Article 36 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 36 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to fifteen years and a fine of up to SAR 150,000, or either, anyone who carries, acquires, sells, or buys a military weapon or its ammunition.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز خمس عشرة سنة وبغرامة لا تتجاوز مائة وخمسين ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين، كل من ثبت حمله سلاحا حربيا أو ذخيرته أو اقتنى أيا من ذلك أو باعه أو اشتراه.
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 36 explained in plain English
This article deals with direct dealing in a military weapon or its ammunition, without requiring a particular intent such as trade. The mere proof of any of the following acts is enough to apply it:
- Carrying a military weapon or its ammunition.
- Acquiring either of them.
- Selling either of them.
- Buying either of them.
The penalty is imprisonment for a period not exceeding fifteen years and a fine not exceeding SAR 150,000, or either of these two penalties.
Under Article 1, a military weapon includes firearms, ammunition, and equipment designed for military operations such as machine guns, cannons, and missiles, weapons that use radiation, gases, or poisons, and any weapon that does not fall within the other types defined in the same article, such as personal weapons and hunting weapons.
To understand how the penalties are graded:
- Article 35 punishes smuggling or manufacturing military weapons with the intent of trade by imprisonment of up to twenty years.
- Article 37 punishes manufacturing personal weapons or smuggling them with the intent of trade by imprisonment of up to ten years.
Article 36 concerns the carrying, acquiring, selling, and buying of the military weapon specifically, and differs from the penalties for personal weapons. Anyone facing an accusation under it needs to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal matters.
Practical example
Security authorities find a machine gun and its ammunition in a person's home in one of the governorates. A machine gun is a military weapon under the Law's definition, so acquiring it exposes him to imprisonment for a period not exceeding fifteen years and a fine not exceeding SAR 150,000, or either, as the court rules.
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 36 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
What is the penalty for acquiring a military weapon in Saudi Arabia?
Imprisonment for a period not exceeding fifteen years and a fine not exceeding SAR 150,000, or either of these two penalties.
Is someone who only bought military weapon ammunition punished?
Yes. The article covers carrying, acquiring, selling, or buying the ammunition of a military weapon.
Is a machine gun a military weapon?
Yes. Article 1 gives machine guns as an example of military weapons.
More articles on Penalty for Possessing a Weapon Without a License
- 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 39
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to SAR 7,000, or either, anyone who buys a personal firearm or ammunition without a license, or sells either.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز سنتين وبغرامة لا تتجاوز سبعة آلاف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين كل من ثبت شراؤه سلاحا ناريا فرديا أو ذخيرة دون ترخيص أو بيعه أيا من
- Article 40
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to eighteen months and a fine of not more than SAR 6,000, or either, anyone proven to possess a personal firearm or ammunition without a license.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز ثمانية عشر شهرا وبغرامة لا تزيد على ستة آلاف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين كل من تثبت حيازته لسلاح ناري فردي أو ذخيرة دون ترخيص.
- Article 56
The article allows the Minister to suspend accountability proceedings against anyone who voluntarily and promptly reports the unlicensed weapons and ammunition he has and shows readiness to hand them over before they are seized.
يجوز للوزير إيقاف الإجراءات المتعلقة بمساءلة كل من يتطوع ويبادر بالإبلاغ عما لديه من أسلحة وذخائر غير مرخصة، ويبدي رغبته واستعداده لتسليمها قبل ضبطها لديه.
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.