before the deadline: donât get caught in the queue, renew now!
10 August 2006
All persons whose birthdays fall between 1 April and 31 June are urged to
immediately renew their firearm licences, permits or authorisations before the
cut-off date of 31 March 2007.
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 However, firearm licences issued under the repealed Arms and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 re-licensing of firearm
licences are now as follows:
Date of birth: 1 April to 30 June - Renewal period: 1 January 2006 until 31
March 2007
Date of birth: 1 July to 30 September - Renewal period:: 1 January 2007 until
31 March 2008
Date of birth: 1 October to 31 December - Renewal period: 1 January 2008 until
31 March 2009
The deadline for business to renew firearm licences is 31 December 2006.
This applies to the following businesses:
* security companies
* training providers
* game ranchers
* other business purposes
* hunting businesses
* theatrical, film and television companies.
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 South African Police Service 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 one:
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 is available from Designated Firearms
Officers.
Step two:
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 three:
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
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 four:
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 five:
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 six:
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 seven:
If the application for a competency certificate and the renewal for a
firearm licence are refused, a letter with reasons will be posted to the
applicantâs postal address as provided on the respective application forms.
Step eight:
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 http://www.saps.gov.za or phone the National
Firearms Call Centre on (012) 353 6111 or contact your local Designated
Firearms Officer.
Media Enquiries:
Dir Phuti Setati
Media Relations
Cell: 082 778 4312
Issued by: South African Police Service
10 August 2006
