How to Get a Firearm Licence in South Africa

Before you touch anything SAPS-related, you need to complete proficiency training at a SAPS-accredited training provider (accreditation runs through SASSETA; most providers are also PFTC-affiliated). No training certificate = no competency application = no licence.

What the Training Covers

There are two mandatory components:

1. Legal Knowledge (Unit Standard 117705)

• Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000
• Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 (use of force in effecting an arrest — self-defence itself is governed by common-law private defence)
• Legal storage, transport, and carrying requirements
• When you may and may not use a firearm

Format: 50-question open-book assessment (completed at home before training day) plus a 25-question closed-book test at the venue.

2. Practical Firearm Handling (one per firearm type)

• Handgun (Unit Standard 119649)
• Semi-auto rifle (Unit Standard 119650)
• Manually operated rifle — bolt-action, lever-action, pump-action (Unit Standard 119651)
• Shotgun (Unit Standard 119652)

Covers safe handling, loading, unloading, firing, cleaning, and ammunition identification. Includes a practical shooting evaluation — you must hit the target with a required number of shots. Duration is approximately 5-6 hours per module.

Where to Do Your Training

Training must be at a SAPS-accredited provider (accreditation runs through SASSETA; most are also PFTC-affiliated). Some of the major providers in South Africa:

• Safari Outdoor — South Africa's largest hunting/outdoor retailer with accredited training centres. Branches in Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, Boksburg, Cradlestone, and Nelspruit.
• ITA (International Firearm Training Academy) — Market leader since 1993, supplies training material to 260+ accredited centres nationwide.
• Lyttelton Firearm Training Centre — Centurion, Gauteng. Well-regarded for all-inclusive pricing.
• False Bay Firearm Training Academy — Cape Town area.
• Pro-Arm Firearm Training Academy — Durban, KZN.

The PFTC (an industry council most trainers belong to) maintains a full list of providers by province at pftc.co.za. Make sure your provider is properly accredited — certificates from non-accredited providers will not be accepted by SAPS.

Training Costs (2025/26)

Most providers include everything in the price: study material, firearm rental, ammunition, range fees, and certification. Ask before you book to confirm.

With your training certificates in hand, you apply to SAPS for a Competency Certificate. This proves you are legally eligible and trained to possess a category of firearm. It is not a licence — it's the prerequisite for a licence.

What It Is

A competency certificate is issued per category of firearm (handgun, rifle, shotgun, semi-auto). Multiple categories can appear on a single document. It proves you passed the training, passed background checks, and are a "fit and proper person" under the Firearms Control Act.

How It Works

• You submit a SAPS 517 form in person at the Designated Firearms Officer (DFO) at your local police station
• You must go yourself — fingerprints are taken on the spot
• Fee: R92 (2025/26 — SAPS adjusts this annually), paid in cash at the station
• SAPS runs background checks: criminal history, mental health assessment, violence/protection order history
• SAPS's operational service target is 120 working days (not a deadline set by the Firearms Control Act) — in practice, expect 3-4 months

Validity

A competency certificate is valid for the same period as the licence it relates to — 5 years for self-defence (Section 13) and 10 years for hunting or sports-shooting (Section 15/16). If you hold a competency before any licence in that category, SAPS practice on its validity varies — confirm with your DFO.

For more detail on the competency process, see our competency certificate guide.

Once your competency certificate is approved, two things need to happen before you can apply for a licence:

Buy Your Firearm

Go to any licensed firearm dealer and purchase your firearm. Yes, you buy it before you have the licence — this is how the process works. The dealer keeps the firearm in their possession until your licence is approved. They'll give you the dealer's tax invoice (proof of purchase, showing the firearm's serial number, make, model and calibre). You need this for your licence application.

Install a Gun Safe

You need a SABS 953-1 or 953-2 compliant firearm safe installed at your residence. SAPS will inspect your premises before issuing the licence.

The safe must have minimum 2.8mm steel walls, 5.75mm steel door, at least 3 locking bolts, a separate locked ammunition compartment, and must be bolted to a wall or floor.

This is the most complex step. You submit a SAPS 271 form with around 11 supporting documents — including a detailed motivation letter, character references, certified copies, and proof of safe storage.

The motivation letter is the single most common reason applications get refused. It needs to be personal, evidence-based, and specific to your situation and application section (13, 15, or 16). A weak or generic letter means a refusal after months of waiting.

The licence application fee is R183 (2025/26 — SAPS adjusts this annually). SAPS's operational service target is 120 working days (not a deadline set by the Firearms Control Act), but in practice expect 3-6+ months.

After you submit, your application enters the SAPS processing pipeline. It moves through your DFO, the Provincial office, the Central Firearms Register (CFR), and finally the Licensing Section for a decision.

Based on data from 30,000+ tracked applications on TrackMyApp, here's what the processing pipeline looks like:

These are real averages from live data, not estimates. For full processing time breakdowns, see our processing times guide.