Article 41 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 41 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of not more than SAR 5,000, or either, thirteen violations, including using a weapon for a purpose other than its license, hunting with a firearm, and lending a weapon.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 واقتنائه في غير الغرض المرخص له به.
ب - استعمال سلاح ناري للصيد ولو كان مرخصا.
ج - حيازته سلاح صيد أو ذخيرته دون ترخيص.
د - السماح لغيره باستعمال السلاح المرخص له به، أو استعمال غيره للسلاح نتيجة إهماله.
هـ - نقل أسلحة أو ذخائر غير مرخصة، أو المساعدة في ذلك.
و - فتح محل للتدريب على أسلحة الصيد أو التمرين دون الحصول على ترخيص بذلك.
ز - مزاولة مهنة إصلاح الأسلحة دون الحصول على ترخيص بذلك.
ح - إصلاح الأسلحة غير المرخصة.
ط - صنع ذخيرة أسلحة الصيد .
ي - تهريب أسلحة تمرين بالجملة إلى المملكة.
ك - تهريب أسلحة الصيد إلى المملكة أو ذخيرتها بقصد الاستعمال الشخصي.
ل - تهريب الأسلحة الأثرية بقصد الاتجار.
م - مخالفة أي شرط من شروط الترخيص بالاستيراد أو البيع أو الحيازة أو الإصلاح.
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 41 explained in plain English
This article brings together a number of violations of medium seriousness, with the penalty of imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine of not more than SAR 5,000, or either of these two penalties. The violations can be divided into groups:
- Misuse of a weapon: using a licensed weapon for a purpose other than the one it is licensed for (a), using a firearm for hunting even if licensed (b), and allowing another person to use the licensed weapon or another person's use of it as a result of negligence (d).
- Possession and transport: possessing a hunting weapon or its ammunition without a license (c), and transporting unlicensed weapons or ammunition, or helping in that (e).
- Professional activities without a license: opening a shop for training on hunting or training weapons (f), practicing the profession of repairing weapons (g), and repairing unlicensed weapons (h).
- Manufacturing and smuggling: manufacturing hunting weapon ammunition (i), smuggling training weapons in bulk (j), smuggling hunting weapons or their ammunition for personal use (k), and smuggling antique weapons with the intent of trade (l).
- Violating license conditions: in importing, selling, possessing, or repairing (m).
Among the most notable is paragraph (b): hunting with a firearm is punishable even if the weapon is licensed. Paragraph (d) holds the weapon's owner responsible if another person used it because of his negligence.
This article comes after Article 40, which punishes possessing a personal firearm without a license with a heavier penalty, and is followed by Article 42, which punishes anyone who has information about trafficking in or smuggling weapons and did not report it. To inquire about a particular case, one may consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal matters.
Practical example
Fahd owns a licensed pistol and left it in an unlocked drawer, and his nephew took it and used it. Fahd may be held responsible under paragraph (d) because the other person's use of the weapon was the result of his negligence, with a penalty of imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of not more than SAR 5,000, or either.
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 41 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
May a licensed firearm be used for hunting?
No. Paragraph (b) punishes using a firearm for hunting even if it is licensed.
Is the weapon's owner punished if another person uses it?
Yes, if he allowed another person to use it, or the other person used it as a result of his negligence.
What is the penalty for possessing a hunting weapon without a license?
Imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine of not more than SAR 5,000, or either of these two penalties.
Does repairing weapons need a license?
Yes. Practicing the profession of repairing weapons without a license is a violation, as is repairing unlicensed weapons.
More articles on Violations in Using a Licensed Weapon
- Article 42
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of not more than SAR 3,000, or either, anyone who has information about unlicensed trade in weapons or their smuggling and does not inform the competent authorities.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز ستة أشهر وبغرامة لا تزيد على ثلاثة آلاف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين كل من ثبت أن لديه معلومات عن عمليات متاجرة بالأسلحة دون ترخيص
- Article 43Amended (1437 AH)
The article sets a fine of up to SAR 2,000 for violations including late renewal of activity licenses, failing to dispose of a weapon after its license is cancelled, possessing an air rifle without a license, and failing to report its loss.
يعاقب بغرامة مالية لا تتجاوز ألفي ريال: أ - كل من انتهت مدة الرخصة الممنوحة له بالاستيراد أو البيع والشراء أو الإصلاح أو التدريب، واستمر في مزاولة العمل المرخص
- Article 44
The article punishes with a fine of up to SAR 1,000 anyone who carries his licensed weapon in places and at times where carrying weapons is prohibited, and refers the determination of them to the Regulations.
يعاقب بغرامة مالية لا تتجاوز ألف ريال كل من حمل سلاحه المرخص في الأماكن والأوقات التي يحظر فيها حمل السلاح. وتحدد اللائحة الأماكن والأوقات التي يحظر فيها حمل ال
- Article 45
The article punishes with a fine of up to SAR 1,000, and a two-year ban on any new weapon license, anyone proven to have lost his weapon by theft or loss as a result of his negligence.
يعاقب بغرامة مالية لا تتجاوز ألف ريال كل من يثبت فقدانه سلاحه بالسرقة أو الضياع نتيجة إهماله، مع حرمانه من الحصول على ترخيص جديد لأي سلاح مدة سنتين من تاريخ تنف
- Article 46
The article punishes with a fine of SAR 100 to 500 for each year of delay anyone who fails to renew an expired carrying or acquisition license, or to report an inherited weapon, within three months.
يعاقب بغرامة مالية لا تقل عن مائة ريال ولا تتجاوز خمسمائة ريال عن كل سنة تأخير: أ - كل من انتهت مدة رخصة حمله للسلاح أو اقتنائه ولم يتقدم بطلب تجديدها خلال ثلاث
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.