[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”30″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]It is the typical South African weekend. With more sport on the menu than the number of available screens in your home, there’s plenty to look forward to. The fire is lit, the beer is ice cold, your wife is preparing that potato dish that you have been craving all week and the children are enjoying jumping and swimming around in the pool. Sounds idyllic right? An evening where nothing could go wrong?
You could be wrong.
It’s just past 19:00 and the Bok game just kicked off. Just as you turn to top up your drink, you feel something pressing against your head. It is the barrel of a gun. Suddenly you know that a horrible South African reality is about to play out in your home.
A man angrily shouts all sorts of things at you. Where is the money? Where is the safe? The jewelry? He is not alone. One of his accomplices has rounded up your children in the living room. You are not sure where your wife is. You feel sick just thinking of it. It is strange. The Seconds feels like it is slowing down and flying by at the same time.
Eight out of ten residential robberies in South Africa are committed with the help of inside information – housekeepers, former employees or gardeners. The attackers have most likely been watching your house for as long as two weeks, more than enough time to know your routine inside out. To you, your vehicle is an asset that you work hard to afford, to them it is a symbol of your wealth – something they want from you, and they are willing to take anything, including your life.
Criminals know exactly when to strike. Dinner time is prime time because it is unlikely that your security system will be armed. It is time to relax, you are in and out of the house, relaxing and enjoying family time. In South Africa the harsh reality is that security systems seldomly deter criminals.
There is a 97% chance that the attackers are armed and they more often than not, strike in groups of more than two. They are young, but experienced and 30% of all house robbers in South Africa have either committed murder, or won’t hesitate to do so.
You wonder whether the man holding the gun to your head has committed murder, or will you be his first? You don’t want to stay around to find out.
The gunman is getting more aggressive. He hits you with his weapon. Your ears are ringing from the impact. You already told him where the valuables are. He is shouting in a language that you don’t understand, and he aims the weapon at your oldest child. You hear his weapon click. Could this be it?
Then there is a loud bang. You don’t feel any pain. Then you are convinced that someone you love dearly must have been shot. But then you realise that the man that was holding the gun moments before, is now lying on the floor. His weapon is still in his hands, but his eyes are lifeless. By the time you look up, his accomplices have jumped the wall and in all their haste they only managed to take your cell phone. Your wife managed to free herself from her restraints, used your weapon to defend her loved ones. You gently take your gun from her hands. She is a hero, but at what price? Your home is no longer the safe place where memories are made. It will always bear the mark of the crime scene of this night.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”50″ bottom_padding=”50″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_single_testimonial testimonial_style=”small_modern” text_color=”#bc2b2b” color=”Default” quote=”According to Henk Nolte, director of Firearms Guardian, the decision to pull the trigger is the moment that matters the most. In the moment, time is flying and you have only moments to act. But there is much to consider in those moments, because if the danger or threat is not life-threatening, you can possibly be successfully prosecuted for murder. The defensive action taken must be in proportion to the attack. If the attacker can be put out of action by means of a less violent action, that lesser action should be followed.” name=”Henk Nolte” subtitle=”Director of Firearms Guardian”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” bottom_padding=”30″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]You suddenly wonder what happens next? Is my wife in trouble? Am I in trouble? Am I now a criminal? These are valid questions that need to be answered.
In this scenario it is the wife who made the quick decision to safeguard those that are closest to her. We often wonder if it makes a difference when it is a female who uses a firearm in self-defence? According to Nolte it won’t matter to the court who pulled the trigger. The court only considers whether the defensive action (the use of the firearm) was justified or not.
The following aspect are taken into consideration:
- Was the attack life-threatening?
- Was the attack imminent and not already over?
- Was the use of the firearm proportionate to the violence exerted by the attacker?
Then the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrive on the scene. Questions follow and more uncertainty starts setting in.
Most folks could use someone with sound legal knowledge at this stage, someone that understands the legal complexities when the use of a firearm is involved and that has compassion for the circumstances that were faced.
Firearms Guardian is that someone. Firearms Guardian is a ground-breaking legal protection insurance product for lawfully armed citizens. Whether a shot is fired in self-defence or just an accidental discharge, even a hunting accident, or prosecution relating to the Firearms Control Act, we make sure that you are covered with top notch legal advice, representation and liability coverage.
In this story, Firearms Guardian could play a significant role to reduce the anxiety surrounding the aftermath of the attack:
- Our team of expert lawyers are available 24/7. That includes after hours and weekends. Crime does not have office hours, neither do we.
- We provide comprehensive and powerful Legal Protection and Liability Cover for you and your immediate family.
- Our coverage includes firearm self-defence, accidental discharge, hunting accidents, sport shooting and more, as well as Firearms Control Act related prosecution.
- We offer legal assistance and representation of up to R300 000 per case/per claim.
- Our product includes liability coverage for firearm damages up to R300 000 per annum.
- Our legal advice and assistance are provided by over 2 500 top practicing lawyers, n
- Firearms Guardian offers legal representation in both the High and Magistrate’s Courts nationwide. Lawyers are utilised in their areas of expertise.
- All Firearms Guardian lawyers have more than 10-year practical experience. Only practicing lawyers are used. We do not use paralegals.
- We also include bail payments of up to R3 000 per incident.
According to Nolte the coverage that Firearms Guardian provides, is based on very thorough research and experience. He says that although legal costs are often unpredictable, Firearms Guardian is convinced that they offer sufficient cover to adequately assist a Firearms Guardian policyholder.
When asking a victim of a crime such as an armed house robbery, they will likely tell you that they never thought it would happen to them. Everyone is always weary but clearly, we are not weary enough. In 2022 Gauteng experienced nearly 50 000 robberies with aggravating circumstances and nearly 5 000 murders took place. With other provinces not far behind, the reality is that as South Africans we cannot solely rely on the SAPS to keep citizens safe and often we must look out for ourselves.
As owners of firearms, we all hope that we will never need to use them to defend ourselves or our loved ones. Shooting another person or even killing them in self-defence does not make it easier for the victim but with a team of dedicated professionals that are on your side it is much easier to deal with the aftermath of what could have been a potential disaster.
Become a Firearms Guardian policyholder today and save yourself the regret of having to deal with matters that could have been dealt with for you by a willing professional.
Visit the following link for more information – https://firearmsguardian.co.za/learn-more/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
The Firearms Guardian policy is administered by Firearms Guardian (Pty) Ltd (FSP47115), an authorised Financial Services Provider and underwritten by GENRIC Insurance Company Limited (FSP43638), an authorised Financial Services Provider and licensed non-life Insurer.
