Get or renew your firearm licence: what you must know

MBOMBELA – Existing and prospective firearm owners who want to apply for or renew their firearm licences can do so at the Nelspruit Police Station.

Lowvelder compiled this step-by-step instruction guide.

If you have never applied for a firearm licence before, you should know:

• The process starts at a firearm training centre, and not at the police station.
• The application process has two phases. Phase one establishes whether the applicant is competent to own and operate a gun. It takes 90 days.
• Phase two is the firearm licence application. This also takes 90 days.
• The two phases cannot be done at the same time.

Phase 1: Get your competency certificate

Step 1: Go to your nearest firearm training centre.

Step 2: Choose whether you want to operate a handgun, shotgun or rifle. The application for each type of gun is done and paid for separately.

Step 3: Pass the relevant course for the gun you seek to operate.

Step 4: Receive your training certificate. The certificate for a handgun is valid for five years. Certificates relating to shotguns or rifles remain valid for ten years. Once expired, the holder of a certificate must approach a training centre to obtain a new one.

Only after step 4 does the applicant approach the police station with his competency certificate.

Step 5: Visit the SAPS to apply for its competency certificate.

This is where the firearm licencing offices are located.

Take the following with you:

• Two copies of your identity document
• Two colour passport photos
• A copy of your training certificate in (4) with your training results
• R 70
• Two testimonials
• A competency application form (download below.)

Step 6: The police interviews your friends and/or family to ascertain whether you are competent to own a firearm.

Step 7: The police registers your application and takes it to the provincial police headquarters in Ferreira Street. This happens within seven days. Within two weeks, it is transported to the Central Firearms Register. The applicant’s background and criminal record are studied to ascertain whether he should be allowed to operate a gun. A panel approves or denies applications based on what has been placed before it.

The process must be completed within 90 days. This was the rationale behind section 24 of the Firearms Control Act, which requires that a licence holder must renew his licence 90 days before it expires.

Phase two: The firearm licence

Step 1: Obtain a competency certificate from the police as explained above.

Step 2: Go back to your nearest police station.

Take the following with you:

• Two copies of your identity document
• Two colour passport photos
• A copy of your training certificate in (4) with your training results
• R 140
• Two testimonials
• A firearm licence application form (download below.)

Step 3: The police registers this application and takes it to the provincial police headquarters in Ferreira Street. This takes a week. Within two weeks, it is transported to the Central Firearms Register. Your application should be approved or denied in 90 days.

Do you want to renew your existing firearm licence?

Step 1: Ensure that your competency certificate is still valid. If it is not, follow the steps above to obtain a competency certificate.

Step 2:

Go back to your nearest police station.

Take the following with you:

• Two copies of your identity document
• Two colour passport photos
• A copy of your training certificate in (4) with your training results
• R 140
• Two testimonials
• A firearm licence application form. Obtain the relevant form from the police station.

Step 3: The same procedure applies as with the granting of first licences. Your application should be approved or denied in 90 days.

The office is open between 07:30 and 16:00.

The police’s Capt Ronel Bekker advised applicants to arrive prepared, as incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Lowvelders should take note of the following:

• You may only apply for a competency certificate or firearm licence at the police station in which operational district you reside. Applicants who live in one area and work in another can be assisted where they are employed if they are unable to visit their local police stations in office hours.

• A notification SMS is sent to a applicant during the various stages of the applications. Make sure that the police have your cellphone number.

• Nelspruit SAPS tracks the progress of all applications weekly. Yet the responsibility rests with the applicant to make himself aware of his application’s progress. Phone the firearms licensing office and keep yourself informed.

• If your firearm licence has expired, visit the police as soon as possible. “Do not fear that you will be arrested. We are here to help you in the first place and to ensure that those who need firearm licences can apply for them,” said Bekker.

• Apply for a competency certificate relating only to the gun you seek to operate. “Training centres are expensive, don’t waste your money,” warned Bekker.

• A firearm may only be used in accordance with the licence issued pertaining thereto.

• “Firearms must be concealed. You should not walk around with it on your hip if you are not a member of the police, official institution or employed with a security company and authorised to do so. You must be in uniform* and your possession of a firearm authorised by the relevant licence or permit,” warned Bekker.

• The local police station has unclaimed firearm licences dating back to 2006. If you applied and never collected your firearm licence, visit the police station to do so or to restart the process, if necessarry.

• A direct telephone line has been installed for the firearm licence offices. Call 013-759-1419 with any queries. You may also call WO Rodney Mathane from the Nelspruit Firearm Office at 013-759-1330.

* Readers are advised that detectives may operate in civilian attire.

Download prescribed forms here.