30/12/2025
DID YOU KNOW?
The Fi****ms Control Act, 2000 (Act 60 of 2000) does not prohibit a privately licensed firearm from being possessed, carried, transported or used for a lawful purpose other than the original licence motivation.
This position has been formally confirmed by SAPS at provincial level.
LIMPOPO PROVINCE:
On 19 July 2023, the Limpopo Provincial SAPS Commissioner issued an official Directive confirming that, except for fi****ms licensed for business purposes, a person does not commit an offence if a firearm is used for an additional lawful purpose.
The Directive explicitly states that a firearm licensed for: hunting, or sport shooting, may also be lawfully carried and used for self-defence, and vice versa.
FREE STATE PROVINCE:
This legal position was already confirmed earlier in the Free State SAPS Legal & Policy Services Directive dated 5 May 2022, which clearly states:
1. There is no provision in the FCA that restricts possession of a firearm based on licence category
2. There are no licence conditions attached to hunting or sport-shooting licences that limit possession or carry
3. A person with a valid licence does not commit an offence merely by possessing that firearm for another lawful purpose
What this means in plain language?
A firearm licensed under Section 13, 15, 16 or 16A MAY lawfully be:
carried,
transported, and
used
for self-defence, sport shooting, or hunting, provided the person holds a valid licence and complies with safe carry and storage requirements.
Practical advice:
We strongly recommend that firearm owners keep hard copies of both the Limpopo and Free State SAPS directives with their firearm documentation and carry them when travelling with fi****ms, particularly when passing through roadblocks.
In closing, if you are ever uncertain about any firearm-related regulation or legal requirement, we strongly recommend that you consult your local SAPS DFO, or seek guidance from recognised bodies such as GOSA (Gun Owners SA), or your accredited hunting or sport-shooting association, all of whom have access to in-house legal expertise to assist you with accurate, up-to-date information.
Link to the directives: