Getting a firearm license can seem like a daunting task. That’s because it is! But don’t stress, I (and millions of others) have done it multiple times. In this article, I’ll walk you through the process, step by step, and provide some valuable resources that will make your application and smooth as possible. So, how do you get a firearm license in South Africa?
To obtain a firearm license in South Africa, you first need to undergo firearm training at an accredited training provider. You will then need to apply for a competency certificate at your local police station. Once you have received your competency certificate, you can apply for a license.
During the firearm proficiency training, you will need to demonstrate knowledge of the Firearms Control Act of South Africa and safe handling of the firearm type you wish to apply.
After completing the training, you will get a certificate that you submit to your local police station, with a competency certificate application form. You will need to apply for the correct certificate for your firearm type and the purpose of using a firearm.
Once your competency certificate has been approved and issued, you’re able to apply for a license to possess a firearm. Each firearm requires its own license.
Proficiency Training
To apply for the required training course, you must approach a SAPS accredited firearm training provider. Most gun shops offer these courses, but be sure to double-check if they are certified.
The cost of the firearm proficiency training will be around R1,000. The training consists of the legal aspect and the firearm handling aspect.
Firearms proficiency training consists of three parts:
- The first part of the course covers the legal aspects of firearm ownership, including knowledge of the Firearms Control Act of South Africa.
- The second part of the course consists of weapons handling and safety.
- The third part of the course is practical training on weapons handling and safety.
1. LEGAL
This part of the course consists of a self-study book. This book is called “Knowledge of the Firearm Act” and covers various aspects of the legalities of firearm ownership. You will learn when you’re allowed to use a firearm in self-defense, how you should store it, and when to renew your license, etc.
The legal part of the course ends with an open book written test conducted at the training provider’s premises.
2. HANDLING AND SAFETY – THEORY
In this part of the course, you will learn more about firearms themselves. You will cover how firearms actually work, how to maintain them, and handle them safely and efficiently. You will also learn basic self-defense tactics.
The course also ends with an open book written test conducted at the training provider’s premises.
3. HANDLING AND SAFETY – PRACTICAL
Once you have completed both of the above tests, you are ready to progress to the fun part of the course. Here, you will learn to do various tasks on an actual firearm. You’ll learn how to load the firearm, unload it, and disassemble it. You’ll also learn to shoot accurately and safely.
Once the instructor is confident that you are ready, you’ll need to demonstrate all of the above, including loading, unloading, disassembling. Finally, you will be required to do a shooting test.
Firearm Competency Certificate
In South Africa, a firearm competency certificate is in a way similar to a driver’s license. The competency certificate essentially shows that you are competent with a firearm, have undergone practical and theoretical training, and have undergone a background check by the police.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIREARMS COMPETENCY CERTIFICATES?
There are different categories of competency certificates. If you want a handgun, you’ll need to apply for a competency certificate for a handgun specifically. If you want a shotgun, then you’ll need a competency for a shotgun.
Competency certificates are categorized by firearm type and by the purpose (the intended use) or the use of the firearm. For example, you can get a competency certificate for a handgun for self-defense purposes and/or a competency certificate for a handgun for business purposes. These are two utterly different competency certificates. You need to undergo the correct training depending on which one you are applying for.
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR A FIREARM COMPETENCY CERTIFICATE?
You will need to meet the minimum criteria when applying for a competency certificate. Firstly, you need to be 21 years or older (except in the cases of dedicated sport shooting, where you need to be 16 or older with parental consent). You need to be a South African citizen or a permanent resident.
You need to declare any criminal offenses in South Africa or outside of South Africa. Some offenses will deem you unfit to use a firearm, resulting in the refusal of your application. The police will also ask on the form if you have ever lost a firearm if a firearm has ever been stolen from you, and if so, if a case of negligence was opened against you as a result.
RISK ASSESSMENT
You will be asked if you have attempted or threatened suicide in the past five years. If you have been diagnosed or treated for depression, or treated for substance abuse, or severe emotional problems in the past five years.
