AWPDC FIrearm Academy

Licence to possess a firearm for self-defence (section 13)

A person may only possess one firearm for the purpose of this section, a shotgun that is not fully or semi-automatic, or a handgun that is not fully automatic. The licence, which is issued in terms of this section, is valid for five years from the date of issue, unless it is cancelled or terminated in terms of the Fi****ms Control Act, 2000.

Licence to possess a restricted firearm for self-defence (section 14)
A person may only possess one restricted firearm for the purpose of this section, which is a semi-automatic rifle or shotgun, which cannot readily be converted into a fully automatic firearm. The licence, which is issued in terms of this section, is valid for two years, unless it is cancelled or terminated in terms of the Fi****ms Control Act, 2000.

Licence to possess a firearm for occasional hunting or sports shooting (section 15)
A person may possess four fi****ms for the purpose of this section, which is a handgun not fully automatic; a rifle or shotgun, which is not fully/semi-automatic; or the barrel, frame or receiver of such a handgun, rifle or shotgun, which is regarded a firearm and must also be licensed.

If a person is in possession of a firearm licence for self-defence in terms of section 13, he/she may only apply for three firearm licences for the purpose of this section. Applications in terms of sections 13 and 15 collectively may not exceed four fi****ms.

The licence, which is issued in terms of this section, is valid for 10 years, unless it is cancelled or terminated in terms of the Fi****ms Control Act, 2000.

Supporting documents for occasional hunting:
Species of game an applicant wishes to hunt
Proof of participation in hunting activities
A letter indicating where hunting will take place
A declaration from the farm owner where hunting will take place
Detailed motivation regarding his/her interest in hunting.
Supporting documents for sports shooting:
Proof of participating in sports shooting
Written proof of discipline of sports shooting in which the applicant wishes to participate in
Proof of belonging to a sports shooting association, club or organisation
Success achieved in sports shooting activities
Detailed motivation regarding his/her interest in sports shooting.
Licence to possess a firearm for dedicated hunting or dedicated sports shooting (section 16) and professional hunting (section 16A)
The Fi****ms Control Act, 2000, does not put a limitation on the number of fi****ms a person may possess under this category. The fi****ms for the purpose of this section include a handgun, which is not fully automatic; a rifle or shotgun, which is not fully automatic; any semi-automatic shotgun manufactured to fire no more than five shots in succession without having to be reloaded or the barrel, frame or receiver of a handgun, rifle or shotgun, which is regarded as a firearm and must also be licensed.

The licence, which is issued in terms of this section, is valid for 10 years, unless it is cancelled or terminated in terms of the Fi****ms Control Act, 2000.
Supporting documents (section 16):
Documentary proof of dedicated membership of an accredited sports shooting organisation or hunting association
Supporting documents (section 16A):
Documentary proof of dedicated membership of an accredited professional hunting association.
Licence to possess a firearm in private collection (section 17)
A person may apply for a licence for any firearm which is of a collectible value, and has been approved for collection by an accredited collector’s association and must belong to an accredited collector’s association.

In terms of the Fi****ms Control Act, 2000, a person may apply for a licence to collect certain prohibited fi****ms and devices contemplated in section 4 of the Act. The Act does not put a limit on the number of fi****ms a person may possess under this category.

The licence, which is issued in terms of this section, is valid for 10 years, unless it is cancelled or terminated in terms of the Fi****ms Control Act, 2000.

Licence to possess a firearm and permit to possess ammunition in public collection (section 19)
The Registrar may issue a licence to possess a firearm in a public collection and a permit to possess ammunition in a public collection to a public collector. The firearm and ammunition may only be displayed in an accredited museum in accordance with such safety measures, as may be prescribed.

A firearm in respect of this section may only be used on an accredited shooting range in accordance with the rules of that shooting range and in accordance with the conditions that the Registrar may impose.

The holder of the permit may not possess more than 200 rounds of ammunition unless the Registrar approves the possession of the higher number in writing.

The licence, which is issued in terms of this section, is valid for 10 years, unless it is cancelled or terminated in terms of the Fi****ms Control Act, 2000.

Licence to possess a firearm for business purposes (section 20)
The Registrar may issue a licence in terms of this section to the following:
A security company
A person who is accredited to provide training in the use of fi****ms
A person who is accredited to provide fi****ms in theatrical, film or television productions
A person who is accredited as a game ranger
A person who is accredited to conduct business in hunting
Any person who is accredited to use fi****ms for such other business purpose as the Registrar may determine.
The following is a supporting document for a security company:
Documentary proof of registration with SIRA.
The following are supporting documents for training in the use of fi****ms; theatrical, film or television production; game ranger and business in hunting:
A certified copy of an accreditation certificate
The surname and identify numbers of all trainers in a business
Motivation to substantiate the application.
The licence, which is issued in terms of this section, namely the licence to possess a firearm for business purposes, is valid for five years, unless it is cancelled or terminated in terms of the Fi****ms Control Act, 2000.

Additional licence
A person may apply for additional licences in respect of sections 13, 14, 15, 16 and 16A.

The following requirements for additional licences must be met:
The applicant must reside at the same premises as the holder of the licence.
The applicant must comply with all requirements for the issuing of the licence to possess the respective firearm.
The additional licence forms part of the maximum number of fi****ms a person may license in terms of the respective categories.
The validity of the licence will be the same as that of the main licence that is issued.
The licence will be cancelled if the main licence is cancelled or terminated in terms of the Act.

How do I apply for a firearm licence?

After you have obtained a competency certificate, you must complete the relevant sections of the SAPS 271 form (application for a licence to possess a firearm).

Submit the completed SAPS 271 form and the following documents to the DFO at the police station in the area where you ordinarily reside:
- Certified copy of your official identification document (certified copy of applicant’s permanent residence permit in case of a non-South African citizen)
- Your original competency certificate
- The letter of appointment of the executor, if the firearm was inherited
- Two passport-size colour photographs (with a neutral background) that are not older than three months
- You must fully motivate your application and submit documents in support of your application.