Article 40 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 40 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to eighteen months and a fine of up to SAR 6,000, or either, anyone proven to possess an individual firearm or ammunition without a license.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 40 explained in plain English
This is one of the articles of the Law closest to people's lives, because it punishes possessing an individual firearm or ammunition without a license, even if the weapon was not used or sold.
The penalty is imprisonment for up to eighteen months and a fine of up to SAR 6,000, or either of these penalties.
Under Article 1, individual firearms are weapons designed for use by one person, such as pistols and rifles, as determined by the Implementing Regulations. Ammunition means projectiles fired from weapons by explosive or air propulsion or by springs.
Penalties are graded in the neighboring articles:
- Article 39: buying an individual firearm or ammunition without a license, or selling either, punishable by imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to SAR 7,000, or either.
- Article 41: among its forms, possessing a hunting weapon or its ammunition without a license and using a licensed weapon for a purpose other than that for which it is licensed, punishable by imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to SAR 5,000, or either.
What matters here is to distinguish the type of weapon (individual or hunting) and the type of act (possession, or selling and buying). Anyone who has an unlicensed weapon, or who faces an accusation of that, may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
During a lawful search of Saad's car, the security authorities found a pistol and ammunition, and he had no license to possess them. This exposes him to imprisonment of up to eighteen months and a fine of up to SAR 6,000, or either, as decided by the competent adjudicating authority.
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 40 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
What is the penalty for possessing a pistol without a license in Saudi Arabia?
Imprisonment of up to eighteen months and a fine of up to SAR 6,000, or either of these penalties.
Is possessing ammunition alone, without a weapon, punishable?
Yes, the text covers possessing an individual firearm or ammunition without a license.
Is the penalty for possessing a hunting weapon without a license the same?
No, possessing a hunting weapon or its ammunition without a license is governed by Article 41, with imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to SAR 5,000, or either.
More articles on Penalty for Possessing a Weapon Without a License
- Article 36
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to fifteen years and a fine of up to SAR 150,000, or either, anyone who carries, possesses, sells or buys a military weapon or its ammunition.
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 ذ
- 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 an individual 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 56
The article allows the Minister to suspend accountability proceedings against anyone who voluntarily reports unlicensed weapons and ammunition he holds and expresses 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.