Prospective firearm owners must first successfully undergo the prescribed proficiency training at a PFTC (South African Professional Firearms Trainers Council) accredited training centre.

The proficiency training unit standards are as follows; Demonstrate Knowledge of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 (Unit Standard 117705) as well as the relevant theoretical and practical tests (Use of a Handgun Unit Standard 119649, Use of a Manual Rifle Unit Standard 119651, Use of a Self-loading rifle or carbine Unit Standard 119650 and/or Use of a Shotgun Unit Standard 119652).

Applicants must complete the required proficiency training according to the type of firearm you wish to apply for.

Upon completion of the proficiency training the applicant will receive a Proficiency Training certificate and a PFTC Statement of Results certificate.

Once in possession of the above mentioned the applicant may apply to the SAPS for a SAPS Competency Certificate. The applicant must complete the SAPS517 (Application for a Competency Certificate) (black pen only) and the required supporting documentation must be submitted together with the SAPS517 to the Designated Firearms Officer (DFO) situated in the area where you ordinarily reside.

For applicants who are already in possession of a SAPS Competency for one or more of the proficiency training unit standards and wish to do further unit standards; you will be required to submit a Further Competency (SAPS517(a) Application for a Further Competency Certificate) application to the SAPS.

For underage applicants; Applicants that are under the age of 21 and wishes to apply for competency first needs to complete the required proficiency training with an accredited training centre. After which the applicant needs to join an accredited club and/or association and obtain dedicated hunting and/or sport shooting status. Upon applying to the SAPS for the competency certificate the applicant needs to provide his/her dedicated hunting and/or sport shooting status certificate from his/her association, along with a letter from a parent/guardian substantiating that the underage applicant is in fact an active dedicated hunter and/or sport shooter. The applicant also needs to provide proof of his/her active participation in hunting and/or sport shooting.

For assistance with regards to the completion of the SAPS517 application form and a list of the supporting documents to be attached to the application please contact the Ranyati Team.

After you have obtained a SAPS Competency Certificate you can then apply for a firearm licence card.

You must first acquire the firearm(s) you wish to apply for either from a firearm dealer, private owner or from an estate before you can apply for the licence card.

Firearm licence applications in South Africa are firearm details and serial number specific.

The applicant is required to complete the relevant sections of the SAPS271 (Application for Licence to Possess a Firearm) form (black pen only).

A detailed motivation and the relevant supporting documentation must be submitted together with the SAPS271 to the DFO situated in the area where you ordinarily reside.

For assistance with regards to the completion of the SAPS271 application form, a list of the supporting documents to be attached and a detailed motivation please contact the Ranyati Team.

Your application(s) must be submitted to the DFO (Designated Firearm Office) at your nearest SAPS, situated in the area where you reside.

No one can submit the application(s) on your behalf to the SAPS, as you will be required to have your finger prints taken.

It is advisable to contact your nearest SAPS to confirm the days and times they accept applications.

Please certify all supporting documentation (For example; ID document, copies of firearm licence cards, copies of training certificate, etc) prior to submission to the SAPS. Please note; Ranyati Firearm Motivations (Pty) Ltd is not a commissioner of oath.

Please do not ring bind any documentation for submission to the SAPS. The SAPS do not want documentation to be ring bound.

Ranyati Firearm Motivations prepares, writes and collates all applications in such manor to ensure all police stations in South Africa’s specifications are met. Please be aware that upon submission that some documentation may be rearranged or omitted by your DFO.

Ranyati Firearm Motivations do not send motivations via email in a softcopy format, as it is against company policy. Completed motivations can be collected from our office or can be sent via courier service.

Should you wish to have a copy of your motivation/application for your own records please insure to make a copy prior to submitting to the SAPS. Alternatively the Ranyati office can assist with a reprint of the motivation/application at an additional charge.

You are required to first apply for a SAPS Competency Certificate before you can apply for a firearm licence(s).

The SAPS Competency Certificate must be accompanied with a copy of your Proficiency Training and the PFTC Statement of Results certificates with all applications. If not in your possession you can inquire from the training centre where you had completed your proficiency training for assistance.

A motivation is not required along with a competency application, however should your police station request one we can assist.

Upon approval of your SAPS Competency Certificate, you should receive a sms from the SAPS stating the competency certificate has been approved. The sms will also indicate that your DFO will contact you as soon as the competency certificate and/or card is ready for collection; in many instances the before mentioned does not happen and you will need to follow up with your DFO.

Please ensure that all questions on Pages 4 to 5 of the SAPS517 Competency application or Pages 3 to 4 of the SAPS517a Further Competency application has been answered correctly.

SAPS Competency certificate validity will be interpreted in one of the following ways by your police station. Please insure to confirm with your DFO:

• Your SAPS is linked to your longest valid licence’s expiry date, even though there may be a different expiry date on the competency certificate.
• Competency for handgun is valid for 5 years and for rifle, shotgun or self-loading rifle is valid for 10 years.
• Your SAPS Competency certificate is 10 years valid from date of issue.

The original signed ‘SAPS271 Application for Licence to Possess a Firearm’ from the ‘Private Owner’, ‘Firearm Dealer’ or ‘Estate’ must be submitted to the SAPS.

If the firearm is purchased from a firearm dealer; the original signed SAP350(a) Dealer Stock Return must be attached to the SAPS271.

In addition, it is VERY IMPORTANT to insure the firearm is registered on the dealer’s stock prior to submission to the SAPS.

Should you be taking over a firearm from a ‘Private Owner’, you cannot apply for a firearm licence which has already expired.

Upon submission to the SAPS please insure that the correct Article of the Act (Section 13 Self-defence, Section 15 Occasional hunting/sport shooting or Section 16 Dedicated hunting/sport shooting) on page 2 (Point 3.1, 3.2 & 3.3) of the SAPS271 application form has been marked in accordance with what the motivation has been written for.

The SAPS requires that the motivation must be initialled on each page and signed fully on the last page.

Please ensure that all questions on Page 8 of the SAPS271 Firearm Licence application has been answered correctly.

Please insure to complete your SAPS271 application form prior to submission to the SAPS.

Benoni SAPS: For new/further competency applications applicants are required to physically be accompanied by 1 individual who will be providing their character reference/testimonial in person and two written references/testimonials are to be provided by a two other individuals.

Benoni, Boksburg, Ermelo, Honeydew, Kempton, Meyerton, Midrand, Norkem Park, Rustenburg, Silverton, Table View, Vryburg & all Western Cape SAPS: A detailed motivation to be provided with renewal applications.

Boksburg SAPS: A detailed motivation to be provided with a further competency application.

Boschkop & Silverton SAPS: Reference / testimonial letters for competency and renewal applications must be hand written, not typed.

Brakpan SAPS: For new/further competency applications applicants are required; to physically be accompanied by 2 individuals who will be providing their character references/testimonials in person and a written reference/testimonial is to be provided by a third individual.

Douglasdale, Sandringham, Sandton & Thembisa SAPS: For new/further competency applications applicants are required to physically be accompanied by the 3 individuals who will be providing the character references / testimonials.

Lyttelton SAPS: Proficiency training certificates are compulsory with every application.

Sinnoville SAPS: No copies of supporting documentation to be certified prior to submission.

Western Cape SAPS: Upon renewal of firearm licences all police stations in the Western Cape area require the applicant to take along his/her firearm(s) for renewal for inspection by the DFO.

Wierdabrug SAPS: You are required to make an appointment with the DFO prior to submission of an application – Tel: 012 685 0046/42 or 012-6850015/8.