SAPS Firearm Competency & Licence Application Document Downloads

Yes you can, and it’s generally much easier than you think. The basic requirements to licence and own a firearm in South Africa are: be over the age of 21 (or hold a dedicated hunting or sports shooting status), and have a clean criminal record.

Where people generally stumble is the admin required in order to legally own and licence a firearm in South Africa. This is why LicenceMe offer specialised firearm licensing services in South Africa. These services include assistance in completing the forms required to get your SAPS Firearm Competency Certificate as well as getting your SAPS Firearm Licence or Firearm Licence renewal.

To licence a gun in South Africa (whether it’s a handgun, pistol, shotgun, rifle / carbine or other) you need to follow three basic steps. These are: PROFICIENCY, COMPETENCY, LICENSING. We offer professional services to assist with COMPETENCY and LICENSING which includes collecting all of your personal information so that we can complete the required SAPS forms and collecting all the the required supporting documents so that we can complete and prepare a professional motivation. These are services which you can purchase right here through our website. To explain the three step process, see below:

STEP1: Proficiency

Before you can licence a firearm in South Africa you need to start with your PROFICIENCY. This takes the form of both a written and practical test to ensure that you can safely handle and use a firearm, and that you know the law surrounding the use of a firearm. We have a map HERE that will give you a list of training centres in your area where you can purchase the required training manuals and complete your proficiency training and exam. Once you have completed and passed your proficiency exam the training centre will upload your results onto the PFTC (Professional Firearm Training Council) website and within approximately one to two weeks they will issue you with your training certificates confirming your competency for the various modules.

STEP 2: Competency

Once you have your proficiency certificate and statement of results, the next step is obtaining your SAPS Competency certificate. This is a formal application that you submit to SAPS with the completed forms and required supporting documents in order to apply for your SAPS Competency Certificate. This is one of the services which we offer at LicenceMe - if you purchase our SAPS Competency service, we will send you a link to complete your personal information (so that we can fill in all of the required SAPS paperwork on your behalf) as well as a link to upload all of the required supporting documents (so that we can verify all of the supporting documents are complete and correct). Once you have completed the two links with your personal information and supporting documents, our team will complete all of the required paperwork for your SAPS Competency application, and prepare a complete pack for you with checklist, SAPS forms, supporting documents etc. All you will need to do is print out the pack that we send you, verify all of the information is correct, get two ID / passport photographs taken (and attach to the specified page in your application) and head through to your nearest SAPS branch to visit the DFO (Designated Firearm Officer) and hand in your application. While you are with the DFO you will be required to sign the forms that we have completed for you, they will take fingerprints and process your application.

**One thing we always suggest to our clients is to actively look for a firearm while your SAPS Competency Application is in process. It can take anywhere between 90 and 120 WORKING DAYS for your application to be processed by SAPS, and this is a perfect time to find the firearm which you intent to purchase and licence.

STEP 3: Licensing

As soon as you receive your Competency Certificate from SAPS, you can proceed with obtaining a firearm licence - licensing the firearm which you have purchased. Because the firearm licence is linked to the firearm via the serial number, you are required to purchase a firearm BEFORE you are able to apply for the firearm licence. Again, this is one of the services which LicenceMe offer - professional SAPS Firearm Licence Applications and Motivations. Much like applying for your SAPS Competency, we follow a similar process - we send you two links, one to collect personal information and the second for you to upload the required supporting documents. For this step there will be additional supporting documents such as your SAPS Competency Certificate as well as details of the firearm that you have purchased. This is so that in addition to completing all of the required SAPS Licence Application forms and required supporting documents, we can also provide a professional firearm motivation which is to be submitted to SAPS to motivate why you require a firearm. This motivation confirms your employment and place of work, your residential address, the reason to possess the firearm, proof of proficiency and competency, the ability to safely store the firearm as well as details of the specific firearm and ammunition. Once you have completed the two links with your personal information and supporting documents, our team will complete all of the required paperwork for your SAPS Licence application, and prepare a complete pack for you with checklist, SAPS forms, supporting documents and motivation. All you will need to do is print out the pack that we send you, verify all of the information is correct, get two ID / passport photographs taken (and attach to the specified page in your application) and head back to your nearest SAPS branch to visit the DFO (Designated Firearm Officer) and hand in your application. While you are with the DFO you will be required to sign the forms that we have completed for you, they will take fingerprints and process your application.

