Renewal of firearm licences, permits or authorization

The South African Police Service is calling upon all firearm licence holders who possesses firearms in terms of the repealed Arms and Ammunition Act 1969, and whose birthdays fall between 1July and 30 September to renew their firearm licences, permits or authorizations before the cut off date, being, 31 March 2008. All persons who apply for the renewal of their firearm licences, permits or authorizations after the expiry of their renewal period may be prosecuted for failing to renew their firearm licences within the stipulated period and if convicted in a court of law, they may be sentenced up to a period of one year imprisonment or to a fine or to both such imprisonment and fine. Such convictions may also lead to a person being disqualified to possess a firearm in future. However, firearm licences issued under the repealed Arms and Ammunition Act of 1969 will cease to be valid on 01 July 2009. In the event a firearm owner chooses not to renew his / her firearm licence, permit or authorization, such a person must dispose of his / her firearm before 1 July 2009. A firearm owner may dispose of the firearm in one of the following manners: Deactivation of the firearm by a licenced gunsmith after approval from the Registrar; Selling of the firearm to a licenced firearm dealer or accredited legal entity; Permanent exportation of the firearm; and Voluntarily hand the firearm to the SAPS for destruction purposes. For more information, visit the SAPS website – www.saps.gov.za ttp://www.saps.gov.za or phone the National Firearms Call Centre at: (012) 353 6111 or contact your local Designated Firearms Officer at (014) 777 3522 / 24.