Chairperson, the Dangerous Weapons Bill was introduced in Parliament by the Minister of Police on 12 February 2013. The Bill is meant to classify dangerous weapons and remedial steps that members of the SA Police Service should take when confronted by people who either conceal dangerous weapons or use dangerous weapons. It provides the police with greater powers of discretion to arrest people who carry dangerous weapons, firearms and imitations or replicas of firearms with the intention of using them for unlawful purposes. It also provides for people not to carry dangerous weapons at gatherings with the intention of using them. To this end, it amends the regulations of the Regulation of Gatherings Act, Act 205 of 1993.
During the committee deliberations, the state law advisers and parliamentary legal advisers concurred with each other on the constitutionality of the Bill. The committee was concerned that the discretion that the Bill allows police officers is open to abuse. However, the committee was satisfied after an explanation by the state law and parliamentary legal advisers. The Department of Police was asked to provide an implementation plan and a training manual because training was a concern. The committee passed the Bill without amendments.
Debate concluded.
Bill agreed to in accordance with section 75 of the Constitution.