Women and guns
In many areas of South Africa, women are perceived to have lower social value and power, and that men have the right to control women. This can lead to intimate partner violence (IPV).
IPV is a particular form of gender-based violence, and includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and controlling behaviours by a current or former intimate partner or spouse.
Research shows that living in a house with a gun increases the risk of gun violence. In cases of intimate partner assault, death is 12 times more likely if there is a gun involved.

- Threatening to shoot their partner.
- Cleaning, holding or loading a gun during an argument.
- Threatening to shoot a person or pet the partner cares about.
- Shooting a gun during an argument with their partner.
WHAT IS GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (GBV)?
DID YOU KNOW?
WHAT IS A PROTECTION ORDER?
The oscar pistorius trial
Myths
The biggest risk for a woman is stranger danger.
Fact: A national study found that more women (57%) were murdered by their husbands and boyfriends than by strangers.
You cannot tell when a woman is in danger of being killed by her partner or former partner.
Fact: If there are signs of an abusive relationship and especially if there is a gun in the house, a woman is in danger of being killed.
A legal gun in the home protects women, it is illegal guns that are used in domestic violence.
Fact: Research has shown that legal gun ownership significantly increases the risk of intimate femicide-suicide, with two-thirds (66%) of intimate femicide-suicide perpetrators in 1999 owning a legal gun.
If you safely store your legal gun at home, then there is no risk.
Fact: No matter how guns are stored, what type or how many you own, having a gun in your home significantly increases the risk of death for you, your spouse and your children.
Take Action
Know the law, use the law, save a life
Don’t turn a blind eye to gender based violence
Stand up to men who are being abusive
Support the international #GunFreeValentine campaign
