Article 35 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 35 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to twenty years and a fine of up to SAR 200,000, or either, anyone who smuggles military weapons, their parts or ammunition, or manufactures them, with the intent of trade.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز عشرين سنة وبغرامة لا تتجاوز مائتي ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين كل من يثبت قيامه بأي مما يأتي :
أ - تهريب أسلحة حربية أو قطع منها أو ذخائرها إلى داخل المملكة بقصد الاتجار.
ب - صنع أسلحة حربية أو ذخائرها أو قطع غيارها بقصد الاتجار.
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 35 explained in plain English
This article punishes acts connected with military weapons when they are done with the intent of trade. The penalty is imprisonment for a period not exceeding twenty years and a fine not exceeding SAR 200,000, or either of these two penalties.
The punishable acts:
- Paragraph (a): smuggling military weapons, or parts of them or their ammunition, into the Kingdom with the intent of trade.
- Paragraph (b): manufacturing military weapons, their ammunition, or their spare parts with the intent of trade.
Under Article 1, military weapons are firearms, ammunition, and equipment designed specifically for military operations such as machine guns, cannons, and missiles. They also include weapons that use radiation, gases, and poisons, and any weapon other than personal weapons and the other types defined in the article.
The position of this article becomes clear by comparing it with the articles before and after it:
- Article 34: if the intent is disturbing internal security, the penalty is imprisonment of up to thirty years and a fine of up to SAR 300,000.
- Article 36: the mere carrying, acquiring, selling, or buying of a military weapon or its ammunition is punished by imprisonment of up to fifteen years and a fine of up to SAR 150,000, or either.
The judge may choose between the two penalties or combine them within the maximum limit. Anyone facing an accusation of this kind should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal matters.
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 35 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
What is the penalty for smuggling military weapons for trade?
Imprisonment for a period not exceeding twenty years and a fine not exceeding SAR 200,000, or either of these two penalties.
Is manufacturing military weapons for sale a crime?
Yes. Manufacturing military weapons, their ammunition, or their spare parts with the intent of trade is punishable under paragraph (b) of this article.
May the sentence be a fine only?
Yes. The text allows imprisonment and a fine together or either of them.
More articles on Penalty for Weapons Smuggling
- Article 34
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to thirty years and a fine of up to SAR 300,000 anyone who smuggles, uses or deals in military or personal weapons with intent to disturb internal security.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز ثلاثين سنة وبغرامة لا تتجاوز ثلاثمائة ألف ريال كل من يثبت قيامه بأي مما يأتي: أ - تهريب أسلحة حربية أو فردية أو قطع منها أو ذخائرها إ
- Article 37
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to ten years and a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or either, anyone who manufactures personal weapons, their parts or ammunition, or smuggles them into the Kingdom with the intent of trade.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز عشر سنوات وبغرامة لا تتجاوز مائة ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من ثبت قيامه بصنع أسلحة فردية أو قطع منها أو ذخائرها، أو ثبت
- Article 38
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to SAR 30,000, or either, smuggling hunting weapons for trade, smuggling personal weapons for personal use, making hunting weapons and modifying their mechanisms.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز خمس سنوات وبغرامة لا تتجاوز ثلاثين ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين كل من ثبت قيامه بأي مما يأتي: أ - تهريب أسلحة صيد أو قطع منها أ
- Article 41
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to SAR 5,000, or either, thirteen offenses, including using a weapon for a purpose other than its licensed one, hunting with a firearm and lending a licensed weapon.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز سنة وبغرامة لا تزيد على خمسة آلاف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من ثبت قيامه بأي مما يأتي: أ - استعمال السلاح المرخص له بحمله وا
- Article 47
The article punishes anyone who sells or gives away within the Kingdom weapons and ammunition permitted to transit its territory with the penalties for weapons smugglers, according to the type of weapon.
يعاقب كل من يثبت تصرفه في الأسلحة والذخائر المصرح بعبورها أراضي المملكة بالبيع أو الإهداء داخل المملكة بالعقوبات الخاصة بمهربي الأسلحة بحسب نوعها.
- Article 51
The article requires aggravated penalties under Articles 34, 35 and 36 where the violator is an employee of the bodies concerned with applying the Weapons and Ammunition Law.
يراعى تشديد العقوبات المقررة في المواد (الرابعة والثلاثين، والخامسة والثلاثين، والسادسة والثلاثين) من هذا النظام إذا كان مرتكب المخالفة أحد موظفي الجهات ذات الع
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.