South Africa
Firearms Control Act, 2000
Firearms Control Regulations, 2004
Government Notice R345 of 2004
- Published in Government Gazette 26156 on 26 March 2004
- Commenced on 1 July 2004
- [This is the version of this document as it was from 9 March 2020 to 4 July 2021.]
- [Amended by Firearms Control Regulations: Amendment (Government Notice R696 of 2005) on 16 September 2005]
- [Amended by Firearms Control Regulations: Amendment (Government Notice R1208 of 2010) on 10 January 2011]
- [Amended by Firearms Control Amendment Act, 2006: Commencement (Proclamation R9 of 2012) on 1 March 2012]
- [Amended by Firearms Control Regulations: Amendment (Government Notice 275 of 2020) on 9 March 2020]
Chapter 1
Introductory provisions
1. Definitions
In these regulations any word or expression to which a meaning has been assigned in the Act, shall have that meaning and, unless the context otherwise indicates—"accredited shooting range" means a shooting range or tunnel that complies with an applicable compulsory specification set in terms of the Standards Act, 1993 (Act No. 29 of 1993);"applicant" includes a natural person or juristic person acting through its responsible person;"conduct business in hunting" means a licensed professional hunter who is accredited by the Registrar in terms of the Act and who escorts a client for reward to enable such client to hunt wild animals or licensed hunting outfitter who is accredited by the Registrar and who presents or organises the hunting of wild animals for clients;[definition of "conduct business in hunting" substituted by section 2(a) of Proclamation R9 of 2012]"dedicated procedure" means action or procedure directed at promoting conformity with the Act;"firearm transporter" means a person contemplated in section 86 of the Act;"game farm" means an extensive farm that is fenced in such manner—(a)that game on land outside the fence cannot readily gain access to the land which is fenced;(b)that game cannot readily escape from the land which is fenced; and(c)on which herds of game are kept or raised for the purpose of game farming;"game farming" means large scale farming operations consisting of breeding and running game on a game farm for the purpose of the game being hunted or harvested for their meat, carcasses, skins or as a trophy, against payment of a fee;"hunting outfitter" means a person who presents or organises the hunting of game for reward and who is licensed as such in terms of an applicable provincial legislation;"immediately" means by the end of the following normal business day;"import" in relation to firearms or ammunition means to bring them, or cause them to be brought, from outside the Republic of South Africa into the Republic of South Africa and includes the bringing thereof into the Republic of South Africa at any harbour or airport or other place on board any vessel or aircraft or other means of conveyance, irrespective of whether or not the firearms or ammunition are off-loaded from such vessel or aircraft or other means of conveyance for conveyance through the Republic of South Africa to any place outside the Republic of South Africa or for any other purpose, or are intended to be so off-loaded; and "import", when used as a verb, shall have a corresponding meaning;"in transit" means the conveyance through the Republic of South Africa to another country firearms or ammunition that has been imported;"main firearm component" means the barrel, frame, receiver, slide, bolt or breech-block of a firearm;"multiple import-export permit" means an import and export permit authorising the multiple import and export of a specific firearm or ammunition during a specified period;"person in good standing" means a person who—(a)is and remains acceptable to an accredited hunting association, sports-shooting association, professional hunters association or collectors' association as a dedicated member, professional hunter or collector, as the case may be;(b)complies with the aims and objectives of the Act in respect of his or her status as a dedicated hunter or dedicated sports person, professional hunter, or collector, as the case may be;[definition of "person in good standing" substituted by section 2(b) of Proclamation R9 of 2012]"police station" includes the offices of a Designated Firearms Officer and a government office designated by the Registrar at which a function in terms of the Act as specified by the Registrar may be exercised;"Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority" means the Authority as defined in section 1(1) of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, 2001 (Act No. 56 of 2001);[definition of "Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority" inserted by section 1(a) of Government Notice R696 of 2005]"professional hunter" means a person who offers or agrees to escort any other person for reward to hunt game and who is licensed as such in terms of applicable provincial legislation;"public collection" means a collection of firearms or ammunition intended to be displayed to the public;"record" means recorded information regardless of form or medium;"relevant Designated Firearms Officer" means the Designated Firearms Officer responsible for the area in which the applicant ordinarily resides, and if an application under these regulations pertains to a business of the applicant, the Designated Firearms Officer responsible for the area in which the business is or will be situated, as the case may be;"SABS" means the South African Bureau of Standards referred to in section 2(1) of the Standards Act, 