Article 5 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 5 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
The article requires the Minister's license to import antique weapons and trade in them, allows bringing them in or carrying them along for collecting, and refers the conditions and procedures to the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
أ - لا يجوز استيراد الأسلحة الأثرية وتداولها بقصد الاتجار إلا بترخيص من الوزير .
ب - يجوز جلب الأسلحة الأثرية أو اصطحابها بقصد الاقتناء.
ج - تحدد اللائحة شروط وإجراءات ما ورد في الفقرتين (أ) و(ب) من هذه المادة.
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 5 explained in plain English
This article regulates dealing in antique weapons, which under Article 1 are old weapons of historical value that, after examination and inspection, are shown to be unusable. It distinguishes between two purposes:
- Trade: antique weapons may not be imported and traded in for the purpose of trade except with a license from the Minister, who is the Minister of Interior under Article 1.
- Collecting: antique weapons may be brought in or carried along for the purpose of collecting.
The article does not leave the matter unrestricted. Paragraph (c) provides that the Implementing Regulations set the conditions and procedures for both cases. So even bringing in for collecting is subject to the conditions and procedures set by the Regulations, and the article itself does not state the details of those conditions.
The wording of this article differs from paragraph (e) of Article 4, which prohibits bringing in or carrying along weapons or ammunition without the Minister's permission. This article allows antique weapons to be brought in for collecting, with the conditions and procedures referred to the Regulations. Describing a weapon as "antique" depends on its being shown to be unusable after examination and inspection, so an old weapon that can be used does not fall within this definition.
Anyone who wishes to trade in antique weapons or bring in a piece may consult a lawyer who specializes in weapons regulations and commercial matters.
Practical example
While traveling, Saad bought an old rifle about a hundred years old to display in his majlis in Jeddah. If it is shown after examination and inspection that it cannot be used, it is an antique weapon, and he may bring it in for collecting in accordance with the conditions and procedures set by the Regulations. If he wanted to import a group of them to sell, he would need a license from the Minister.
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 5 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
May an antique weapon be brought into the Kingdom?
Antique weapons may be brought in or carried along for the purpose of collecting, in accordance with the conditions and procedures set by the Regulations.
Do I need a license to sell antique weapons?
Yes. Antique weapons may not be imported and traded in for the purpose of trade except with a license from the Minister.
When is a weapon considered antique?
Under Article 1, it is an old weapon of historical value that is shown after examination and inspection to be unusable.
More articles on Importing and Selling Weapons
- Article 3
The article limits the import, sale, and purchase of personal firearms, air rifles, and hunting weapons, with their accessories and ammunition, to licensed Saudis in accordance with the Regulations.
يقصر استيراد الأسلحة النارية الفردية والبنادق الهوائية و أسلحة الصيد المعرفة في هذا النظام ولوازمها وقطع غيارها وذخائرها، وبيعها وشراؤها على السعوديين المرخص له
- Article 4
The article prohibits anyone other than the competent government bodies from manufacturing and trading in military weapons or manufacturing personal firearms, and bars importing, selling, carrying, or bringing in weapons except with the Minister's license or permission.
يحظر على غير الجهات الحكومية المختصة ما يأتي: أ - صنع الأسلحة الحربية وذخائرها ومستلزماتها أو قطع غيارها، و استيرادها، أو حيازتها، أو تداولها، أو اقتناؤها، أو إ
- Article 9
The article allows the Minister to license the import, sale, purchase, carrying, acquisition, and repair of personal firearms, hunting weapons, training weapons, and air rifles, with their accessories, in accordance with the Regulations' conditions.
للوزير أن يرخص باستيراد الأسلحة النارية الفردية و أسلحة الصيد و أسلحة التمرين والبنادق الهوائية وقطع غيارها ولوازمها وذخائرها، وكذلك بيعها أو شراؤها أو حملها أو
- Article 13
The article allows the Minister to permit hunting weapons and personal protection weapons to transit Saudi territory, in line with international laws and customs, the laws of the destination country, and the Regulations' conditions.
يجوز للوزير السماح بعبور أسلحة الصيد وأسلحة الحماية الشخصية للأراضي السعودية، بما يتفق مع الأنظمة والأعراف الدولية المعمول بها وأنظمة الدولة المتجه إليها، وفي ض
- Article 14
The article requires those licensed to import personal firearms or hunting weapons, or to buy and sell them, to take all safety measures in transporting and storing them.
يجب على المرخص له باستيراد الأسلحة النارية الفردية أو أسلحة الصيد ومستلزماتها وقطع غيارها وذخائرها، وكذلك المرخص له بشرائها وبيعها - اتخاذ جميع وسائل السلامة لن
- Article 15
The article requires those licensed to import weapons of all types, or to buy and sell them, to keep special records of them according to the forms and procedures set by the Regulations.
يجب على المرخص له باستيراد الأسلحة بجميع أنواعها ومستلزماتها وذخائرها وقطع غيارها، وكذلك المرخص له بشرائها وبيعها، أن ينظم لها سجلات خاصة وفقا للنماذج والإجراءا
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.