Price hikes for gun ownership in South Africa – this is what it costs
The Department of Police has published amendments to the fees under the Firearms Control Act.
Ultimately this means that South Africans who currently or wish to acquire a firearm must fork out more to enable them to apply for a gun licence.
The changes come in light of inflationary pressure with adjustment accounting for CPI. The amount for 2023/2024 shows a 4.42% increase, whereas 2024/2025 will increase by 4.45% and 2025/2026 a further 4.48%.
The new fees take immediate effect as signed off by the minister of police, Bheki Cele. The amendments specify that payments can only be made in cash or through bank-guaranteed cheques. However, this appears to be out of date, as cheques have been discontinued in South Africa since November 2020.
The following changes have been made for various application processes:
| Fee payable for: | Amount 2022/23 | Amount with CPI 2023/24 4.42% | Amount with CPI 2024/25 4.45% | Amount with CPI 2025/26 4.48% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application for licence to possess a firearm | R161 | R168 | R175 | R183 |
| Application for a competency certificate | R80 | R84 | R88 | R92 |
| Application for a further competency certificate | R80 | R84 | R88 | R92 |
| Application for a duplicate licence, permit, certificate or authorisation | R80 | R84 | R88 | R92 |
| Application for licence issue to particular categories of persons – dealers, manufacturers and gunsmiths | R1 610 | R1 681 | R1 757 | R1 836 |
| Application for renewal of a licence, permit or authorisation | R80 | R84 | R88 | R92 |
| Application for a temporary authorisation to possess a firearm | R161 | R168 | R175 | R183 |
| Application for renewal of a dealer’s, manufacturer’s or gunsmith’s licence | R805 | R841 | R878 | R917 |
| Application for a temporary authorisation to trade in firearms or ammunition | R632 | R660 | R689 | R720 |
| Application for accreditation | R322 | R336 | R351 | R367 |
| Application for a permanent import or export permit | R161 | R168 | R175 | R183 |
| Application for an in-transit permit for business purposes | R161 | R168 | R175 | R183 |
| Application for permit to transport firearms and ammunition | R322 | R336 | R351 | R367 |
| Application for a permit to collect ammunition | R161 | R168 | R175 | R183 |
Gun ownership in South Africa is a contentious topic given the high rate of violent crime across the country; however, many people believe it is in their best interests to bear arms to ensure they remain safe.
The latest crime statistics for the period between October and December 2022, reported a major increase in violent crime, with Q3 2022 crime stats pointing to a 21.2% increase in common robbery, a 12% increase in common assault and a 10.8% increase in robbery with aggravated circumstances.
The total number of contact crimes increased by 19,067 (11.6%) from Q3 2021 to Q3 2022.
Having a gun in South Africa is regulated largely under the Firearms Control Act 2000 that, when introduced, aimed to address the increased availability and abuse of firearms and ammunition in the country that continued high levels of violent crime.
Out of the 7,555 murders recorded during the period, 3,144 people were with a firearm.
The act does, however, recognise that every person has the right to life and the right to security of their person. The act broadly outlines the registration of weaponry, the purchase of such and its use while also providing for offences to the act.
Illegal firearm possession in South Africa is a big concern for citizens and the South African Police Service alike. According to the minister of police, during the third quarter of 2022, over 65,519 illegal weapons were removed and destroyed.
Shown below are the updated Firearms Control fees:
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