**If you have purchased your firearm through a dealer who has an indoor shooting range, this is a great opportunity to use and practice with your firearm while you’re waiting on your firearm licence to be approved. Much like your SAPS Competency, your SAPS Licence can take anywhere between 90 and 120 WORKING DAYS to be processed, meaning you can use the time constructively to get time on the range.

Proficiency is the first step required in obtaining a firearm licence, it’s carried out by PFTC (Professional Firearm Training Council) authorised training centres across South Africa and is formal accreditations to prove your proficiency with the handle and use of a firearm as well as the legal implications and requirements in owning, obtaining and using a firearm in South Africa. Competency is the second step required in obtaining a firearm licence in South Africa, once you have your proficiency, you may apply to SAPS for your Competency Certificate which is required BEFORE you are able to licence a firearm in South Africa.

This is always a tricky question to answer. As there are three steps: PROFICIENCY, COMPETENCY and LICENCING, each step has a timeline. Generally you are able to obtain your competency within several weeks as you need a week to study the material and write the written and practical exams and around two weeks thereafter for your statement of results and proficiency certificate to be issued. For your SAPS Competency, the legal time-limit in which SAPS have to process the application is 120 WORKING DAYS, the same goes for your SAPS Firearm Licence - 120 WORKING DAYS.

There is no way to legally expedite the application process through SAPS, so don’t get caught out by anyone or any company who promises they can speed up the services. All you can do is ensure that your paperwork is correct and complete and that your supporting documents are all in place and your motivation meeds the requirements mandated by SAPS in order to obtain the specified licence for which you’re applying. This is something that we pride ourselves in doing, and through the applications that we have done for clients in the past, we have learned, refined and tweaked our process along the way in order to ensure that you don’t have any hiccups in your application.

In order to own a firearm in South Africa you need to be over the age of 18 years (with your parents consent) or over the age of 21 (no parent’s consent required). If you are looking to obtain a “dedicated status” licence for professional hunting or sports shooting, you are able to licence a firearm under the age of 21, but this obviously requires additional supporting documents and hunting / sports association membership confirming your dedicated status.

If you are under the age of 21 you cannot legally own a firearm for self defence / self protection in South Africa, you need to have what is called “Dedicated Status”. This is reserved for professional hunters or sports shooters. If you are looking to obtain a “dedicated status” licence for professional hunting or sports shooting, you are able to licence a firearm under the age of 21, but this obviously requires additional supporting documents and hunting / sports association membership confirming your dedicated status.

Dedicated sport and hunting under Section 16 means you have to belong to a shooting organisation that is registered with SAPS. Under this status you may poses more than 4 firearms. You need to prove to the registrar at CFR (Central Firearm Registry) your dedicated status when applying for your gun licence as well as support your application with shooting results (in the case of sports shooting) or hunting documentation (in the case of professional hunting). Occasional sport shooting and hunting under Section 15 means you may only poses 4 firearms, and you only have to prove to the registrar at CFR (Central Firearm Registry) supporting your activity like photographs of your hunt or sports shooting results. You do not have to belong to a shooting club or a shooting organisation.

For Section-13 which is the standard category for self defence / self protection gun licences in South Africa, you may only possess one firearm - revolver, pistol or shotgun.

