Courses / The Firearms Control Act / Lesson 2
Getting a licence
Competency, who may apply, and the licence types. Lesson 2 of 8 · about 9 minutes to watch.
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Step through the slides. The trainer's words are under each one.
Getting a licence
Firearms Act, lesson 2 of 8: competency, who may apply and the licence types
Last time you met the people who run the system. Today: who may apply, and which licence fits which purpose.
Six things every applicant needs
Section 9 sets the requirements for a competency certificate. You must be 21 on the day the DFO receives your application, a citizen or permanent resident, and fit and proper: mentally stable, not inclined to violence, not dependent on alcohol or drugs. Certain convictions disqualify you, but only if the sentence ended less than five years ago. And you must pass the knowledge test and the practical test for each type of firearm. Section 9(5) lets the Registrar allow a younger applicant for compelling reasons, for example a dedicated hunter or sports person.
One licence for each firearm
- Possessing a firearm without a licence is an offence
- Each firearm needs its own licence
- A barrel, frame or receiver counts as a firearm
- Slides, bolts and breech-blocks are firearm parts
Section 3 says you need a licence to possess a firearm, and section 11 says one licence per firearm. The Act's definition of a firearm includes the barrel, frame or receiver, so those need a licence too. A slide, bolt or breech-block is a firearm part: under section 94 you may only have one if you're licensed for a firearm it fits.
Match the licence to the purpose
| Licence | Purpose | Firearms | How many |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 13 | Self-defence | Handgun, or shotgun that isn't self-loading | 1 |
| Section 14 | Restricted self-defence | Self-loading rifle or shotgun | 1 |
| Section 15 | Occasional hunting and sport | Handgun, rifle, shotgun, not self-loading | Up to 4 |
| Section 16 | Dedicated hunting and sport | Includes self-loading rifles | No limit in the Act |
| Section 17 | Private collection | As the collectors' association approves | No limit in the Act |
The licence depends on why you want the firearm. Sipho's pistol for self-defence is section 13: one handgun or a shotgun that isn't self-loading. A self-loading rifle for self-defence is section 14, granted only if a section 13 firearm isn't enough. Marike's hunting rifle and Johan's shotgun can be section 15, occasional hunting and sport: up to four, only three if you also have a section 13, and only one of them a handgun. Thandi's self-loading rifle needs section 16, dedicated status from an accredited association. Section 17 is for collectors.
How long each licence lasts
Section 27 sets how long each licence lasts. Two years for section 14, five for section 13, ten for sections 15, 16 and 17. Your competency certificate is valid for the same period as the licence it relates to, and you renew them together.
Renew at least 90 days before expiry
- 1Check the dateOn your licence card
- 2Apply 90 days beforeSAPS 518(a)
- 3Keep the receiptProof you applied in time
- 4Still validUntil SAPS decides
Section 24 says apply for renewal at least 90 days before your licence expires. If you do, it stays valid until SAPS decides, even past the expiry date. Keep your acknowledgement of receipt. If you miss it and the licence expires, it ends: section 28 gives no grace period.
If a licence expires
- Possessing the firearm is no longer lawful
- You remain the owner (Constitutional Court, 2022)
- You may apply for a new licence
- Or dispose of it through a dealer, or hand it in
In 2022 the Constitutional Court confirmed that when a licence lapses, you're still the owner, and you may apply for a new licence, which SAPS must accept. But until you've acted, you're possessing a firearm without a licence. Don't let it get there.
Your turn
Before lesson 3
- Do the exercise: Which licence?
- Answer four quick questions on this lesson
- Note the expiry date of any licence you hold, minus 90 days
Before lesson 3, match ten situations to the right licence and answer four questions. If you already hold a licence, work out the date 90 days before it expires. Next: presumptions.
Do: Which licence?
Each person wants a firearm for a reason. Which licence fits?
Check
Four quick questions. The reason shows as soon as you answer.
Apply
Where this shows up in your own life.
If you hold a licence, write down the date 90 days before it expires and put it in your calendar.
Ridgeview Firearms Academy and its people are fictional. This is study material written from the Firearms Control Act and the SAQA unit standards. It isn't an accredited course or legal advice; your accredited training provider runs the official tests.