Firearm Licences : Guidelines for Firearm Licence Application

Guidelines for Firearm Licence Application

1. Use the application forms available on our website or get them from the Designated Firearms Officer (DFO) at your nearest SAPS station (or from our office at cost of printing and postage). You can also download the forms directly from the SAPS site.
2. Fill in your details in the blank fields. In your own interest, we suggest that you submit all supporting documents in typed format in English, to avoid statements of 'unclear meaning' or 'illegible handwriting'.
3. Where in the past it was sufficient to fill out a form to apply for firearm licences, one must under the new Act (60 of 2000) motivate why one needs such firearm. Use the following guidelines and / or contact the NSA at our Firearms Licensing Helpline 012-343-3236 (office hours only) to assist you - make sure you do that correctly. You may apply for a SAPS competency certificate at the same time that you apply for renewal of your already legally owned firearms.

Official SAPS forms that you will need

• SAPS 517: Application for a Competency Certificate (click here to download)
• SAPS 517(e): Application for Renewal of Licence(s) in Terms of the Previous Act (click here to download) + the Annexure to SAPS 517(e) (click here to download) which is available at the District Firearms Officer at the nearest police station (these two forms must be completed for each of the firearms you wish to renew the licence of).
• SAPS 271: Application for Licence to Possess a Firearm (which is the application for a licence for a new firearm)
Make sure that you receive the following two completed forms from the DFO once you have submitted your applications (click here to download).
• SAPS 523 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Firearm Documentation (one per application) (click here to download)
• SAPS 523(a) Remittance Advice for Firearm Applications (once you have paid the prescribed amounts)

The Process

When applying for the renewal of one's current firearm licence/s the following process has to be followed:

• The NSA advises it?s members to rather complete the tree Unit Standards for handgun, shotgun, and rifle (US 10748, US 10754, US 10750) than to just complete the Unit Standard for the Theory on the Act (US 117705). Last mentioned has not been approved by SAQA yet and it might take some time before that happens. On the other hand the SAPS(CFR) is on record as to the effect that they will accept the theoretical sections of the three first mentioned Unit Standards as enough proof of knowledge of the Act to suffice in the place of US 117705 if you just apply for renewals of licences. You also have the advantage that you can after completion of these three Unit Standards always apply for a new licence for any firearm you would want to acquire. You will never have to do the proficiency testing again.
• On successful completion of this the result and accompanying documentation are sent in to SASSETA by the training provider
• SASSETA issues you with a proficiency certificate
• A certified copy of your proficiency certificate is handed in with your application for a competency certificate at the Designated Firearms Officer (DFO) of the SAPS in your area
• The SAPS issues you with a competency certificate valid for five years (10 years for Dedicated Hunters)
• At the same time you apply for the competency certificate, you must apply for the renewal of your firearm licence/s of your firearm/s licensed under the old Act.
• Certified copies of the Competency Certificate and other supporting documentation, together with extensive motivations should be submitted with each application for renewal of the firearm licence/s
• The SAPS will take a complete set of fingerprints
• Your safe or strong room will be inspected by the SAPS to ensure that it meets the prescribed requirements
• Two recent passport sized colour photographs have to be submitted with the application
• The DFO will hand you the competency certificate and the firearm licence/s
• Should the licence be refused, you must Appeal against the decision in writing to the Chairman of the Appeals Board

Documentation you will need for application

1. Particulars of Applicant
   • Certified copy of your identity book?s main page with photo.
   • Your full contact details i.e. physical address, all applicable telephone numbers, details of the neighbours, how far the residence is from the nearest police station and description of the general area (e.g. suburb, smallholding, farm, block of flats)
   • Confirmation of the physical address where you live e.g. certified copy of electricity bill / bond statement / rates and taxes statement etc.
   • A letter from your doctor confirming that you are of sound health and mind and specifically are emotionally stable.
   • Confirmation & brief description of your current employment (signed by your employer if applicable)


2. Particulars of Spouse/Partner/Parents
   • If married, a certified copy of your spouse?s identity document and a statement confirming that he/she has no objection to you obtaining this licence.
   • If you share a dwelling with any third parties, a letter confirming that he/she/they has/ have no objection to you obtaining this licence.


3. Proficiency and Competence Certificate (see proficiency and competency for difference)
   • Certified copies of your proficiency Certificate(s) which was issued by SASSETA as proof of you having complied with the requirements for the Unit Standard(s) for handgun, rifle, shotgun, whatever your particular case may be.
   • A certified copy of your Firearm Competence Certificate (issued by the SA Police Service). This is a pre-requisite before your application for a licence or renewal of a licence can be approved (can be done at the same time as you apply for re-licensing of your firearms)
   • The Competence Certificate requires a Proficiency Certificate from SASSETA i.r.o. Full unit standards for new licence applications and RPL Proficiency Certificate (Unit Standard 117705) for re-licensing of currently owned firearms (at this stage the SAPS accepts certificates issued by training providers as the SASSETA process has not been finalised)


4. Licensed Firearms
   • List details of all your currently licensed firearms with complete motivation for each (rather too much than too little ? anticipate all questions the evaluators may ask ? i.e. calibre, why needed, what you will be shooting, why and proof of you having shot it before or that you intend to hunt or shoot it after application was successful - include photo?s where you can).
   • Certified copies of all your existing firearm licenses.