1993 (Act No. 29 of 1993);"secure locking device" means a device that can only be opened or released by the use of an electronic, magnetic or mechanical key or by setting the device in accordance with an alphabetical or numerical combination and when affixed to a firearm, prevents the firearm from being detached from a fixed structure);"security service" means a security service as defined in section 1(1) of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, 2001 (Act No. 56 of 2001);[definition of "security service" inserted by section 1(b) of Government Notice R696 of 2005]"State" means an organ of State as defined in section 239 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996);"the Act" means the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000); and"unloaded" means that any propellant, projectile or cartridge which can be discharged from the firearm is not contained in the breech-block or firing chamber of the firearm nor in the cartridge, magazine or cylinder attached to or inserted into the firearm.Chapter 2
Accreditation
2. General provisions relating to accreditation
3. Accreditation of public collector
3A. Accreditation of a museum
4. Accreditation of hunting association or sports-shooting organisation
4A. Accreditation of professional hunting association
5. Accreditation of collectors association
6. Accreditation of shooting ranges
7. Accreditation to provide training in use of firearms
8. Accreditation to provide firearms for use in theatrical, film or television productions
An applicant who applies for accreditation to provide firearms for use in theatrical, film or television productions must, in addition to the relevant information required by regulation 2, submit—9. Accreditation of game rancher
A person who applies for accreditation as a game rancher, as contemplated in section 20(2)(d) of the Act, must, in addition to the relevant information required by regulation 2, submit—10. Accreditation to conduct business in hunting
An applicant who applies to be accredited to conduct business in hunting must, in addition to the relevant information required by regulation 2, submit—11. Accreditation for other business purposes as determined by the Registrar
12. Accreditation as an Official Institution
A government institution as contemplated in section 95(a)(vi) of the Act that applies for accreditation must, in addition to the relevant information required by regulation 2, submit—Chapter 3
General provisions regarding application for competency certificate, further competency certificate, licence, permit, temporary authorisation, duplicate and renewal
13. General provisions regarding applications required in terms of the Act
14. Specific provisions regarding competency certificates
Chapter 4
Licence to possess a firearm
15. Prohibited firearms, and devices or restricted firearms that may be licensed in a private collection
[heading substituted by section 10(a) of Proclamation R9 of 2012]The following prohibited firearms, devices or restricted firearms may be licensed under section 17 of the Act:16. Safety measures for the display of firearms in a private collection
A private collector may publicly display a firearm if—17. Conditions regarding the possession of ammunition in a private collection
The Registrar may issue a permit as contemplated in section 18(2) of the Act to a private collector that qualifies in terms of the Act and who is—18. Safety measures for the display of ammunition in a private collection
A private collector may display ammunition only if—19. Prohibited firearms and devices and restricted firearms that may be licensed in a public collection
[heading substituted by section 13(a) of Proclamation R9 of 2012]The following prohibited firearms and devices may be licensed under section 19 of the Act—20. Safety measures for the display of firearms in a public collection and museum
[heading amended by section 14(a) of Proclamation R9 of 2012]A public collector and museum may display a firearm only if—21. Conditions regarding the providing of a firearm for use by another person in respect of a licence to possess a firearm for business purposes
22. Registers in respect of a holder of a licence for business purposes
23. Application for a temporary authorisation to possess a firearm
24. Conditions applicable to a temporary authorisation to possess a firearm
25. Records in respect of temporary authorisations to possess a firearm
The Office of the Central Firearms Register must with regard to a temporary authorisation to possess a firearm keep a record of the—26. Annual report to be submitted to the Minister
The Registrar must submit an annual report to the Minister regarding the temporary authorisation to possess firearms containing the—27. Conditions in respect of use of firearm possessed in terms of section 21 of the Act
A firearm in respect of which an authorisation in terms of section 21 of the Act has been issued may only be used—28. Identification marks on firearms
29. The central firearms database
Chapter 5
Licences issued to particular categories of persons
Part 1 – General provisions
30. Additional particulars to be provided with an application for a dealer, manufacturer and gunsmith's licence
A person who applies for a dealer, manufacturer or gunsmith's licence contemplated In Chapter 7 the Act must, in addition to the relevant information required by regulation 13, submit—Part 2 – Dealer
31. Conditions in respect of a dealer's licence
The Registrar may impose the following conditions in respect of a dealer's licence—32. Information on a dealer's licence
