South Africa continues to record alarmingly high levels of firearm-related violent crime, with firearms responsible for over half of all homicides in recent years. Despite the introduction of the Firearms Control Act (2000) and the Firearms Control Amendment Bill (2022), the proliferation of illegal firearms, weak enforcement capacity, and entrenched socio-economic inequalities have undermined the effectiveness of these policies. This study seeks to critically evaluate the role of firearm legislation in controlling violent crime in South Africa, focusing on both policy effectiveness and enforcement challenges. The purpose of the study is to assess whether firearm legislation has reduced gun-related violence, to identify barriers to enforcement, and to explore how socio-economic drivers interact with firearm-related crime. The problem statement is that while South Africa has one of the most comprehensive firearm control frameworks in Africa, violent crime involving firearms continues to escalate, raising questions about the practical impact of legislation in a context marked by inequality, corruption, and weak policing capacity. A systematic methodological approach was adopted, combining policy and legislative analysis, secondary data from SAPS Annual Reports (2020–2024) and UNODC statistics, as well as a review of scholarly literature and policy documents. This triangulation allowed for an integrated evaluation of legal frameworks, enforcement realities, and socio-economic contexts. The study’s main contribution lies in providing a balanced, evidence-based assessment of firearm legislation in South Africa, highlighting the gap between policy intentions and enforcement realities, and offering recommendations that integrate law, policing, and social development. Firearm legislation has had some success in reducing legal firearm misuse but is undermined by the circulation of illegal firearms. Enforcement challenges including corruption, registry backlogs, and porous borders severely limit the deterrent effect of legislation. Socio-economic conditions such as poverty, unemployment, and gang activity significantly fuel firearm-related crime despite strong laws. Public mistrust in SAPS undermines compliance and weakens the legitimacy of firearm control measures. In conclusion, the study emphasizes that legislation alone cannot reduce firearm-related violence. A holistic approach is required, integrating effective enforcement, community trust-building, socioeconomic development, and regional cooperation to control illegal firearms. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, law enforcement, and communities, reinforcing that firearm control in South Africa must be understood not only as a legal matter but also as a broader social and security imperative.