AfriForum Youth branch facilitates successful firearm training for students

AfriForum Youth’s Tuks branch, in collaboration with AfriForum’s Community Safety Division, facilitated firearm training for students from the University of Pretoria (Tuks), Sol-Tech and Akademia last week. More than 13 students participated in the training in an effort to learn more about personal safety and responsible firearm handling.

During the training, students were introduced to the basic principles of safe firearm use and were taught how to load a firearm safely and position themselves correctly before taking a shot. The training focused not only on technical skills but also placed strong emphasis on the legal and ethical implications of firearm use. Students were specifically taught when it is appropriate to use a firearm and when it is not.

“A firearm is not a toy that can be handled recklessly. It is therefore important that young adults are taught discipline when it comes to handling firearms. If young adults have the necessary knowledge, the next generation will handle firearms responsibly and safely. This training forms part of AfriForum Youth’s vision to equip students with practical safety skills and to empower them to act responsibly in challenging situations,” says Yvonne Gerber, Youth Development Officer at AfriForum Youth.

Interest in this type of training exceeded expectations and plans are already under way to facilitate a similar session in the near future to give more students the opportunity to attend the training.

AfriForum Youth believes that safety, responsibility and self-discipline are key aspects of student development, and that practical training sessions such as these better prepare young adults to protect themselves and their communities.