N.B. ONLY HOLDERS OF A SECTION 16 LICENSE ARE ABLE TO PURCHASE MORE THAN 200 ROUNDS.
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 (i.e. pump action shotgun), 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.
Licence to possess a firearm for occasional hunting or sports shooting (section 15)
A person may possess four additional firearms for the purpose of this section, which is a handgun not fully automatic; a rifle or shotgun, which is not fully/semi-automatic (i.e. pump action shotgun); 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 firearms.
The licence, which is issued in terms of this section, is valid for 10 years.
- Supporting documents for occasional hunting when applying for licence:
- Membership certificate with club/association (if you’re a member – not compulsory but advisable)
- 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 when applying for licence:
- 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 Firearms Control Act, 2000, does not put a limitation on the number of firearms a person may possess under this category. The firearms 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.
- 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.
Additional licence
(i.e. a secondary license holder on ONE firearm)
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 firearms 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.