Self defence licences (section 13) need to be renewed every 5 years. Occasional sport shooting or hunting (section 15) and dedicated sport shooting or hunting (section 16) need to be renewed every 10 years. Your firearm competency is valid as long as your firearm licence remains valid and does not expire. So if your licence has expired then unfortunately, it is usually a prerequisite from SAPS that you need to renew your SAPS Competency at the same time. Firearm licences and competency renewals must be renewed at least 90 days before the date of expiry. This is done by preparing a similar pack of supporting documents to those used for your initial licence application, and submitting the supporting documents along with the correct forms: SAPS 518(a) form along with annexure A. If your firearm competency also needs to be renewed, you will need to complete the SAPS 517(g) form too.

Note: Once your licence expires, you find yourself in a tricky situation where you are unable to renew your licence or transfer / sell or safely store it. The only way to move forward here as the law currently stands is to wait for another amnesty period or to hand it in to SAPS.

We receive requests weekly from clients who’s licences are expiring in a few days, or have just expired. Unfortunately at this point it's too late to use our services as you are technically in contravention of the law.in a few days. At this point, it is often too late, as they are technically in contravention of the law. Best practice for firearm owners who have not used LicenceMe services before is to set a reminder 4 months before your licence expiry date so that you have a month to prepare your renewal application and get to SAPS to submit it before the 90 day period begins. This ensures that you stay compliant and don’t have to deal with the stress of getting the necessary documents together on short notice.

This depends on the type of licence that you have for the designated firearm. Remember your firearm licence applies specifically to the firearm to which it belongs. Self defence licences (section 13) need to be renewed every 5 years. Occasional sport shooting or hunting (section 15) and dedicated sport shooting or hunting (section 16) need to be renewed every 10 years. BUT, you need to renew your licence 90 days BEFORE the expiry date, so in essence you need to aim to start the renewal process 120 days BEFORE the expiry date, so set a reminder on your phone or in your calendar! And don't forget, your firearm competency is valid as long as your firearm licence remains valid, so don't let your licence expire! 

It's generally understood that your firearm competency is valid for as long as the actual firearm licence is valid for, so this depends on the type of licence that you have for the designated firearm. Self defence licences (section 13) need to be renewed every 5 years. Occasional sport shooting or hunting (section 15) and dedicated sport shooting or hunting (section 16) need to be renewed every 10 years. BUT, you need to renew your licence 90 days BEFORE the expiry date, so in essence you need to aim to start the renewal process 120 days BEFORE the expiry date, so set a reminder on your phone or in your calendar! And don't forget, your firearm competency is valid as long as your firearm licence remains valid, so don't let your licence expire! 

YES! If you have a licensed firearm or firearms, you need to notify SAPS within 90 days of moving or changing address. Remember that your gun licence is linked to your residential address as per the proof of address supplied to SAPS when submitting your firearm licence application. Luckily this is a pretty simple process, you just need to fill out the required SAPS 521(b) forms which you can download here: SAPS 521(b) Notification of Change of Address

This depends on the category of firearm licence that you are purchasing ammunition for, as the ammunition that you purchase is linked to the licence which you possess. (So if you have a 9mm gun licence you can only purchase 9mm ammunition.) In South Africa, firearm owners with a self-defence Section 13 licence or a license for occasional sport or hunting (Section 15) can typically purchase a maximum of 200 rounds of ammunition per firearm. However, individuals with Section-16 licences with "dedicated status" (e.g., dedicated sport shooter or hunter) can possess significantly more ammunition, with no strict limit specified.

The law here is the same as how much ammunition you can purchase at any given time. The standard limit for ammunition possession for self-defence and occasional sports shooters and hunters under Section-13 or Section-15 is 200 rounds per firearm licence. For dedicated sport shooters and hunters under Section-16 however may possess larger quantities, sometimes even unlimited, depending on their specific license and circumstances.

Yes, it is possible to fly with a firearm in South Africa, but it's subject to strict regulations and procedures. Firearms must be transported as checked baggage, separate from regular luggage, and must be unloaded and secured in an appropriate lockable case. Ammunition must also be packed separately in a secure case and cannot be loose in checked luggage.

