Article 42 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 42 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 أو عن عمليات تهريب لها ولم يعلم السلطات المختصة بذلك.
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 42 explained in plain English
This article imposes a duty on anyone who has information about serious weapons crimes: informing the competent authorities. It does not punish the trade or smuggling themselves, but keeping silent about them.
To apply the article, two matters must be proven:
- That the person has information about unlicensed trade in weapons or about their smuggling.
- That he did not inform the competent authorities of it.
The penalty is imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months and a fine of not more than SAR 3,000, or either of these two penalties.
The article sets no deadline for reporting or any particular method for it, and by its text it covers only unlicensed trade and smuggling, not other violations such as individual possession without a license.
This article comes after Article 41, which punishes violations such as using a licensed weapon for a purpose other than the one it is licensed for and transporting unlicensed weapons or helping in that. It is followed by Article 43, which sets a fine not exceeding SAR 2,000 for violations such as failing to report the loss or theft of a weapon. To learn the legal position in a particular case, one may consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal matters.
Practical example
An employee in Dammam learned that an acquaintance was selling weapons without a license and did not report him. If this is proven, he may be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months and a fine of not more than SAR 3,000, or either, because the Law requires anyone who has this information to inform the competent authorities.
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 42 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
Is not reporting a weapons smuggler a crime?
Yes. Anyone proven to have information about weapons smuggling or unlicensed trade in weapons and who did not inform the competent authorities is punished.
What is the penalty for concealing weapons trade?
Imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months and a fine of not more than SAR 3,000, or either of these two penalties.
More articles on Violations in Using a Licensed Weapon
- Article 41
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.
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 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.