Before you may possess a firearm, you must obtain a firearm licence from the South African Police Service. You need a licence for every firearm that you possess.

Potential firearm owners must successfully undergo the prescribed training at an accredited training institution and obtain a competency certificate.

Who can apply for a firearm licence?

• Any person who is 21 years and older
• A South African citizen or a holder of a permanent South African residence permit.

What should you do to obtain a competency certificate?

• You must successfully pass the prescribed test to prove your knowledge of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No 60 of 2000), as well as the prescribed training and practical test regarding the safe and efficient handling of a firearm at an accredited training provider.
• The competency certificate remains valid for the same period of validity as the period determined in the Firearms Control Act, 2000, in respect of the licence to which the competency relates.
• A competency certificate must specify whether it relates to competency to
  • possess a firearm
  • trade in firearms
  • manufacture firearms
  • conduct business as a gunsmith.

How do I apply for a competency certificate?

• On receipt of the training certificate from an accredited training provider or the Professional Firearm Training Council (PFTC), you must apply to the SAPS for a competency certificate.
• You must complete a SAPS 517 form (Application for a competency certificate)
• Submit the application form and with the following supporting documentation to the designated firearms officer (DFO) at the police station in the area where you ordinarily reside:
• If an applicant is under the age of 21 years, compelling reasons which require you to obtain a competency certificate must be submitted.
  • conduct a business
  • must be gainfully employed
  • a dedicated hunter
  • a dedicated a sports person
  • a private collector
  • public collector
  • sworn affidavit from parent / guardian
• Certified copy of your official identification document or passport
• Certified copy of your permanent residence permit in case of a non- South African citizen
• Certified copy of your firearm proficiency training certificate issued by an accredited training provider
• Two passport-size colour photographs (with a neutral background) that are not older than three months
• Certified proof of residence
• Any other supporting documents.

Application for a further competency certificate

• You must complete a SAPS 517 (a) form (Application for further competency certificate)
• Submit the application form and with the following supporting documentation to the designated firearms officer (DFO) at the police station in the area where you ordinarily reside:
  • Certified copy of your official identification document or passport
  • Certified copy of your permanent residence permit in case of a non- South African citizen
  • Certified copy of your firearm proficiency training certificate issued by an accredited training provider
  • Certified copy of previous competency certificate
  • Two passport-size colour photographs (with a neutral background) that are not older than three months
  • Certified proof of residence
  • Any other supporting documents.

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.

The DFO will –

• take a full set of your fingerprints on the SAPS 91(a) form (only for a competency certificate)
• issue you with a remittance advice SAPS 523(a) and direct you to the financial office at the police station to pay the prescribed fee. The payment must be made by means of cash or a bank-guaranteed cheque. You will be issued with a receipt (Z263) as proof of payment, which you must submit to the DFO to ensure that the processing of the application will continue. You will receive a signed acknowledgement of receipt (SAPS 523) as proof that you have submitted an application for a licence to possess a firearm.
• after the successful consideration of your application, ask you to within 14 days, obtain and install a firearm safe that meets the standards set by the South African Bureau of Standards.
• carry out an inspection of your premises to ascertain that you have met the requirements for a safe.

How much does it cost? (This is payable at SAPS)

• Competency certificate: R88,00
• Firearm licence: R175,00