Article 46 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 46 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 ثلاثة أشهر من تاريخ انتهائها.
ب - كل من آل إليه بالإرث أو الوصية سلاح ناري مرخص به ولم يبلغ عنه الجهات المختصة خلال ثلاثة أشهر من تاريخ مآله إليه.
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 46 explained in plain English
This article addresses two common cases, punishable by a fine of not less than SAR 100 and not more than SAR 500 for each year of delay. The fine therefore repeats according to the number of years of delay.
- Paragraph (a) - renewing the license: a person whose license to carry or own a weapon has expired and who did not apply for its renewal within three months of its expiry.
- Paragraph (b) - an inherited weapon: a person to whom a licensed firearm passed by inheritance or bequest and who did not report it to the competent authorities within three months of the date it passed to him.
The grace period in both cases is three months, after which the annual fine begins. Note that paragraph (b) concerns a licensed firearm that passed to the heir or legatee.
It follows Article 45, which punishes anyone who loses his weapon through negligence with a fine of up to SAR 1,000 and a two-year bar from a license. It is followed by Article 47, which punishes anyone who sells or gives away within the Kingdom weapons permitted to transit with the penalties for smugglers.
Someone who has inherited a weapon and has a question about its status may refer to the competent authority, or consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases.
Practical example
Nasser's father died and left a pistol licensed in his name. Nasser must report the weapon to the competent authorities within three months of the date it passed to him. If he is two years late, for example, he is punished with a fine of not less than SAR 100 and not more than SAR 500 for each of the two years of delay.
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 46 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
What is the fine for delay in renewing a weapon carrying license?
A fine of not less than SAR 100 and not more than SAR 500 for each year of delay, if no renewal application is made within three months of the license's expiry.
What should I do if I inherit a licensed weapon?
You must report it to the competent authorities within three months of the date it passed to you, otherwise the fine applies for each year of delay.
Does the provision cover a weapon that passed by bequest?
Yes, the text covers a licensed firearm that passed to the person by inheritance or bequest.
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 45
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.
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
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.