A dealer's licence must, in addition to the requirements of sections 7(2) and 34 of the Act, contain the—33. Application for temporary authorisation to trade in firearms and ammunition on premises other than those specified in dealer's licence
34. Conditions applicable to temporary authorisations to trade in firearms and ammunition on premises other than those specified in dealer's licence
The Registrar may impose the following conditions in respect of a temporary authorisation issued under section 36 of the Act:35. Record of prescribed information regarding temporary authorisations in respect of dealers
The Office of the Central Firearms Register must keep a record of the following information regarding temporary authorisations issued under section 36 of the Act:36. Application by a dealer for the change of premises
37. Registers in respect of a dealer
38. Manner in which a workstation must be established, maintained and linked to the central dealers' database
39. Weekly returns
40. Establishment of centralised dealer's database
Part 3 – Manufacturers
41. Conditions in respect of a manufacturer's licence
The Registrar may impose the following conditions in respect of a manufacturer's licence—42. Information on manufacturer's licence
A manufacturer's licence must, in addition to the requirements of section 48 of the Act, contain the—43. Applications in respect of temporary authorisation to display firearms and ammunition on premises other than those specified in manufacturer's licence
44. Conditions applicable to temporary authorisation to display firearms and ammunition on premises other than those specified in manufacturer's licence
The Registrar may impose the following conditions in respect of a temporary authorisation issued under section 50 of the Act:45. Record of prescribed information regarding temporary authorisations in respect of a manufacturer's licence
The Office of the Central Firearms Register must keep a record of the following information regarding temporary authorisations issued under section 50 of the Act:46. Application by a manufacturer for the change of premises
47. Registers in respect of a manufacturer
48. Manner in which a workstation must be established, maintained and linked to the central manufacturers' database
49. Establishment of a centralised manufacturers' database
Part 4 – Gunsmiths
50. Other work that may be performed by gunsmith
The holder of a gunsmith's licence may, repair, customise, custom build, adapt, modify, assemble, deactivate or store a firearm.51. Conditions in respect of the issue of gunsmith's licence
The Registrar may impose the following conditions in respect of a gunsmith's licence:52. Information on gunsmith's licence
A gunsmith's licence must, in addition to the requirements of section 62 of the Act, contain the—53. Applications for temporary authorisation to conduct business as gunsmith on premises other than those specified in gunsmith's licence
54. Conditions applicable to temporary authorisations to conduct business as gunsmith on premises other than those specified in gunsmith's licence
The Registrar may impose the following conditions in respect of an application for a temporary authorisation issued under section 64 of the Act:55. Record of prescribed information regarding temporary authorisations in respect of gunsmiths
The Office of the Central Firearms Register must keep a record of the following information regarding temporary authorisations issued under section 64 of the Act:56. Application for change of premises
57. Registers in respect of gunsmith
58. Manner in which workstation must be established, maintained and linked to central gunsmiths' database
59. Weekly returns
60. Establishment of centralised gunsmiths' database
Chapter 6
Import, export and carriage in-transit of firearms and ammunition
61. Application regarding in-transit permit
62. Conditions in respect of application for import or export permit
In addition to the provisions of regulation 13 the following conditions apply in respect of an application for an import or export permit, as the case may be—63. Conditions in respect of in-transit permits
The Registrar may impose the following conditions in respect of a person who applies to carry a firearm or ammunition in transit through the Republic of South Africa:64. Information in respect of import, export and in-transit permits
An import, export and in-transit permit must contain the information as indicated on the applicable form prescribed in Annexure "A".65. Establishment of central importers' and exporters' database
66. Extension, renewal and replacement of import, export or in-transit permit
An application for an extension, renewal and replacement of an import, export and in-transit permit must be submitted in writing to The Head: Central Firearms Register at least seven days before the expiry date lapses, otherwise a new application will be required.Chapter 7
Storage, transport and carrying of firearms and ammunition
Part 1 – Storage
67. Storage of firearms and ammunition
Part 2 – Firearm transporter's permit
68. Packaging of firearms and ammunition during transportation
69. Application in respect of a firearm transporter's permit
70. Conditions in respect of firearm transporter's permit
The Registrar may impose the following conditions on the holder of a firearm transporter's permit:71. Duplicate transporter's permit
72. Cancellation of transporter's permit
