Article 21 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 21 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
The article bars giving a person whose license was cancelled any new license for any other weapon, except in the cases determined by the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز إعطاء الشخص الملغى ترخيصه أي ترخيص جديد على أي سلاح آخر إلا في الحالات التي تحددها اللائحة .
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 21 explained in plain English
This article places a restriction on a person whose license was previously cancelled: he may not be given any new license for any other weapon.
Two points are clear from the text:
- The rule: a ban on a new license. It is not limited to the weapon whose license was cancelled but covers any other weapon.
- The exception: the cases determined by the Implementing Regulations. They are what show when a new license may be granted to a person whose license was cancelled.
The article does not set a period for the ban, does not state the excepted cases, and does not distinguish between the reasons for cancellation; the details are left to the Regulations. For that reason, it cannot be known from the text of the article alone whether a particular person can obtain a new license.
The article comes within the provisions regulating licenses, like Article 20, which refers to the Regulations the procedures and conditions for changing the activity or assigning it, for those licensed to import personal firearms and their ammunition or to sell or buy them, and Article 22, which refers to the Regulations the procedures to be taken if a license is lost or damaged. Loss of or damage to a license is a matter regulated by Article 22, and is different from the cancellation of a license that this article speaks of.
Anyone whose license was cancelled and who wishes to submit a new application may consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative matters and weapons regulations to find out whether his case is among those determined by the Regulations.
Practical example
Bandar's license to carry a pistol was cancelled, and after some time he wanted to apply for a license for a hunting rifle. Under this article, he may not be given a new license for any other weapon unless his case is among those determined by the Regulations.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 21 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
Can I get a new weapon license after my previous license was cancelled?
A person whose license was cancelled may not be given any new license for any other weapon except in the cases determined by the Regulations.
Is the ban limited to the same weapon?
No. The text bars a new license for "any other weapon."
Does the ban last for a set period?
The article does not state a period and refers the excepted cases to the Regulations.
More articles on Cancellation of a Weapon License
- Article 16
The article allows the Minister, based on the requirements of the public interest, to refuse a license application or to restrict or cancel an existing license.
للوزير -بناء على مقتضيات المصلحة العامة - عدم الموافقة على طلب الترخيص، أو تقييد الترخيص القائم، أو إلغاؤه.
- Article 17
The article provides that all licenses issued under the Weapons and Ammunition Law benefit only the licensee himself.
جميع الرخص الصادرة بموجب أحكام هذا النظام لا يستفيد منها إلا المرخص له نفسه.
- Article 18
The article sets out four cases in which a license to carry or acquire a weapon is cancelled, and states who disposes of the weapon and its ammunition after cancellation in three of them.
تلغى رخصة حمل السلاح أو اقتنائه في الأحوال الآتية: أ - إذا تقررت مصادرة السلاح وذخيرته. ب - إذا فقد المرخص له شرطا من شروط منح الرخصة. ج - إذا توفي المرخص له أو
- Article 19
The article sets two cases in which a license to import personal firearms, or licenses to sell, buy, or repair them, is cancelled: death or loss of capacity, and loss of one of the license conditions.
تلغى رخصة استيراد الأسلحة النارية الفردية أو رخص بيعها وشرائها أو إصلاحها في الحالات الآتية: أ - وفاة صاحب الرخصة أو فقد أهليته. ب - فقدان شرط من شروط منح الرخص
- Article 22
The article refers to the Regulations the procedures to be taken if a weapon license is lost or damaged.
تحدد اللائحة الإجراءات الواجب اتخاذها في حال فقدان الرخصة أو تلفها.
- Article 27
The article allows compensation equal to the value of a licensed weapon and its ammunition if it is decided to hand it over to the State in the cases that require this, as the Regulations determine.
يجوز التعويض بما يعادل قيمة السلاح المرخص وذخيرته إذا تقرر تسليمه للدولة في الحالات التي توجب ذلك طبقا لما تحدده اللائحة .
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.