Article 37 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 37 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 قيامه بتهريبها إلى داخل المملكة 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 37 explained in plain English
This article concerns personal weapons, which under Article 1 are firearms intended for use by one person, such as pistols and rifles, as determined by the Implementing Regulations.
The article punishes two acts:
- Manufacturing personal weapons or parts of them or their ammunition. The text does not require the intent of trade for manufacturing.
- Smuggling them into the Kingdom with the intent of trade.
The penalty is imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years and a fine not exceeding SAR 100,000, or either of these two penalties.
The article becomes clear when compared with those around it:
- Article 36 punishes carrying, acquiring, selling, or buying a military weapon by imprisonment of up to fifteen years.
- Article 38 punishes smuggling personal firearms with the intent of personal use with a lighter penalty: imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to SAR 30,000, or either.
The difference between this article and Article 38 in smuggling personal weapons is the intent: trade or personal use. Anyone facing an accusation of this kind should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal matters.
Practical example
A person in Jeddah secretly brought a number of pistols into the Kingdom with the intent of selling them. This is smuggling personal weapons with the intent of trade, which exposes him to imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years and a fine not exceeding SAR 100,000, or either. If he had brought in a single pistol for his personal use, Article 38 would apply.
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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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 37 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
What is the penalty for smuggling pistols for sale?
Imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years and a fine not exceeding SAR 100,000, or either of these two penalties.
Is someone who manufactures pistol ammunition punished?
Yes. The article covers manufacturing personal weapons or parts of them or their ammunition.
What is the difference between smuggling a weapon for trade and smuggling it for personal use?
Smuggling with the intent of trade falls under this article, while smuggling personal weapons for personal use falls under Article 38, with a lighter penalty.
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 35
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.
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
- 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.