Guns & Domestic Violence

South African women face a high risk of violence. While many people associate this danger with strangers, national studies show that women are far more likely to be murdered by current or former husbands or boyfriends - a tragedy known as intimate femicide. But a gun in the home puts everyone at risk. Women and girls are most often threatened, and research shows that in one in three cases, it’s a son or brother. Guns are easy to use and deadly; anger or conflict can turn them against the very people they were meant to protect, causing serious injury or death to one or more family members.

This practical guideline flyer provides essential information on guns in domestic violence, including how to apply for a protection order to have a firearm removed from an abusive relationship. If someone is abusive, depressed, or suicidal and owns or has access to a gun, and you fear for your safety, you can ask the police or court to remove it immediately. The flyer explains how relevant laws, including the Domestic Violence Act and the Firearms Control Act, allow the courts or police to remove guns and other dangerous weapons in abusive situations. It also provides support resources, including helpline contact details and safety planning tools.

This guideline is part of the Removing the Trigger Campaign, a collaborative initiative by Gun Free South Africa (GFSA), MOSAIC, the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA), and the Cape Town office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF). The campaign seeks to strengthen policy and practice, promote safer homes, and raise awareness about the risks of firearms in domestic violence.