Article 27 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 27 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز التعويض بما يعادل قيمة السلاح المرخص وذخيرته إذا تقرر تسليمه للدولة في الحالات التي توجب ذلك طبقا لما تحدده 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 27 explained in plain English
This article addresses a case in which it is decided to hand a licensed weapon over to the State. In that case compensation may be paid equal to the value of the weapon and its ammunition.
The elements of the rule, as stated in the text:
- Subject of compensation: the licensed weapon and its ammunition; the article speaks of a licensed weapon.
- Reason for compensation: that it is decided to hand the weapon over to the State.
- Amount of compensation: the equivalent of the value of the weapon and its ammunition.
- Cases: the cases that require handing over, as the Implementing Regulations determine.
It is important to note that the text says "compensation may be paid," meaning compensation is permitted and is not stated to be mandatory in all cases. The article also does not itself specify the cases in which handing over is required, the method of estimating the value, or the procedures for paying compensation; it refers to the Regulations.
Like Article 26, this article concerns the licensed weapon: Article 26 allows the Minister to authorize someone who holds a licensed weapon to travel with it outside the Kingdom if the country he is headed to and the countries he passes through permit him. Article 28 prohibits practicing the profession of repairing firearms of all types except with a license from the Minister.
Anyone for whom it is decided to hand over his licensed weapon to the State and who wishes to know whether he is entitled to compensation may consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative matters (the Board of Grievances).
Practical example
It is decided that Youssef must hand his licensed rifle and its ammunition over to the State in one of the cases that require this. Under this article, he may be compensated with the equivalent of the value of the rifle and its ammunition, as the Regulations determine.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 27 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
Will I be compensated if I hand my licensed weapon over to the State?
Compensation equal to the value of the licensed weapon and its ammunition may be paid if it is decided to hand it over to the State in the cases that require this, as the Regulations determine.
Is compensation for a handed-over weapon always mandatory?
The text says "compensation may be paid" and does not state that it is mandatory in all cases.
Does the compensation include ammunition?
Yes. Compensation is the equivalent of the value of the licensed weapon and its ammunition.
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 21
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.
لا يجوز إعطاء الشخص الملغى ترخيصه أي ترخيص جديد على أي سلاح آخر إلا في الحالات التي تحددها اللائحة .
- 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.
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.