• New Firearms Legislation in Effect From 1 July 2004
• How to Apply for a Licence
• How Long is the Licence Valid For?
• How Many Firearms Can One Person Own?
• What if I Have an Existing Licence?
• What Are My Responsibilities if I Own or Want to Own a Gun?
• Further Information

On 1 July 2004, new firearms controls entered into effect. The legislation governing the licencing of firearms is the Firearms Control Act. This law requires people who apply for firearm licences to undergo a competency test. There is a period between 2004 and Dec 2006 during which existing firearms owners will be able to renew their licences.

In order to get a licence for a firearm, you must:

• Get a competency certificate
• Apply for a licence

The competency certificate is a new aspect of firearms licencing in South Africa. To get the certificate, the applicant must:

• Be 21 years old
• Pass a thorough background check
• Not have a criminal record for a variety of crimes
• Know the law
• Know how to use a firearm (you must have completed a basic training course at an accredited training institution).

The certificate is valid for five years and must be valid at the time of applying for the licence.

The police or a court can declare you unfit to carry a firearm. This declaration lasts for five years.

To apply for the competency certificate you need to complete the application form (SAPS 517) and submit it to the Designated Firearms Officer (DFO) at your nearest police station. SAPS have prepared detailed instructions on how to complete the application form for a competency certificate.

If you have a valid competency certificate, you can then apply for a firearms licence. To apply for the licence you need to:

• Submit an application form (Form SAP 271) at the police station nearest to your home and pay a prescribed fee by affixing a revenue stamp to the application form. SAPS have prepared detailed instructions on completing the form.
• Sign a form indicating that you are aware of the law applicable to firearm owners.
• Make a declaration regarding any previous convictions you may have.
• Have your fingerprints taken.

Only very small or satellite police stations do not have a DFO. Even if a station does not have a DFO, there will be someone at the police station who will help you. The DFO will help you with completing the form and interview you. Some DFOs require applicants to make a prior appointment.

When you have submitted the application, the DFO will issue you a confirmation of receipt certificate and then process your application. This process involves a safe-inspection visit, where the DFO visits your home and checks that your safe or strong room complies with the regulations, and may also involve telephone or in-person interviews with your partner and employer. The DFO will also check for a criminal record or a record of domestic violence, and whether you already have a firearm licence.

Having carried out all the checks, the DFO will forward the application form and supporting documentation to the Central Firearms Register (CFR) in Pretoria, along with a recommendation on whether or not a licence should be granted. The CFR then makes the final decision. The entire process usually takes about two months, if there are no problems with the application. Should a licence be refused, you may file an appeal.

All firearms licences must be renewed every:

• Two years for business purposes
• Five years for self-defence
• Ten years for hunting or sports shooting

The law limits the number of guns for which you can get a licence, depending on your needs:

• One gun for self-defence
• Up to four firearms for occasional hunters or sportsshooters (but only one handgun)
• No limit for dedicated hunters and sports shooters, but you must prove that you are a member of a hunting or sports organisation and must show a need for additional firearms
• No limit for people who use firearms for business purposes (eg security companies, firearm instructors, game hunters) but there strict conditions apply.

If you have a firearm that was licensed in terms of the old legislation and the licence was valid on 30 June 2004, this licence is still valid until it is renewed in terms of the new Firearms Control Act. There is a schedule setting out when you need to renew the licence by. The schedule is linked to your date of birth.

If you submitted an application for a licence before 30 June 2004, this application will still be processed.

You must get basic training from an accredited trainer. All accredited trainers are issued with compentency certificates from SAPS.

You can only buy a firearm from a registered dealer.

If your firearm is lost or stolen, or our documents are damaged, you need to report this to the police.

You may only own 200 rounds of ammunition for each gun you own and can only have ammunition that is suitable for that particular gun. (This does not apply to dedicated hunters or sports people.)

If you need further information you can contact the appointed Designated Firearms Officer at your nearest police station. Or you can call the firearms call centre during office hours at 012 353 6111 or e-mail firearms@saps.org.za.