According to information provided by the police, a person who has surrendered their firearm during the national firearm amnesty, which will end on 31 January, may claim their expired or unlicensed firearm back if they obtain a proper licence for it within 14 days.
The amnesty allows persons whose firearm licences have expired to surrender such firearms without facing prosecution.
In terms of section 139(4) (a) of the Firearms Control Act, any person who surrenders a firearm in compliance with the amnesty may apply for a licence for the firearm.
If a licence is granted, the surrendered firearm and ammunition will be returned to the holder of the licence.
The following requirements will apply when an application for a firearm licence is lodged by a person who has surrendered his or her firearm under these circumstances:
- The limitation on the number of firearms for the different categories a person may legally possess
- The applicant must have a valid competency certificate for the firearm for which a licence is applied for
- A person who applies for a firearm licence is required to physically hand in the firearm to the Designated Amnesty Official at the police station, and lodge an application for a firearm licence in respect of that firearm within 14 days.
The application must be submitted to the Designated Amnesty Official of the area where the applicant resides with the following supporting documents:
- A certified copy of the applicant’s competency certificate (if already issued)
- In cases where the applicant does not possess a competency certificate, he/she must apply for a competency certificate per the provisions of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No 60 of 2000)
- A completed form 271 on which the applicant must indicate his/her intention to apply for the specific firearm licence. The application for a firearm licence will only be accepted by the Designated Amnesty Official on condition that it complies with the provisions of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No 60 of 2000)
- Comprehensive motivation to support the need for the firearm licence, preferably in the form of a statement under oath or affirmation
- Certified copy of the legal firearm licence, permit or authorisation applicable to the specific firearm (if applicable).
Documentary proof of previous ownership is required to be produced, and only the person who physically surrendered the firearm may apply for a firearm license for the specific firearm surrendered.
Information regarding the Firearms Amnesty may be obtained at your nearest police station and may be accessed on the police’s website www.saps.gov.za or call 012 353 6111 (available 24-hours, including weekends).
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