An Investigation Of The Increase Of Gun Crimes In Namibia: A Case Study Of Katutura, 2005-2010

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at investigating the causes of the increase of gun crimes in Katutura from 2006 to 2010. It is also investigating ways how guns are increasingly misused, factors such as availability of guns, common categories of gun crimes, age, sex and what influences gun crime. There are perceptions that violent crime is rife in the Katutura in Khomas Region in particular hence some of the people have acquired licensed firearms intended for self-defense.

The research reviewed a number of aspects of the cause of the increase of gun crimes in Namibia particularly in Katutura, including the inadequacy of existing gun control laws; the adequacy of existing law on gun crimes, the context of gun abuse, the community most affected by it, and vulnerable victims, the age group, gender of criminals, vulnerable victims, the police, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) NANGOF and the respondent’s suggestions to minimise the problem of the increase of gun crimes in Katutura. This study also reviewed literature dealing with criminals, psychological, sociological, crime and crime control theories pertinent to gun crimes. The study used combined qualitative and quantitative methods. Structured and unstructured questionnaires (open-ended) were used. About 30 key respondents were interviewed. Respondents were in three categories, namely, victims of gun crimes, convicts of gun crimes and professionals such as, the police, Members of Parliament (MPs) and NGOs. The Police provided qualitative and quantitative data on gun crime statistics and data of the victims for interview.