before the deadline: Don't get caught in the queue, renew now!!
28 February 2006
All persons whose birthdays fall between 1 January and 31 March are urged to
immediately renew their firearm licences, permits or authorisations before the
extended cut off date of 31 March 2006. Failure to renew a firearm licence,
permit or authorisation within the set extended period may result in a criminal
offence.
All persons who apply after the extended renewal period for the renewal of
their firearm licences, permits or authorisations may be prosecuted for failing
to renew their firearm licences within the stipulated period and if convicted
in a court of law, they may be sentenced up to a period of one year
imprisonment or to a fine or to both such imprisonment and fine. Such
conviction may also lead to a person being disqualified to possess a firearm in
future.
However, firearm licences issued under the repealed Arms and Ammunition Act
of 1969 will cease to be valid on 30 June 2009. It is also important to note
that the new cut-off dates for relicensing of firearm licences issued under the
Arms and Ammunition Act, 1969 are now as follows:
Date of birth: 1 January - 31 March
Renewal Period: until 31 March 2006
Date of birth: 1 April - 30 June
Renewal Period: 1 January 2006 until 31 March 2007
Date of birth: 1 July - 30 September
Renewal Period: 1 January 2007 until 31 March 2008
Date of birth: 1 October - 31 December
Renewal Period: 1 January 2008 until 31 March 2009
Firearm owners born between 1 January and 31 March are urged to
simultaneously apply for their competency certificates as well as for the
renewal of their firearm licences, permits or authorisations. The SAPS will
still accept training certificates issued by accredited training providers for
the renewal of firearm licences, permits or authorisations until 31 March 2006.
If a firearm owner select not to renew her/his firearm licence, permit or
authorisation within the extended renewal period such person must dispose of
their firearms before 1 July 2009.
A firearm owner may dispose of the firearm in one of the following
manners:
* Deactivation of the firearm by a licensed gunsmith after approval from the
Registrar;
* Selling of the firearm to a licensed firearm dealer;
* Permanent exportation of the firearm;
* Selling/donating of the firearm to another person who has legally obtained a
firearm licence;
* Voluntarily hand the firearm to the SAPS for destruction;
* Selling of the firearm to an accredited legal entity.
The renewal process might be seen as tedious but it is an extremely
important process, which enables the authorities to address firearm control in
South Africa. A renewal applicant must follow the following steps.
Step 1:
The first step for the owner of any firearm will be to successfully complete
the prescribed test on the knowledge of the Firearms Control Act, 2000. This
has to be done at an accredited training service provider. Information on
accredited training providers are available from Designated Firearms
Officers.
Step 2:
After receiving the training certificate the firearm applicant must complete a
competency certificate application form together with the renewal form for all
existing firearms that need to be renewed at the relevant Designated Firearms
Officer in the area where the owner ordinarily resides. The firearm owner has
to complete the relevant sections of the SAPS 517 (Application for a competency
certificate) and SAPS 517 (e) (Application for the renewal of a licence in
terms of the previous Act) forms. The applicant should note that the SAPS 517
(e) has an annexure that must be completed for each firearm licence that is
renewed. The applicant should provide a concise and adequate motivation and
also indicate the category and the main purpose or use of the firearm.
Step 3:
The firearm owner must take the following original documents when applying for
the renewed licences:
* An original official identity document.
* The original firearm licence(s), permit(s) or authorisation(s) for the
firearm(s) that must be renewed.
* The original training certificate obtained from an accredited training
provider.
* Two clear, colour passport size photographs, not older than three (3)
months.
* A fee of R70 for the competency certificate and R70 for each firearm licence
that must be renewed.
The payment must either be made in cash or with a bank guaranteed cheque.
The firearm owner will receive an expenditure receipt (Z263) as proof of
payment.
Step 4:
After submitting the respective applications for the renewal of the firearm
licence(s) and competency certificates, the Designated Firearms Officer will
issue an acknowledgement of receipt (SAPS 523) as proof.
Step 5:
The Designated Firearms Officer will:
* Obtain a full set of fingerprints on a SAPS 91(a) form.
* Conduct a background evaluation of the firearm owner.
* Conduct a physical inspection of the firearm safe of the owner to ensure that
it complies with the standards set by the South African Bureau of
Standards.
If the existing safe complies with the requirements of the Arms and
Ammunition Regulations, 1994, the Designated Firearms Officer will issue a safe
certificate to certify that it is considered acceptable.
Step 6:
The Designated Firearms Officer will contact the firearm owner to collect the
competency certificate (if not already issued) and the firearm licence after it
has been approved.
Step 7:
If the application for a competency certificate and/or the renewal for a
firearm licence is refused, a letter with reasons will be posted to the
applicant's postal address as provided on the respective application forms.
Step 8:
If an application is refused, an appeal against the refusal may be directed to
the:
Chairperson of the Appeals Board,
Private Bag X811,
Pretoria,
0001.
The existing firearm licence, permit or authorisation will be valid until
the renewed firearm licence has been issued. The limitation on the number of
rounds of ammunition that may be possessed by the existing firearm owner is
only applicable after the renewed firearm licence has been issued.
For more information, visit the SAPS website on www.saps.gov.za or phone the
National Firearms Call Centre on (012) 353 6111 or contact your local
Designated Firearms Officer.
Enquiries:
Dir Phuti Setati
Media Relations
Communication and Liaison Services
Cell: 082 778 4312
Issued by: South African Police Service
28 February 2006