You’ll be asked if you have experienced a divorce or separation from an intimate partner with whom you have lived where there were written allegations of violence in the past five years. If in the past two years you were subjected to a forced job loss.
While it may be tempting to lie in the above, your character references will be asked the same questions about you, so it’s better, to be honest.
WHAT DOCUMENTS WILL YOU NEED FOR A FIREARMS COMPETENCY CERTIFICATE?
- A copy of your ID or passport (Certified).
- A certified copy of your permanent residence permit if you are not a South African citizen.
- Certified copy of your firearm proficiency training certificate issued by an accredited training provider.
- Certified copy of previous competency certificate, if any.
- Two passport-size color photographs (with a neutral background) that are not older than three months
- Certified proof of residence.
- Any other supporting documents, such as character references, etc.
FINGERPRINTS AND PAYMENT
Finally, after the application is received by the DFO (Designated Firearms Officer) at your local police station, your fingerprints will be taken, and you’ll be asked to pay the application fee of R70. Most police stations will only accept cash, so be sure to have that with you.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A FIREARMS COMPETENCY CERTIFICATE TO BE APPROVED?
According to the SAPS website, your application will be approved or refused within 90 business days, but in reality, most applicants wait up to six months for a decision.
Licensing the firearm
Once you have received your competency certificate, it is time to license your firearm. If you have not done so already, approach a gun shop and purchase a gun. The gun shop will issue a licensing form known as the SAPS 271. This is your firearm application form that you need to complete and submit to your DFO at the police station nearest to your home.
CRITERIA, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, AND PROCESS
The criteria for a firearm license are similar to that of a competency certificate. You need to be 21 years or older (except in the cases of dedicated sport shooting, where you need to be 16 or older with parental consent). You need to be a South African citizen or a permanent resident.
You will need to submit the following documents with your application:
- Certified copy of your official identification document.
- Your original competency certificate.
- If the firearm was inherited, you’ll need a letter of appointment of the executor.
- Two passport-size color photographs (with a neutral background) that are not older than three months
After the DFO has checked your application and all the attached documents, your fingerprints will be taken. You will need to pay the application fee of R140.
THE MOTIVATION LETTER
In addition to the above documents, you will need to include a firearm motivation letter. This letter is crucial and is the deciding factor whether your application will be approved or not. In this letter, you need to convince the registrar that there is a legitimate need for a firearm.
Read my previous article, How to Write a Successful Firearm License Motivation, for important advice on this.
FIREARM STORAGE REQUIREMENT
Your DFO will require you to complete a form describing your firearm safe along with your firearm application. Most DFO’s will come to your home to do a safety inspection to ensure you have the adequate safe to lock the firearm away when not in use.
To make sure your safe complies, be sure to read my previous article: What are the SAPS Gun Safe Requirements?
Summary
Getting a firearm license in South Africa is quite a long process. It can take up to a year from the day you make your first application to when you walk out of the gunshop with your gun.
Before you can do anything, you’ll need to complete firearms proficiency training at an accredited training provider. This training consists of three parts. One, you will learn the legal aspects of being a firearm owner. Two, you will learn firearm safety and handling theory. Three, you will learn to use an actual gun. Will need to pass a written test for the theory parts of the course and a firearm handling and shooting test.
Once you have been issued your firearms proficiency training certificate, you can apply for a firearms competency certificate. Think of this as a driver’s license. It is merely to show that you are fit and competent to use a firearm. You are not yet able to own one, though.
Once your competency certificate is approved, you can purchase a gun and submit an actual application for a license for that specific firearm. Each firearm requires its very own license.
When going through this process, be thorough and patient. It can be a long wait, but it is well worth it!
What are your thoughts? Have you recently completed a firearm license application? How did you find the process? Do you have any tips to share with others? Please share by leaving a comment below.
Until next time, take care!