Natshoot - Newsletters

NHSA Newsletter

VOL. 15 (02) - 11-01-2019

RENEWAL OF LICENCES: PROCESS EXPLAINED

THIS IS A RE-ISSUE OF NEWSLETTER VOL. 11 (02) DATED 13-01-2015

A number of our members’ firearm licences, which were renewed in the transition period from the 1969 to 2000 Firearms Acts, came up for renewal since 2015.

The transition period refers to the time when you had to apply to renew your old green licences to the white card licences issued under the so-called new Act (remember all the long queues and all the frustrations and long-long wait for the issuing of licences ??).

This process of renewal of licences will thus be a continuous process from 2015, as Section 15 and Section 16 licences renewed in the transition period are only valid for 10 years. Many self-protection licences, valid for 5 years, have already expired.

Remember that you have to submit your renewal application(s) 90 days before the expiry date of your white card licences. DO NOT get caught out with licences which have expired, please ! Please do not get yourself into a position where you are forced to hand in your firearm because you are in effect illegally in possession of it.

If you apply before 90 days of the expiry date, your existing licence remains valid until SAPS renews your licence – no matter how long that might take (the renewed licence(s) will also be valid for the period the original licence was valid for, i.e. 5 years or 10 years).

Please ascertain that you make a copy of the receipt for the payment(s) you will have to make for renewal(s) and that you at all times carry this copy of the receipt with your expired licence as proof that you have applied for renewal on time. Otherwise it can be taken that you are illegally in possession of a firearm as the licence has expired (that is especially true for instances where you might be stopped in a roadblock of some sorts and you are asked if you have firearms in your possession)

The following documents will have to accompany your renewal application(s):

Correctly completed SAPS 518(a) form;
Copy of your ID;
Copy of proof of residence;
Copies of all relevant training certificates (those of the Proficiency Trainer and your POSLEC, or SASSETA, or PFTC Statment of Results certificate);
Copy of your competency certificate(s) (Make sure you read our Newsletter Vol. 13(08) on the renewal of Competencies before you renew your firearm licences);
Copy of existing licence;
Proof of paid-up membership of NHSA (download from your Personal NHSA Profile Page [see My NHSA Documents] (and of other accredited associations);
Copy of NHSA dedicated status certificate(s);
Proof of membership of all the clubs you are a member of;
Motivation explaining the purpose and use of a firearm, which includes a large section containing proof of use of a firearm for purposes it was originally motivated for (don’t fold here – attach copies of receipts for hunting trips, of permissions to hunt and transport venison, letters from game ranchers saying that you hunted with them, photo’s of hunting trips with dates, shooting range registers, scorecards, photo’s of you on the shooting range, etc.) (download your NHSA Activities & Scores Report, as well as your activities, register from your personal NHSA Profile Page);
NHSA endorsement of your application and motivation.
Remember to also complete the Safe-form and attach same to your application - download HERE (make sure you read page 2 of this document)
Two passport photo's in colour per firearm