In Namibia, from 2002 to 2007, 7192 crimes involving weapons, were committed and 327 lives were lost.  Last year alone, 564 complaints involving weapons were made to the police,  whilst the year before 463 cases of armed robbery were reported.  Last year 11 882 new firearm licence applications were received of which 10 467 were granted.
“This indicates the problem of firearms and the misuse of such in the country.  It is worrisome and a challenge which needs the involvement of every Namibian”, said the Minister of Safety and Security, Dr Nickey Iyambo, at the launch of the national campaign on small arms and light weapons in Namibia.  He requested Namibians to hand in all illegal weapons.

Britain places a high priority on the reduction of small arms and light weapons through its strategy on such weapons.  “Insecurity caused by armed violence is one of the biggest worries of the poor and hinders development to a great extent”, British High Commissioner, HE Mr Mark Bensberg, said at the launch.

In 2006 Britain entered into a partnership with the Ministry of Safety and Security regarding small arms and light weapons, and has thus far granted N$4.2 million towards the action plan.  Namibia launched the action plan under the title “Talk, don’t shoot”.  This awareness programme was launched to give training about the action plan about small arms and light weapons, with the aim to halt the increase of weapons, reduce demand, promote responsible handling and management thereof, as well as awareness of the dangers of explosives.

The public awareness programme will be launched in all 13 regions of Namibia, to change behaviour of weapon owners, convince the public to be responsible with security issues, act as police in the community, to solve conflict, and promote peace, to encourage the public to hand in illegal as well as legal weapons to the police, and to create a good understanding about the dangers of weapons.