Firearms: Frequently Asked Questions

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• Your original official identity document
• The original firearm licences, permit or authorization for the firearm(s) you wish to renew
• The original training certificate obtained from an accredited training provider / SASSETA
• The original competency certificate (if already issued)
• Four unobscured passport size colour photographs, not older than three months (two photographs are required for all firearm licences you wish to renew and two for the application for a competency certificate).

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Step 1:

On receipt of the training certificate, the applicant must simultaneously complete the relevant sections of the SAPS 517 (Application for a competency certificate) and SAPS 517(e) (application for the renewal of a licence in terms of the previous Act) forms. Please note that the SAPS 517(e) has an Annexure “A” that must be completed for each firearm that is to be renewed. The applications and the supporting documents must be taken to the DFO at the Police Station nearest to your place of residence. The applicant should provide a concise and adequate motivation and also indicate the category and the main purpose or use of the firearm.

Step 2

The firearm owner must take the following original documents when applying for the renewal of his /her firearm licence:

• The applicant’s original official identity document.
• The original firearm licence(s), permit(s) or authorization(s) for the firearm(s) that must be renewed.
• The original training certificate obtained from an accredited training provider / SASSETA.
• Four clear and legible passport size photographs, not older than three (3) months.
• A fee of R70 for the competency certificate and R70 for each firearm licence that must be renewed. The payment must either be made in cash or a bank guaranteed cheque. The firearm owner will receive an expenditure receipt (Z263) as proof of payment.

Step 3

After submitting the respective applications for the renewal of your firearm licence(s) and competency certificates, the Designated Firearms Officer will issue a signed acknowledgement of receipt (SAPS 523) as proof of receipt of the respective applications.

Step 4

The Designated Firearms Officer will:

• Obtain a full set of fingerprints on a SAPS 91(a) form.
• Conduct a background evaluation of the firearm owner.
• Conduct physical inspection of the firearm safe of the owner to ensure that it complies with the Firearms Control Regulations, 2004.

If the existing safe complies with the requirements of the Arms and Ammunition Regulations, 1994, the Designated Firearms Officer will issue a safe certificate to this effect certifying that the safe is considered acceptable.

Step 5

The Designated Firearms Officer will contact the firearm owner to collect the competency certificate (if already issued) and the firearm licence after it has been approved.

Step 6

If the application for a competency certificate and/or the renewal of firearm is refused, a letter with reasons will be posted to the applicant’s postal address as provided on the respective application forms.

Step 7

If an application is refused, an appeal against the refusal may be directed to the chairperson of the Appeal Board, Private Bag X353, Pretoria, 0001.

The existing firearm licence, permit or authorization will remain valid until the renewed firearm licence has been issued. The limitation on the number of rounds of ammunition that may be possessed by the existing firearm owner is only applicable after the renewed firearm licence has been issued.

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Section 13: Licence to possess firearm for self-defence: The individual can only possess one firearm for self defence (This may include a handgun that is not fully automatic or a shotgun that is not fully automatic or semi-automatic.)

• The licence is valid for five years.
• The individual is limited to a maximum of 200 rounds of ammunition per firearm.

Section 15: Licence to possess firearm for occasional hunting and sports-shooting: The individual may possess up to four firearms for occasional hunting or occasional sports-shooting. (This may include a handgun for self defence and firearms such as shotguns, sporting rifles and target rifles that are not semi-automatic or fully-automatic). Documentary proof must be produced that the applicant from time to time participates in hunting activities or sports-shooting activities.

If a person already has a licence for a self defence firearm or an additional licence, he or she can only apply for a maximum of three firearms in this category.

• The barrel, frame or receiver of a firearm that is kept separately from the firearm must also be licenced and will be added to the total number of firearms owned.
• The licence is valid for ten years.
• Occasional hunters and occasional sports persons are limited to possess no more than 200 rounds of ammunition per firearm

Section 16: Licence to possess firearm for dedicated hunting and dedicated sports-shooting: There is no limitation to the number of firearms that may be possessed. An applicant must be a dedicated member of an accredited hunting association or an accredited sports-shooting organization.

The application must be accompanied by a solemn declaration or sworn statement from the accredited hunting association or sport-shooting organization stating that the applicant is a registered member of that association.

Dedicated hunters and dedicated sports persons are permitted to possess more than 200 rounds of ammunition per firearm (a SAPS 540 form should however be completed to possess more than 200 rounds of ammunition).

The licence is valid for a period of ten years.

Section 17: Licence to possess firearm in private collection:  There is no limitation to the number of firearms that may be possessed. An applicant must be a member of an accredited private collectors association.

The application must be accompanied by a solemn declaration or sworn statement from the chairperson accredited collectors association stating that the applicant is a registered member of that association. The firearm must be approved for collection by the accredited collectors association.
 

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• Sell the firearm to a licenced dealer;
• Sell the firearm to another person who has successfully obtained a licence to possess the particular firearm;
• Have the firearm deactivated by a licenced gunsmith after approval has been received from the Central Firearms Register;
• Hand the firearm(s) to the South African Police Service for destruction (this service is free of charge);
• Permanently export the firearm; or
• Sell the firearm to a legal entity eg. A registered Security service provider.
   

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