Renew firearm licences 90 days before expiry date

Applications for the renewal of firearm licences must be lodged at least 90 days before the expiry of the licence.
Applications for renewal may, however, be considered if the application is lodged in less than 90 days, in which case reasons for the late application must be provided on the application form.

Licences for which renewal applications have been lodged will remain valid until application has been decided upon. Renewal of firearms licences in terms of Section 24 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act 60 of 2000). Section 24 provides that: “The holder of a licence issued in terms of this Chapter who wishes to renew the licence must at least 90 days before the date of expiry of the licence apply to the Registrar for its renewal”.
In terms of the Interim Court Order in the SA Hunters matter, the “Green Licences” issued under the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1969 (Act 75 of 1969) remains valid.

This order covers persons who at no stage migrated to the current Act of 2000, their applications must be dealt with as new applications and the person would remain in lawful possession of the relevant firearm under the”Green Licence” until the application has been decided upon.

In the case where a person wants to renew or apply for a licence, but the validity of the licence has already expired, the person must be informed that he/she is not anymore in lawful possession of the firearm and that the firearm must be surrendered, the owner will not be prosecuted.

For further information, kindly contact your next Designated Firearms Officer (DFO) office at the local police station.