In South Africa, the reason you may own a firearm decides which section of the Firearms Control Act you apply under. Each section has its own purpose, firearm limit and validity period. Choosing the correct section is one of the most important parts of a successful application.
| Section | Purpose | Limit | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Self-defence (handgun) | 1 | 5 years |
| 14 | Occasional sport (handgun) | 1 | 2 years |
| 15 | Dedicated sport / dedicated hunting | 4 | 10 years |
| 16 | Dedicated hunting / occasional sport | No fixed limit | 10 years |
| 17 | Private collection | No fixed limit | 10 years |
Sections 13 and 14 are mutually exclusive — you cannot hold both for the same purpose. Section 15 is for dedicated sportspersons or dedicated hunters (and never uses a self-defence reason). Picking the wrong section, or using the wrong reason for a section, is a common cause of rejected applications.
Firearm License Pro SA writes your motivation to match the section you are applying under, so it stays within the rules for that section.
Start your applicationSection 13 is for a self-defence handgun and is valid for 5 years. Section 14 is for an occasional sport handgun and is valid for 2 years. They are mutually exclusive for the same purpose.
Section 15 (dedicated sport or dedicated hunting) allows up to 4 firearms and is valid for 10 years.
Sections 15, 16 and 17 are valid for 10 years. Section 13 is 5 years and Section 14 is 2 years.