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Firearm licence sections 13 to 20, explained
Choosing the wrong section is the most expensive mistake in a firearm application. The section decides what you may say in your motivation, how many firearms you may hold, and how often you must renew.
The sections at a glance
| Section | What it is for | Valid for | How many |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 13 | A firearm for self-defence — a handgun, not fully automatic | 5 years | 1 |
| Section 14 | A restricted firearm for self-defence, where a Section 13 handgun is not enough for the threat | 2 years | 1 |
| Section 15 | Occasional hunting and sport-shooting | 10 years | 4 |
| Section 16 | Dedicated hunter or dedicated sport-shooter | 10 years | No fixed limit |
| Section 17 | Private collection | 10 years | No fixed limit |
| Section 19 | Public collection — a museum or accredited institution | 10 years | No fixed limit |
| Section 20 | Business purposes — security, training, film and TV, game ranching, hunting businesses | 5 years (10 for hunting businesses) | No fixed limit |
Section 13 — a firearm for self-defence
The most common licence in South Africa. A handgun, not fully automatic, for the personal protection of the licence holder. One firearm, renewed every five years.
The motivation must be about self-defence and nothing else. Credible threat, your circumstances, where you live and work, why a firearm is a proportionate response. The moment you mention that you would also like to shoot competitively at the club, you have contradicted the section you are applying under.
Section 14 — a restricted firearm for self-defence
For a restricted firearm — typically a semi-automatic rifle or shotgun — where you can show that a Section 13 handgun is genuinely not enough for the threat you face. One firearm, and it renews every two years, which is the shortest cycle of any section.
The bar is higher. A general sense of unease will not carry a Section 14. You need a serious, specific and persistent threat, and the DFO will expect evidence.
Section 15 — occasional hunting and sport-shooting
Up to four firearms for occasional hunting and sport-shooting, valid ten years. You need proof of membership of a hunting association or shooting club.
No self-defence angle is permitted, ever. This is where applicants sabotage themselves: they apply on Section 15 because it allows four firearms, then write a motivation about protecting the family farm. That is a Section 13 argument in a Section 15 application, and it is a refusal.
Section 16 — dedicated hunter or dedicated sport-shooter
For people who are formally recognised as dedicated by an accredited hunting association or sport-shooting body. Ten years, no fixed limit on the number of firearms.
"Dedicated" is a status you hold, not a word you use about yourself. You earn it through your association by participating in a minimum number of activities per year and keeping a logbook, and the association issues you dedicated status you can prove. More on dedicated status →
Again: no self-defence angle. Not one sentence.
Section 17 — private collection
A firearm held by a private collector who belongs to an accredited collectors' association. Ten years, no fixed limit. The motivation is about historical, mechanical or collecting interest — never about shooting the firearm for sport, hunting or defence.
Section 19 — public collection
A firearm held by an institution — a museum or accredited body — for preservation and public display. Ten years. This is an institutional licence, not a route for a private individual with a large collection.
Section 20 — business purposes
Firearms held for a business. The Act breaks this into sub-types, and they are not interchangeable:
| Sub-type | Who it is for | Valid |
|---|---|---|
| Business in hunting | Professional hunters, outfitters, safari operators, commercial game cropping | 10 years |
| Security business | PSIRA-registered security operators — armed response, cash-in-transit, close protection | 5 years |
| Training purposes | Accredited firearm training providers and instructors | 5 years |
| Theatrical, film and TV | Production armourers and props companies | 5 years |
| Game rancher | Registered game-ranching operations — cropping, predator control, anti-poaching | 5 years |
| Other business purposes | Dealers' assistants, gunsmiths, other firearm-industry work | 5 years |
A Section 20 is about the business's need, not the applicant's. Personal self-defence is forbidden in every single Section 20 sub-type, including the security one — an armed response officer's firearm is for the business's armed-response duties, not for protecting his own family on the way home. Full Section 20 guide →
How to choose
Work backwards from what you will actually do with the firearm, not from what allows the most firearms:
- Protecting yourself and your family → Section 13 (or 14 for a restricted firearm).
- Hunting or shooting a few times a year, as a club or association member → Section 15.
- Hunting or shooting seriously, with dedicated status from your association → Section 16.
- Collecting, through an accredited collectors' association → Section 17.
- Firearms used in the course of a registered business → Section 20, correct sub-type.
You cannot mix angles
Each section has one permitted purpose and the motivation has to stay inside it. Sport reasons on a Section 13, or defence reasons on a Section 15 or 16, read as an applicant trying to get the firearm any way they can. Designated Firearm Officers see this every week and it is a refusal.
This is general information about South African firearm law and SAPS procedure, not legal advice, and we are not SAPS. Where your situation is unusual — a past conviction, a pending case, a firearm inherited from a deceased estate — speak to a firearms attorney.
Frequently asked questions
How many firearms can I own in South Africa?
It depends on the section. Section 13 allows one firearm and Section 14 allows one. Section 15 allows up to four. Sections 16, 17, 19 and 20 have no fixed limit, but every firearm must be individually licensed and motivated.
How long is each firearm licence section valid?
Section 13 is five years, Section 14 is two years, Sections 15, 16, 17 and 19 are ten years, and Section 20 is five years for most business sub-types and ten years for hunting businesses.
Can I use self-defence as a reason on a Section 15 or 16 application?
No. Sections 15, 16 and 17 forbid a self-defence angle entirely. Mentioning personal protection in a sport or hunting motivation contradicts the section you applied under and is a common cause of refusal.
What is the difference between Section 15 and Section 16?
Section 15 is for occasional hunting and sport-shooting and allows up to four firearms. Section 16 is for people holding formal dedicated hunter or dedicated sport-shooter status through an accredited association, and has no fixed limit on firearms. Both run ten years.
Which section do I use for a firearm I need for work?
Section 20, under the sub-type that matches the business — security, training, film and TV, game ranching, hunting business or other business purposes. Personal self-defence is not a permitted reason under any Section 20 sub-type.
Let us prepare it for you
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