The Firearms Guardian team implores all of our readers to pay careful attention to the following stories that we are about to share. Furthermore, we hope that you heed our well-informed words of expert legal advice regarding legal firearm ownership and the importance of defending your communities. The sad reality that these two stories highlight is that our churches are under attack as South Africa further descends into violence, and it is the duty of legally licenced firearm owners to protect their families and fellow congregants from violent perpetrators.
The first incident occurred in October of 2024 at a church in Pretoria West. According to local news reports, the sermon had concluded and congregants were preparing to leave when two armed men entered the church and approached the area where the tithes were being counted. They started threatening the remaining congregants and struck a 13-year-old boy with a pistol. A local police spokesperson testified that the congregants were held at gunpoint and were violently coerced into handing over their possessions, including cell phones and jewellery. During the course of the robbery, a congregant fired two shots outside the church and the two robbers subsequently fled in a Toyota. Cash, personal belongings, as well as the church’s laptop were among the robbed items.
The second incident is a more tragic one, and involves the needless death of a young pastor at a church in Johannesburg in October of 2024. According to the testimony of a local police spokesperson, six armed men forcefully entered the church and brazenly began to shoot at the congregants. What is more disturbing is that the sermon was being streamed live on social media. The recording shows the impassioned pastor halting in his tracks when he observed the men enter the church. Multiple gunshots can be heard off-camera before the camera is knocked over in the ensuing chaos, and the recording abruptly ends. The pastor suffered fatal gunshot wounds and two other congregants were shot but fortunately recovered fully.
Two questions arise from the above scenarios::
- Is it advisable to bring your firearm with you to church?
- Are you allowed to fire at intruders from outside the church?
Our expert in criminal law, Dr. Llewelyn Curlewis, had the following to say:
“Regarding the first question, the answer is quite simple and may be answered with a counter question, namely: Why would you not carry your weapon or bring it to church if you are the lawful owner of the firearm, had all the necessary training and specifically obtained the weapon for exactly such a possible scenario as mentioned above?
The mere fact that we are attending a sermon, or find ourselves inside a church building, does not per se protect us from the criminals out there (in any event not our earthly mortal flesh and blood). If you are discreet and your co-church goers do not get too upset with the fact that you are carrying a firearm (also for their possible protection), then by all means, do so. It is not unlawful to do so.”
“Regarding the second question: the same principles that find application for private-defence (“self-defence”) which I explained in various other articles on this platform before, will find application here and must be adhered to in order to avoid a possible criminal conviction against the person using the firearm against the perpetrators. On the assumption that you used your firearm within the parameters and scope of the law regulating this type of defence, you will be acquitted if charged with an offence after firing at such intruders whether inside or outside the church.”
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.