5. Details of Firearm i.r.o. this Application (additional to that provided in form
   • A copy of the relevant invoice to confirm purchase of the specific firearm being applied for (if you have or if new one).
   • General description of firearm, special features, market value (if significant), sentimental value (of heirloom), type of action (i.e. under lever), the barrel length, etc. (include photo)
   • Detailed explenation of special features related to application (e.g. Purdey vintage gun, double rifle vs. magazine rifle and why, killing power of calibre, explanation of varminting load, wildcat loads, retro chokes).
   • Illustrate with photographs including close-up details.
   • A list of all intended ?target? or 'quarry" species for which the specific firearm will be used, with explenations where possible (e.g. .375 needed for buffalo; 3-inch magnum special goose gun for spurwing geese).
   • Supporting endorsement by recognised subject matter expert - NSA.





6. Hunter/Sportsman Status
   • If you qualify, your Dedicated Hunter certificate issued by the NSA, and if you have Dedicated Hunter certificates from other Accredited hunting or shooting associations attach these too (certified copies).


7. Motivation
   • A primary motivation setting out the reason why you wish to obtain the firearm and explain fully the background, and reasons. State the description or type of the firearm applied for in respect of the motivation (bearing in mind that the officials may not know the difference between a Purdey worth R 0,5 million and a Baikal worth a couple of hundred Rand). If, for instance, it is a semi-auto shotgun (you must be a dedicated hunter), motivate (e.g. recoil reasons, female shooter and attach supporting evidence from an SME (Subject Matter Expert) ? thus be detailed in your technical explanation.
   • Provide additional and special motivation in respect of the firearm. Explain any specific and specialized technical specifications of the firearm that necessitates the acquisition. Motivate fully, supported by documentation from experts, why you need it.. Also provide in full sentimental reasons such as a family heirloom with photos.
   • In the event that the specific firearm duplicates an existing firearm calibre, detailed reasons as to why such acquisition is necessary- i.e. you already own a .308 for hunting and now need one for target shooting (bench of Bisley). This detailed motivation should be supported by an endorsement from the NSA based on a report submitted by a Recognised Subject Matter Expert on Firearms & Shooting.
   • Include here a supporting motivation / endorsement from the NSA supporting your application (not compulsory but recommended) ? or other association you belong to.


8. Endorsement by the NSA
   • Confirmation of your membership of all the clubs and associations since you started shooting, i.e. NSA.
   • Copies of membership certificates/affidavits.
   • If applicable, also include the ?Expert Hunter" rating certificate of other associations.
   • Motivational endorsement by the NSA i.r.o. this application.





9. Storage/Safe Details
   • Give a full description of your firearm safe supported where appropriate, with documentation and photographs to show its nature, type and location, how and where it is bolted to the wall and/or floor, with SABS certificate or certificate from the manufacturer/seller.


10. Dwelling Security Details
    • Full details of your security facilities for example if there is an alarm, how it operates and whether it is linked to armed response; what crime is likely in your area; height of walls around the property; is there an electric fence or dogs; are there burglar bars on the windows and burglar gates on the outside doors. A series of photographs would be preferable.


11. Education, Training & Previous Experience
    • Details of all educational and professional qualifications that you have obtained including certified copies of any degrees / certificates for courses completed etc.
    • Details of any firearm training that your may have received, supported where appropriate with certificates. Also details of accumulated experience with photos.
    • A comprehensive history of the your shooting and hunting career and exposure, with photographs where available (include official hunting and shooting logbooks).
    • Proof that you have shot or hunted at various locations, supported by photographs or testimonials or statements from fellow hunters and or landowners, photos of medals, certificates.
    • If you participated in any competitive shooting activities ? proof and confirmation thereof.


12. Testimonials
    • Testimonial from someone who is a professional person or senior manager or acceptable public figure (such as a minister of religion) testifying to your character.
    • At least two other testimonials ? one from a person with whom you have hunted who can confirm that you do hunt and is safe with firearms.

Additional advice and hints

• Print the List of Contents, and place in a ring-binder, with numbered dividers corresponding to the list of contents.
• Below the List of Contents place the completed Application Form (SAPS-271 for new licence or SAPS-517 + SAPS-517(a) for renewal of licence ? downloadable from our website). Fill in the Application form with a black pen.
• Place the various documents with each divider as listed in the contents page.
• In the inside front of the folder, place the pre-filled SAPS-523 form ?Acknowledgement of Receipt of Application? (also available on our website).
• When you hand in the application, make sure that you retain a signed, stamped and dated copy of this Acknowledgement form, complete with the name of the official who received your application. File this form with the application back-up file.
• Retain a complete back-up set of all documentation submitted as part of the application, each page/item certified by a Justice of Peace, to be kept in case the original application is mislaid.

>> Front page application

>> Print CHECKLIST





EXCEPT FOR PERSONAL USE BY MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION, NO PART OF THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE COPIED, REPRODUCED, SCANNED, DIGITISED OR DISSEMINATED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE NATIONAL SHOOTING ASSOCIATION, 34 MINNI STREET, CLYDESDALE, PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA. THIS FACT SHEET IS AN ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE NSA FOR ITS MEMBERS AND IS PRODUCED IN GOOD FAITH BASED ON AVAILABLE INFORMATION. NEITHER THE ASSOCIATION NOR THE COMPILERS ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FOR THE VERACITY OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED OR NOT-PROVIDED. NO GUARANTEES REGARDING FIREARM LICENSING ARE GIVEN OR IMPLIED.

PO Box 11461, Hatfield, 0028
Tel 012-343-3236 | Fax 086 5113 555 | Email admin@natshoot.co.za

Copyright © 2005 The National Shooting Association. All rights reserved.