Article 45 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 45 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
The article punishes with a fine of up to SAR 1,000 anyone proven to have lost his weapon through theft or loss due to his negligence, and bars him from a new license for any weapon for two years.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 تنفيذ العقوبة.
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 45 explained in plain English
This article makes the weapon's owner responsible for keeping it safe. If it is proven that he lost his weapon through theft or loss as a result of his negligence, he is exposed to two penalties:
- A fine of up to SAR 1,000.
- A bar on obtaining a new license for any weapon for two years, running from the date the penalty is carried out.
The key condition here is negligence. The text ties the penalty to the loss being the result of the owner's negligence, and by its wording does not punish mere loss where negligence is not proven.
This provision differs from paragraph (d) of Article 43, which punishes with a fine of up to SAR 2,000 anyone who learned that his weapon was lost, stolen or damaged and did not report it to the competent authorities. Article 43 punishes failure to report, while Article 45 punishes the negligence that led to the loss.
It follows Article 44, on carrying a licensed weapon in prohibited places and times, and is followed by Article 46, which punishes delay in renewing a license to carry or own a weapon and failure to report an inherited weapon.
Someone against whom this penalty is imposed and who wishes to object may consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases.
Practical example
Sultan left his licensed pistol in his car in a public place with the windows open, and it was stolen. If it is proven that the theft resulted from his negligence, he is punished with a fine of up to SAR 1,000 and cannot obtain a license for any new weapon for two years from the date the penalty is carried out.
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 45 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
What is the penalty for losing a licensed weapon?
If it is proven that the loss through theft or loss was the result of the owner's negligence, he is punished with a fine of up to SAR 1,000 and barred from a new license for two years.
When does the license bar start?
The two years start from the date the penalty is carried out.
Is someone whose weapon was stolen through no negligence of his punished?
This article ties the penalty to proof that the loss through theft or loss was the result of the weapon owner's negligence.
More articles on Inherited and Lost Weapons
- Article 6
The article requires anyone who comes into possession of weapons, spare parts, or ammunition by inheritance, bequest, or any other means to notify the competent authorities within three months.
يجب على من تئول إليه أسلحة أو قطع غيار أو ذخائر - بالإرث أو الوصية أو أي طريقة أخرى - إبلاغ الجهات المختصة عنها خلال ثلاثة أشهر من تاريخ مآلها إليه.
- Article 7
The article requires anyone whose weapon is lost or damaged to notify the competent authorities within one month of learning of the loss or damage.
يجب على من فقد سلاحه أو تلف إبلاغ الجهات المختصة خلال شهر من تاريخ العلم بالفقد أو التلف.
- Article 18
The article sets out four cases in which a license to carry or acquire a weapon is cancelled, and states who disposes of the weapon and its ammunition after cancellation in three of them.
تلغى رخصة حمل السلاح أو اقتنائه في الأحوال الآتية: أ - إذا تقررت مصادرة السلاح وذخيرته. ب - إذا فقد المرخص له شرطا من شروط منح الرخصة. ج - إذا توفي المرخص له أو
- Article 43Amended (1437 AH)
The article imposes a fine of up to SAR 2,000 for offenses including delay in renewing activity licenses, failing to dispose of a weapon after its license is cancelled, possessing an air rifle without a license, and not reporting a lost weapon.
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 46
The article imposes a fine of SAR 100 to 500 for each year of delay in renewing a license to carry or own a weapon, or in reporting an inherited weapon, after a three-month grace period.
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.