Article 54 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
المادة 54 من نظام الأسلحة والذخائر
The article gives the Board of Grievances jurisdiction to hear the cases of violators of the Weapons and Ammunition Law and impose penalties, without prejudice to the committee's jurisdiction under Article 53.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مع عدم الإخلال بما تقضي به المادة (الثالثة والخمسون) من هذا النظام، يختص ديوان المظالم بالنظر في قضايا المخالفين لأحكام هذا النظام، وتوقيع العقوبات الواردة فيه.
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 54 explained in plain English
This article specifies the judicial body competent to hear the cases of violators of the Law, which is the Board of Grievances, which has jurisdiction to hear them and to impose the penalties in the Law.
But the article begins with the phrase "without prejudice to what Article (Fifty-Three) provides," meaning the Board of Grievances' jurisdiction does not affect what Article 53 assigned to the committee. Under Article 53:
- The Minister forms by decision a committee of three members, one of whom is qualified in Sharia or legal sciences.
- The committee considers imposing the penalties provided for in Articles 43 (except paragraph c), 44, 45, and 46.
- Its decisions are approved by the Minister or his delegate, and a grievance against them may be filed before the Administrative Court within sixty days of notification.
The general picture, then, is that the violations specified in Article 53 are considered by the committee, and the other cases of violators fall within the jurisdiction of the Board of Grievances under the text of this article.
It is followed by Article 55, which provides that applying the penalties of this Law does not prejudice any heavier penalty provided for in another law.
Determining the body competent for a particular case is a technical matter, so it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal matters or one who specializes in administrative matters.
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 54 of the Saudi Weapons and Ammunition Law
Which body has jurisdiction to rule in weapons law cases?
The article provides that the Board of Grievances has jurisdiction to hear the cases of violators of the Law's provisions and impose the penalties in it, without prejudice to the committee's jurisdiction in Article 53.
Does the court hear all weapons violations?
No. The penalties provided for in Articles 43 (except paragraph c), 44, 45, and 46 are considered by the committee formed under Article 53.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Weapon Confiscation and Trial Procedures
- Article 48
The article provides that anyone proven to have participated in committing any violation under the Weapons and Ammunition Law is punished with the penalty set for the violation itself.
يعاقب بالعقوبة المقررة على المخالفة نفسها كل من تثبت مشاركته في ارتكاب أي مخالفة من المخالفات الواردة في هذا النظام.
- Article 49
The article applies the Weapons and Ammunition Law's penalties, except imprisonment, to institutions, companies, and any other establishment proven to have violated its provisions.
تطبق العقوبات - عدا السجن - الواردة في هذا النظام على المؤسسات أو الشركات أو أي منشأة أخرى يثبت مخالفتها لما ورد به من أحكام.
- Article 50Amended (1437 AH)
The article provides for the confiscation by judicial ruling of seized weapons, ammunition, and equipment, and of the means of transport in smuggling, and sets what happens to seized items when proceedings cannot be brought or lapse.
1- إضافة إلى العقوبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، يصادر بحكم قضائي جميع ما يضبط من أسلحة وذخائر ومعدات متعلقة بها. وإذا كانت المخالفة تهريباً فتصادر وسيلة النق
- Article 51
The article requires aggravating the penalties in Articles 34, 35, and 36 if 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
- Article 52
The article assigns the investigation of violations of the Weapons and Ammunition Law to the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution.
تتولى هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام التحقيق في مخالفات أحكام هذا النظام.
- Article 53Amended (1437 AH)
The article creates a three-member committee by decision of the Minister to consider imposing the penalties in Articles 43 (except paragraph c), 44, 45, and 46, and allows a grievance against its decisions before the Administrative Court within sixty days.
تكوّن – بقرار من الوزير – لجنة من ثلاثة أعضاء يكون من بينهم واحد من المؤهلين في العلوم الشرعية أو النظامية للنظر في توقيع العقوبات المنصوص عليها في المواد (الثا
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.