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Section 20 — firearms for business purposes
A Section 20 licence is held for a business, not for a person. That single distinction changes the whole application — who applies, what the motivation may say, and what supporting documents are required.
The six sub-types
Section 20 is not one licence. The Act breaks business purposes into categories, and they are not interchangeable — the sub-type decides the validity period and what the motivation may argue.
| Sub-type | Who it is for | Valid |
|---|---|---|
| Business in hunting | Professional hunters, outfitters, safari operators, commercial game cropping, conservation culling | 10 years |
| Security business | PSIRA-registered security operators — armed response, cash-in-transit, close protection, tactical response | 5 years |
| Training purposes | SAPS-accredited training providers, PFTC or SASSETA-registered centres, registered assessors and moderators | 5 years |
| Theatrical, film and TV | Production armourers and props companies | 5 years |
| Game rancher | Registered game-ranching operations — cropping, predator control, anti-poaching, live capture | 5 years |
| Other business purposes | Dealers' assistants, gunsmiths, commercial wildlife handling, other firearm-industry work | 5 years |
The licence belongs to the business
Where the applicant is a registered company, the licence is issued to the business as a juristic person. The firearms are used by its employees in the course of the business, under the control of a named responsible person.
That responsible person is central to the application. They must be identified, they must hold their own valid competency, and they carry the obligation for the firearms — the register, the issuing and return of firearms to staff, and the storage.
A private individual can also hold a Section 20 in their own name where their work requires it — a professional hunter, a game rancher, an instructor.
Personal self-defence is forbidden — in every sub-type
This is the mistake that sinks Section 20 applications
Not one Section 20 sub-type permits a personal, family or home-protection angle. Including the security sub-type.
An armed response officer's firearm is licensed for the business's armed-response duties. The moment the motivation says he also needs it travelling to and from work, or to protect his own family, it has left Section 20 and become a Section 13 argument — under a section that does not allow it.
If a person genuinely needs a firearm for personal protection as well, that is a separate Section 13 application in their own name.
What the motivation must establish
- What the business is and that it is properly registered for what it does.
- The operational need — the specific duties that require firearms, described concretely.
- Why this number and these types of firearm, tied to the actual operation.
- Who controls them — the responsible person, their competency, and the control arrangements.
- Who uses them — that the staff issued firearms hold their own valid competencies.
- Storage and the register the business keeps.
Supporting documents
- Company registration (CIPC) documents.
- PSIRA registration — security businesses only.
- SAPS accreditation — training businesses only.
- Proof of the business's registration for its particular field, where one exists.
- The responsible person's ID and competency certificate.
- Business address and storage details.
- The firearm register arrangements.
Note what is not on that list for most businesses. A PSIRA number means nothing for a game rancher. A FAR number belongs to a firearm dealer, not to every business. Do not go chasing a document your business could not possibly hold.
Section 20 and Regulation 21
Where staff use business firearms, their own competency and, for security officers, Regulation 21 re-assessment come into the picture. Regulation 21 is about the individual being assessed for the firearm they use at work — it sits alongside a Section 20, it does not replace it. Our sister company runs Regulation 21 assessments in Cape Town.
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
What is a Section 20 firearm licence in South Africa?
A licence to possess a firearm for business purposes. Where the applicant is a registered company the licence is issued to the business as a juristic person, and the firearms are used by its employees under the control of a named responsible person.
How long is a Section 20 business firearm licence valid?
Five years for most sub-types — security, training, theatrical, game rancher and other business purposes — and ten years for a business in hunting.
Can a security officer use a business firearm for personal self-defence?
No. Personal, family and home protection are forbidden in every Section 20 sub-type, including the security one. A firearm licensed to a security business is for that business’s armed-security duties. Personal protection requires a separate Section 13 application in the individual’s own name.
Who is the responsible person on a Section 20 application?
The person the business names as controlling its firearms. They must hold their own valid competency and carry the obligations for the firearm register, the issuing and return of firearms to staff, and storage.
Does a Section 20 replace Regulation 21 for security officers?
No. A Section 20 licenses the business to hold firearms; Regulation 21 is the assessment of the individual officer for the firearm they use at work. They sit alongside each other.
Let us prepare it for you
Firearm License Pro SA builds your complete SAPS-ready application from the details on your profile — the correct SAPS form, a motivation letter written for your section, and a checklist of the supporting documents you need for a Section 20 business application. You check it, print it, and hand it in.
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