Firearm Licences : Competency
Firearm Competency
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Firearm Competency means that you have been found to be competent to own a
firearm by the SAPS in accordance with the stipulations of Chapter 5 of Act 60 of 2000 as
amended (valid for 5 years).
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When you have acquired proficiency by successfully completing the relevant unit standard(s)
for your specific firearm(s), you must apply for competency status with the Designated
Firearms Officer in your area.with The SAPS will investigate your particular situation and
determine whether you are Competent to own firearms when you apply to re-licence your
legally owned firearms, or if you would apply for a licence for a new firearm. Once the
SAPS have completed their investigation and have found no problem with your application,
they will award you a Competency Certificate which is valid for 5 years (see the stipulations
of the Act thay you have to comply with in order to receive competency re domestic violence]). It is
not yet clear what will happen after the initial 5 years and what criteria the SAPS will set
for "re-application for competency". We shall keep you posted.
Because this process takes time, it is suggested that you at the same time that you apply for Competency status with the SAPS, also apply for the re-licensing of your legally owned firearms. Unless you have to apply for a licence for a new firearm, we advise you to stick to the following schedule drawn up by the SAPS for application for re-licensing of legally owned firearms (your legal position regarding ownership of firearms is acknowledged under the old Act until such time as you have been declared competent under the new Act - so don't panick - contact us if you are unsure):
| Birthday January to March | Must apply during 2005 |
| Birthday April to June | Must apply during 2006 |
| Birthday July to September | Must apply during 2007 |
| Birthday October to December | Must apply during 2008 |
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU HAVE TO APPLY WITHIN THE STIPULATED YEAR, OTHERWISE YOU WILL BE PENALISED.
WE STRONGLY ADVISE MEMBERS NOT TO "SLIP-UP" HERE AS IT CAN INFLUENCE YOUR COMPETENCY CLEARANCE
AT A LATER STAGE.
Note: If you apply for a new firearm licence before the year in which you have to apply for re-licensing, the Competency certificate issued by the SAPS at that time will be valid for 5 years. You will thus not have to apply for competence again if you have to apply for re-licensing of your legally owned firearms at a later date.
You will have to apply for competency every 5 years thereafter (DEDICATED HUNTERS & SPORT-PERSONS APPLY FOR COMPETENCY ONLY EVERY 10 YEARS). Your proficiency certificate from SASSETS (former SASSETA) does not have to be repeated and is valid for as long as you choose to legally own firearms.