Here are a breakdown of some tips and processes:

• Check airline requirements: Before you fly, check with your airline what their specific process is in regards to checking in your firearm.
• Declare at Check-in: Firearms must be declared during check-in at the designated firearm desk. 
• Separate Handling: Firearms and ammunition must be transported in the cargo hold of the aircraft, separate from passenger luggage. 
• Secure Packing: Firearms and ammunition must be packed in separate, locked, hard-shell cases. 
• Ammunition Restrictions: Ammunition must be of the same caliber as the firearm and cannot exceed a specified weight limit (e.g., 5kg per person on Air France). 
• Airline Specifics: Some airlines have specific requirements regarding the type of fare needed for firearm transport or restrictions on certain airports.
• Valid Documentation: You must possess valid licenses and permits for the firearm and ammunition. 
• Ownership: You must be the legal owner of the firearm and ammunition. 
• Unloaded and Safe: Firearms must be unloaded and made safe before being checked in. 
• No Cabin Transport: Firearms are strictly prohibited from being carried in the cabin or flight deck. 
• Consult Airline: Contact the specific airline you are flying with for their detailed firearm transport policy. 
• Allow Extra Time: Arrive at the airport well in advance (e.g., two hours prior to departure) to allow for the firearm and ammunition to be processed. 
• Consider a Firearms Handler: If you are unsure about the procedures, consider using a firearms handler to assist you. 

By adhering to these guidelines and regulations, you can ensure a smooth and legal journey with your firearm in South Africa.

To get dedicated status which is required to apply for a Section-16 gun licence in South Africa, you must be a member of an accredited association, like SA Hunters, Natshoot, or FOSA, and meet their specific requirements. These apply to both theoretical and practical proficiency, and generally involve writing a test and submitting support of your practical proficiency.In addition to this, you need to demonstrate your active involvement in either sports shoot or hunting in order to maintain your status. Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. Choose an Accredited Association:

• Select a hunting or sport shooting association that is accredited by the South African Police Service (SAPS). Some popular options include  SA Hunters, Natshoot, or FOSA. 

2. Fulfil Membership Requirements:

• Apply for membership with your chosen association and pay the required membership fees.
• Ensure your membership is in good standing and that you meet any specific criteria set by the association for membership duration or other factors. 

3. Complete the Dedicated Status Course:

• Most associations offer a dedicated status course that covers the necessary theoretical and practical aspects of hunting or sport shooting.
• The theoretical part often includes topics like firearm safety, ballistics, hunting ethics, animal identification, and relevant legislation.
• The practical component usually involves demonstrating proficiency in shooting at a designated range. 

4. Pass the Assessments:

• Pass both the theoretical and practical assessments or exams as required by the association.
• These assessments are designed to evaluate your knowledge and skills related to your chosen activity. 

5. Application and Certification:

• Once you have successfully completed the course and assessments, you can apply for dedicated status through the association. 
• The association will then submit your application to the SAPS for final approval and issuance of the dedicated status certificate. 

6. Maintaining Your Dedicated Status:

• Dedicated status is not permanent and requires ongoing participation in the relevant activities and adherence to the association's rules. 
• You may need to participate in regular shoots or hunts, submit reports, and maintain your membership with the association. 
• Failure to maintain the requirements could lead to the revocation of your dedicated status. 

