NHSA Newsletter
VOL. 17 (34) - 16-09-2021
SAPS (CFR): LONG OUTSTANDING RENEWAL APPLICATIONS
Dear Member
Section 24(4) of the FCA states that your licence remains valid until SAPS have evaluated your renewal application if you had handed in the firearm licence renewal application at least 90 days before expiry.
With current appointments being made by DFOs well inside the 90 days, members can accept that the procedure below will also legally suffice in cases where applications were handed in within the 90 day period (keep record of appointment being made within the 90 days).
Make an authenticated copy of the receipt you received at renewal of licence and carry with you with the expired licence.
Also make a copy of the title page of the FCA and of the page(s) containing section 24 and carry with you (also let these pages be authenticated)- download here - https://natshoot.co.za/firearm-licence/firearms-act-and-regulations
FCA - Section 24 Renewal of firearm licences
(1) The holder of a licence issued in terms of this Chapter who wishes to renew the licence must at least 90 days before the date of expiry of the licence apply to the Registrar for its renewal.
(2) The application must be-
(a) accompanied by such information as may be prescribed; and
(b) delivered to the Designated Firearms Officer responsible for the area in which the applicant ordinarily resides or in which the applicant's business is, as the case may be.
(3) No application for the renewal of a licence may be granted unless the applicant shows that he or she has continued to comply with the requirements for the licence in terms of this Act.
(4) If an application for the renewal of a licence has been lodged within the period provided for in subsection (1), the licence remains valid until the application is decided.
Keep on asking your DFO if renewal of licence has been completed as these are done on provincial level - always better to drive there and speak in person than to call.
No need to hand in firearms - do not travel with firearms with expired licences which you have renewed without all above mentioned documents with you - protect yourself - usually only issue could be at road blocks
Kind regards, Natshoot Office