Firearm injuries to children in Cape Town, South Africa:

Impact of the 2004 Firearms Control Act

Understanding and Preventing Violence in AfricaSafety and Violence Initiative

Cape Higher Education ConsortiumProvincial Government of the Western Cape

Red Cross Children’s HospitalUniversity of Cape Town

Gunshots in South Africa

Violence leading cause of death in 2000

Firearm the leading external cause of non-natural deaths (NIMSS)

Gunshot Statistics (in 2000)

More than 800 children killed with firearms

Total homicides 25 000 per year

Over 50% due to gunshots

Attempted murder with firearms 22 000 per year

“Anti-Gun Alliance”

Under leadership of Gunfree South Africa

Active mobilisation of social capital

Promoting for a “New Firearm Bill”

New Firearm Bill

Raise minimum age to 21 years (Was previous 16 years)

Competency Certificate (Previous anyone could buy a gun)

Gunfree Zones (Places of worship, schools, hospitals,

public transport, shopping centres)

New Firearm Bill

First parliamentary hearings in 2000

Adopted in 2002

Implemented in 2004

Gunshot-related injuries in children

Systematic Review

Childsafe South Africa Database All Child injuries treated at Red Cross since 1991

(n = 160 000) 1991-2010 (20 years)

Including all fire-arm related injuries to children

Red Cross Trauma Unit

Only children under the age 0 – 12 years

Drains the Western Part of the Cape Town municipality

10 000 patients per year

Gunshot-related injuries in children

Circumstances of children being shot

(n= 476)

Caught in crossfire 43%

Shot deliberately by an adult 9% Shot deliberately by a child 3% Playing with a gun 2%

Shot by gangsters 5% Accidental 14%

Gunshots of children at Red Cross Children’s Hospital (n = 476)

Hearings

Accepted

Implemented

Effect on national firearm related deaths (2001 – 2005; NIMMS)

Firearm deaths Non firearm deaths

Psychological & long term effects

Not studied here; most likely very negative for the development of victims and children in social vicinity

Children who grow up with guns might easily be tempted to use them later

Conclusion

New Firearm Bill very effective

Good example how society itself can play a role in creating a safer environment

All groups trying to overturn the legislation should be opposed