In the event of a transporter requiring the cancellation of a transport permit, the transporter must provide the Registrar with the original transport permit together with a sworn statement stating the reasons for cancellation.73. Record of prescribed information in respect of firearm transporter's permits
The Office of the Firearms Register must keep a record of the following information in respect of firearm transporter's permits issued under section 86 of the Act—Chapter 8
Control of ammunition and firearm parts
74. Application for authorisation to possess more than 2400 primers and to possess more than 200 cartridges
The holder of a licence to possess a firearm, other than a dedicated hunter or dedicated sports person, who wishes to possess an excess of 2400 primers or, for a firearm of which he or she holds a licence in excess of 200 cartridges, must apply to the Registrar for the authorisation contemplated in section 91(2)(a) and 93(2)(a) of the Act on the applicable form prescribed in Annexure "A" which must be handed to the relevant Designated Firearms Official.75. Register of firearm parts
Chapter 9
Official Institutions
76. Conditions in respect of acquisition, use, safe custody and disposal of firearms by accredited Official Institution
77. Information that the permit issued under section 98 of the Act must contain
78. Carrying of handgun by employee of Official Institution in holster
A holster contemplated in section 98(5)(a) of the Act must conform to the following requirements when the employee of the Official Institution is on duty and performs official duties:79. Prescribed training and test in respect of employee of Official Institution
80. Provision of firearm training by Official Institutions
81. Registers to be kept by Official Institution
82. Particulars that register must contain
83. Identification marks in respect of firearms under control of Official Institution
The Registrar may allocate a unique identification mark to an Official Institution which must be stamped, engraved, stencilled or etched on the metal part of the firearm and which must not form part of the manufacturer's serial number or additional identification mark contemplated in section 23 of the Act.84. Establishment of central Official Institution firearms database
85. Establishment and maintenance of Official Institution's workstation
Chapter 10
Safe custody of firearms, muzzle loading firearms and ammunition
[Chapter heading substituted by section 1(d) of Proclamation R9 of 2012]86. Safes and safe custody
Chapter 11
Organisational Structures
Part 1 – The Central Firearms Register
87. Information that the central database must contain
The central database must, as contemplated by section 125(2)(a) of the Act contain the information that was submitted to the Registrar in a prescribed form, as well as, the information in respect of—88. Other documentation and information that central database must contain
The Central database must, in addition to information required by regulation 87 contain information concerning—Part 2 – Administrative justice and appeals
89. Administrative justice
Any police official taking an administrative decision in terms of the Act which may detrimentally affect the rights of a person, must—90. Appeal board
91. Appeal procedure
Chapter 12
General provisions
92. Application for compensation
93. Disposal of firearms or ammunition surrendered in compliance with amnesty
94. Surrendering of firearms and ammunition
95. Production and discharge of firearms or ammunition for identification purposes
96. Payment of fees
97. Payment of administrative fines
98. Surrendering and disposal of competency certificate, licence, permit or authorisation
99. Deferment of licences, permits or authorisations in case of theft or loss of firearm
100. Change of address
101. Equipment and material designed for loading of ammunition
102. Disposal of firearms where business ceases to carry on business
103. Disposal of firearms in insolvent or deceased estate
104. Destruction of firearms
105. Deactivation of firearms
106. Proofing of firearms
The Registrar may refuse to grant a licence for the manufacturing of a firearm unless the manufacturer, at the request of the Registrar, is able to provide proof of compliance of proofing in terms of the Standards Act, 1993 (Act No. 29 of 1993), or in accordance with an internationally accepted standard of proofing.107. Change of circumstances
108. Correction of information
109. Firearm Free Zones
110. Offences and penalties
111. Receipts
A receipt issued in terms of this Act must bear the following particulars—112. Official address
The official addresses for communication in accordance with the provisions of these regulations, shall be the following:113. Repeal of regulations
114. Title and commencement
These Regulations shall be called the Firearms Control Regulations, 2004, and shall, come into operation on the 1st of July 2004.History of this document
05 July 2021 amendment not yet applied
Amended by
Firearms Control Regulations: Amendment
09 March 2020 this version
Amended by
Firearms Control Regulations: Amendment
01 March 2012
10 January 2011
16 September 2005
01 July 2004
Commenced
26 March 2004
Published in Government Gazette 26156
Read this version
Cited documents 9
Act 9
1. | Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 | 12697 citations |
2. | Customs and Excise Act, 1964 | 1096 citations |
3. | National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 | 743 citations |
4. | Skills Development Act, 1998 | 612 citations |
5. | Firearms Control Act, 2000 | 495 citations |
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9. | Ship Registration Act, 1998 | 81 citations |