In the video below Gideon Joubert of Paratus discusses a very concerning matter that had to be settled in court regarding serial numbers on the barrels of numerous firearms that were being imported to South Africa. In December of 2024, a decision by the Central Firearms Registry (CFR) regarding firearm serial numbers nearly resulted in an entire shipment of Glock pistols (and other firearms) from being blocked and prohibited entry into South Africa.
“The CFR unilaterally decided that one-piece chamber areas on pistol barrels were somehow not part of the barrel itself – despite being a single part- and that every handgun requires a serial number to be engraved on the round part of their barrels – wholly contrary to how the regulations have been applied for years,” explained Joubert.
Fortunately this decision was overturned after a case at the Pretoria High Court where the South African Arms and Ammunition Dealers Association (SAAADA) challenged this decision by CFR. Other persons including Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron were also involved. The judge ultimately ruled that the serial number may be engraved anywhere on the barrel.
