Article 47 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 47 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
The article punishes anyone who sells or gives away within the Kingdom weapons and ammunition permitted to transit its territory with the penalties for weapons smugglers, according to the type of weapon.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب كل من يثبت تصرفه في الأسلحة والذخائر المصرح بعبورها أراضي المملكة بالبيع أو الإهداء داخل المملكة بالعقوبات الخاصة بمهربي الأسلحة بحسب نوعها.
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 47 explained in plain English
This article concerns weapons and ammunition permitted to transit the territory of the Kingdom, that is, those authorized to pass through the Kingdom without being intended to stay in it.
If it is proven that a person disposed of them by selling or giving them away within the Kingdom, he is punished with the penalties for weapons smugglers, according to the type of weapon. That is, the Law treats this disposal as smuggling, and the amount of the penalty differs with the type of weapon.
The evident wisdom of this is that permission to transit does not allow weapons to remain in the Kingdom, so whoever sells or gives them away inside it has in effect brought them in without permission.
The article itself does not set the amount of the penalty, but refers to the smugglers' penalties provided in other articles of the Law according to the type of weapon, whether a military weapon, an individual firearm, a hunting weapon or other types defined in Article 1.
It follows Article 46, on the fine for delay in renewing licenses and reporting an inherited weapon, and is followed by Article 48, which provides that an accomplice in any offense is punished with the same penalty set for it.
Given the seriousness of these penalties, anyone facing such an accusation needs to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A shipment of hunting rifles was permitted to transit the Kingdom's territory to a neighboring country, and the person responsible for carrying it sold a number of them to people inside the Kingdom. This sale is punished with the penalties for smugglers of hunting weapons, because the Law treats it as smuggling.
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 47 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
What is the ruling on selling weapons permitted to transit within Saudi Arabia?
Anyone proven to have disposed of them by sale or gift within the Kingdom is punished with the penalties for weapons smugglers, according to the type of weapon.
Is giving away a transiting weapon treated like selling it?
Yes, the text covers disposal by sale or gift alike.
More articles on Penalty for Weapons Smuggling
- Article 34
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to thirty years and a fine of up to SAR 300,000 anyone who smuggles, uses or deals in military or personal weapons with intent to disturb internal security.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز ثلاثين سنة وبغرامة لا تتجاوز ثلاثمائة ألف ريال كل من يثبت قيامه بأي مما يأتي: أ - تهريب أسلحة حربية أو فردية أو قطع منها أو ذخائرها إ
- Article 35
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to twenty years and a fine of up to SAR 200,000, or either, anyone who smuggles military weapons, their parts or ammunition, or manufactures them, with the intent of trade.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز عشرين سنة وبغرامة لا تتجاوز مائتي ألف ريال أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين كل من يثبت قيامه بأي مما يأتي : أ - تهريب أسلحة حربية أو قطع منها
- 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 38
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to SAR 30,000, or either, smuggling hunting weapons for trade, smuggling personal weapons for personal use, making hunting weapons and modifying their mechanisms.
يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز خمس سنوات وبغرامة لا تتجاوز ثلاثين ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين كل من ثبت قيامه بأي مما يأتي: أ - تهريب أسلحة صيد أو قطع منها أ
- Article 41
The article punishes with imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to SAR 5,000, or either, thirteen offenses, including using a weapon for a purpose other than its licensed one, hunting with a firearm and lending a licensed 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 51
The article requires aggravated penalties under Articles 34, 35 and 36 where the violator is an employee of the bodies concerned with applying the Weapons and Ammunition Law.
يراعى تشديد العقوبات المقررة في المواد (الرابعة والثلاثين، والخامسة والثلاثين، والسادسة والثلاثين) من هذا النظام إذا كان مرتكب المخالفة أحد موظفي الجهات ذات الع
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.