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FCA Basics |
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Some basic notes on the new Act & Licence Renewals |
Contents: (date added shown in brackets)
- SAGA Renewal Procedures (6 April 2005)
- SAGA Firearms Control Act Notes
- Hunting Forum Guidelines for hunting licence applications (7 October 2005)
See also Foreign
Hunting for information
on importing firearms for hunting
Notes on the renewal procedures have been put together and are available to current SAGA members. Please contact the office with your membership number to request a copy on telephone (031) 562-9951 or fax (031) 562-0530 or email to saga@saga.org.za
These very brief notes are based on the Firearms Control Act (Act No. 60 of 2000) and the Regulations, which came into effect on 1 July 2004.
See also Firearms Control Act Comments
In general:
The number of firearms you can own and the amount of ammunition you
can possess are now limited. Licences are now divided into different categories based on the
reason for needing the firearm.
Licences are issued for limited periods, after which they must be renewed.
There are a number of new provisions and requirements for firearm owners, some
of which will incur heavy penalties if not adhered to.
LICENCE CATEGORIES
1. Self-defence:
One handgun
(not fully automatic) or one manually operated shotgun (not fully or
semi-automatic)
Licence will be valid for five years.
Privately owned firearms licensed for self-defence may not be used by security
officers for business purposes.
There is provision for more than one person in the same household to have a
licence for the same firearm. This is called an Additional Licence and must be
applied for in the same way as other licences.
There is provision for one ‘restricted ‘ firearm for self-defence e.g. a semi-automatic
shotgun or rifle. But only if you can prove that a handgun is not adequate. This
licence will be valid for two years and will be difficult to obtain.
2. Occasional Sporting or Hunting Use:
Maximum of
four firearms of which only one can be a handgun (not fully automatic), the
others can be manually operated shotguns or rifles, not fully or semi-automatic.
If you already own a firearm licensed for self-defence (as per above) then that
counts as one of these four.
Of the three remaining licences, one may be a handgun (not fully automatic).
Licence will be valid for ten years.
3. Dedicated Collectors, Sportsmen and Hunters
Theoretically
they will be exempt from the numerical limits, but will have to prove a need for
each firearm.
To apply for a licence in this category you have to belong to a relevant
association that has been accredited. The associations will have to submit
annual reports on member participation, on anyone applying to be a member and on
membership status to the Central Firearms Register.
Bona fide status will no longer apply as the firearm licence itself is
now category based.
SUMMARY:
You may have a
handgun or shotgun (not semi-auto) for self-defence and three additional
firearms one of which may be a handgun. HOWEVER you still have to 'prove' a need
for each licence. It does not simply mean you will be granted licences. An
"occasinal" person may therefore obtain licences for:
1 handgun + 3 long guns OR
2 handguns + 2 long guns OR
4 long guns
AMMUNITION
Limited to 200 rounds per licence at any one time.
Limited to 2400 primers for reloading.
(Dedicated Sportspersons and Hunters are exempted from this limit and there is
provision for the ‘normal’ person to apply for exemption from this limit.)
PARTS REQUIRING LICENCES
These include
- frames, barrels and receivers.
Spare actions will be treated as complete firearms and will count towards the
numerical limits for licences.
You may not possess a firearm part unless you hold a licence for a firearm that
can bear the part.
LICENCE RENEWALS
All existing
licence holders will have to re-apply for new licences and comply with the new
numerical limits.
Those who exceed the numerical limits will be forced to dispose of these
firearms or surrender them to the State without compensation.
Relicencing
will be phased in over a period of five years based on month of birth.
January
to March in 2005
April to June in 2006
July to September in 2007
October to December in 2008
COMPETENCY CERTIFICATES
Future
licences (including renewals) will only be issued to people in possession of a valid competency
certificate. You apply for a Competency Certificate at your local police station
but it is issued by the Central Firearms Register.
To get a competency certificate you must undergo training in the use of
firearms, not be dependant on alcohol or narcotics, be sane and stable, not
inclined to violence and not have been convicted of a criminal offence/s
involving violence or a firearm, and successfully complete a test on knowledge
of the FCA. Training is divided into different categories –
handguns, rifles, shotguns.
Competency certificates lapse after five years.
PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATES
When you make
a licence application you will have to include a proficiency certificate for the
specific type of firearm (handgun, rifle, shotgun).
The certificate will be obtained once you have done practical and theoretical
testing at a training provider accredited by the SAPS. Ranges used for any
training must also be SAPS accredited.
Provision has
been made for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
RESTRICTED FIREARMS
Semi-automatic
rifles and shotguns may only be licensed for self-defence where a handgun is proved to be inadequate.
A semi-automatic shotgun may be licenced to registered dedicated sportsmen and hunters
but may not have been manufactured
to fire more than five shots without reloading.
There is no magazine capacity limit on rifles.
If you own a restricted firearm and do not become a dedicated person you will be
forced to dispose of it or surrender it to the State.
PROHIBITED FIREARMS
All fully
automatic firearms and certain military weapons e.g. mortars, cannons & rocket
launchers.
(Unless you are an accredited Collector with the Category rating of “A”.)
Any replica is prohibited as is any projectile or replica projectile for a
prohibited weapon.
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
1. Firearm Free Zones
These will be
declared by the Minister on application by property owners’ or occupiers.
Carrying a firearm or ammunition into or through such a zone will be a criminal
offence with serious penalties
2. Requirement to carry Licence
Heavy
penalties will be incurred if you do not carry your firearm licence (max 10
years in prison)
Further not being able to identify yourself carries a further penalty (two years
in prison)
3. Minimum age
Standard minimum age for a firearm licence has been raised to 21, but in "special circumstances" (and for dedicated shooters), licences may be issued to younger persons.
NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS BRIEF AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL REQUIREMENTS
Copies of the Firearms Control Act
and the Regulations are available from the
Government Printer.
Or they can be downloaded from the link here
in PDF file format.
Or obtained as photocopies from the State Library.
HUNTERS FORUM GUIDELINES ON HUNTING LICENCE APPLICATIONS
Click Here for link to PDF File