STEP 1:

1. Find a firearm training provider that is listed with PFTC (Professional fire-arm Training Council) and with SAPS (South African Police Service) To find a Firearm training provider near you, you can use the map on our website which will give all PFTC registered training providers in your area. 
2. After you find a firearm training provider to get your proficiency, you have to decide what firearm proficiency training you require. At a minimum you require the unit standard for the type of firearm that you wish to licence as well as the “Knowledge of the firearms control act 60 of 2000”. Proficiency courses are available in the following unit standards.: Handle and use handgun 119649, Handle and use a Self-loading Rifle 119650, Handle and use a Manually operated Rifle 119651, Handle and use a Shotgun 119652, Knowledge of the firearms control act 60 of 2000 (117705)
3. Next you will need to purchase the required study material for the unit standards you have selected, you will do their through the firearm training provider you have selected. You can take the study material home with you to prepare for the exam, and will be able to keep it after the course.
4. At home you need to complete the Formative Examination which is an open book test that is included in the study material.
5. After you have completed your Formative Examination you need to attend a class at your training facility where you will write the Summative Examination. (You may not write this test with an open book)
6. After you have completed your Summative Examination you will then do your practical test which is to prove proficiency with the selected weapon platform.
7. Once completed you will have done the three requirements to obtain firearm proficiency: Formative Examination, Summative Examination and the practical shoot. You need to pass all three categories to receive a certificate and statement of results from your training provider. These documents are issued by the PFTC to the training provider within 1 - 2 weeks following your exam, and both are required in order to apply for your SAPS Competency Certificate in Step 2.

STEP 2:

1. Find out who your nearest SAPS station is in order to submit your SAPS Competency application. To find a SAPS near you, you can use the map on our website which will give all SAPS stations in your area.
2. After you find out who your designated SAPS station is, you will need to prepare all of the required forms and supporting documents for your SAPS Competency application so that you may apply for SAPS Competency at your local DFO. These documents are:

• Certified copy of statements of results as obtained from the PFTC training provider in STEP 1
• Certified copy of proficiency training as obtained from the PFTC training provider in STEP 1
• Character witnesses (1 Family member and 2 friends for an interview at your local DFO)
• Proof of address
• SAPS 517 forms completed in Black ink
• 2 x ID Photos
• Cash for your SAPS Competency Application (you can see the latest rates on the SAPS website HERE)

Note: it usually takes 90 - 120 working days before you will receive your SAPS Competency Certificate. You can only apply for your SAPS Firearm Licence once you have received the SAPS Competency Certificate.

STEP 3:

1. Purchase your desired firearm from a registered firearm dealer. To find a Firearm Dealer near you, you can use the map on our website which will give all Firearm Dealers in your area.
2. After you have purchased your firearm, you will need to prepare all of the required forms, supporting documents and motivation for your SAPS Firearm application so that you may apply for a SAPS Firearm Licence at your local DFO. These documents are:

• SAPS Competency Certificate as obtained from SAPS in STEP 2
• Certified copy of statement of results as obtained from the PFTC training provider in STEP 1
• Certified copy of proficiency training  as obtained from the PFTC training provider in STEP 1
• SAPS 271 forms completed in Black ink.
• SAPS 350(a) forms completed in Black ink (The gun shop will provide you with this document which details the gun make, model, serial number etc).
• Completed and signed SAPS Safe Statement confirming the type of safe which you have installed a home, and the method by which it is secured to the floor / wall.
• Photographs of the outside of your safe proving that it is suitable to store your firearm.
• Photographs of the inside of your safe proving that it is suitable to store your firearm and that it is secured to the floor / wall in line with the SABS requirements mandated by SAPS and confirmed in your signed safe statement document.
• Two Certified copies of your identity document.
• Firearm motivation letter for self-defence proving that you are gainfully employed, confirming your place of residence, detailing both your proficiency and competency, proving that you can provide safe storage for the firearm, motivating the need for the firearm, and detailing the firearm and it’s chambered ammunition.
• Newspaper articles of crime in your area.
• Crime statistics for your area.
• Two Passport photos.
• Cash for your SAPS Licence Application (you can see the latest rates on the SAPS website HERE)

Note: it usually takes 90 - 120 working days before you will receive your SAPS Firearm Licence. Once you have received your SAPS Firearm Licence you will be able to collect the firearm from the dealer who you purchased it from. They will transfer it on their system from safe storage in their safe to your possession.