normal" citizen may apply for ONE self defence handgun only. In addition, we may apply for a maximum of two hunting rifles (only manually operated, thus only single shot, bolt action or lever action rifles - NO semi automatic or automatic weapons of any kind) and one manually operated shotgun. If one is certified a "dedicated" hunter or sportsman, one may apply for more than the "normal" maximum number of guns. The catch is, one must "prove" a specific need for every weapon, and that is rather difficult, dealing with our burocracy...

Africanhunter. I will hold your firearm until you can leaglly have it back. That is my best offer.
Thank you for your offer - and if it came to that, I will gladly give it to you for safe keeping, if it is legally possible. Fortunately, our burocracy works rather slow, and I don't expect any outcome to my application to have my weapons re-lisenced for the next year or two...

Hennie

AH,

I am so sorry for your predicament.

Let this be a lesson to us all here in the States that we must do all that we can to make sure that this never happens here! Use the power of your vote always and elect Pro 2nd Amendment candidates and eliminate those that stand against us.

As Cheezywan recommends we must never quit and we must raise our children with the same high standards and morals! We must never settle for less than guaranteed us by the United States Constitution. We are this country and we must keep it safe always. We are the government and when they forget this we must remind them!

Well let me just say God Bless America and AH when you get ready we have plenty of room over here for you too.

Greg Franks

Here in the States in order to bring that pistol into the US one must file a Form 6 with the ATFE and get it approved. Then the pistol needs to be sent and it will be held in customs until it is released. Time involved I have been given estimates of 6 weeks to six months. And that is not counting any gun exporting laws on your end which if not followed to the letter could land you in just as much trouble as trying to "hide" the pistol. I have looked into importing pistols in small quantities and believe me, it "ain't" worth it and all the importers I contacted did not want to fool with such a small number of items unless they got a lot more than the gun was worth for their trouble. I gave up and there are two pistols I really need for the collection, but it is not going to happen.:(

You have one thing better than us in that you can have a handgun for self defence. Over here we are not alowed any weapon for self defence. There has been cases where a little old lady has admitted the aerosol can in her handbag was for self defence. They through the book at her.

This thread was a painful read. We have our own constant battle here in the U.S., but you folks in South Africa, Australia, England and even Canada are suffering indeed. Not much one can say but that our thoughts and prayers are given in the hopes for a change for the better.

I was in South Africa for hunting in 1997. I picked up a Cape Town paper the day we left. The headline read "Their coming after your guns" I brought it home and tacked it to the gun club wall. It's still there. Since then I have tried to keep up on the gun laws in RSA. If anything it proves that draconian laws like these can be passed anywhere. Good luck.

This post has been here awhile African Hunter. Have you decided what you will do?
Cheezywan

Not much one can say but that our thoughts and prayers are given in the hopes for a change for the better.
Thanks, they are sincerely appreciated :)

This post has been here awhile African Hunter. Have you decided what you will do?
Well, yes and no ....

I have applied for the re-licensing of ALL my weapons. Given that the government bureoacracy has been totally overwhelmed by the re-licensing applications, and that we're working to Africa Time :) I don't expect any answer from them for the next few years (the longer, the better...). So, until I receive an official rejection of my application, I'm keeping (and using !!) the Bearcat. If / when that bad day happens, I will contact you to see if you still want this "gift" - perhaps we can then arrange an African hunt for you, and you can fetch it in person ...

Regards,
Hennie

I have applied for the re-licensing of ALL my weapons. Given that the government bureoacracy has been totally overwhelmed by the re-licensing applications, and that we're working to Africa Time :) I don't expect any answer from them for the next few years (the longer, the better...).

And I was right - it took them two years to decide on the fate of my weapons...

By some miracle, I'm happy to report, all my weapons have been re-licensed :p and the Bearcat is now licences for small-calibre silhouette shooting.

Just to give you an idea of the workings of our bureoacrats, whilst I applied for my Walther PPK as a "backup" sport pistol to be used in silhouette shooting as well, the powers that be has now issued me a license to use this .32 ACP pistol as a DEDICATED HUNTING weapon :rolleyes: So, anyone like to go hunting for African Lion with a "slightly" under powered weapon, give me a call :D

I'm sure you would have something there to shoot with it, got any rabbits or anything. I'll give the lions a miss though.
Glad to hear things have worked out. celebrate by buying a few more.