Related documents
- Is amended by Combating of Domestic Violence Act, 2003
- Is amended by General Law Amendment Act, 2005
- Is commenced by Commencement of the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996
Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996
Act 7 of 1996
- Published in Government Gazette 1338 on 26 June 1996
- Assented to on 11 June 1996
- Commenced on 1 April 1998 by Commencement of the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996
- [This is the version of this document from 28 December 2005 and includes any amendments published up to 22 March 2024.]
- [Amended by Combating of Domestic Violence Act, 2003 (Act 4 of 2003) on 17 November 2003]
- [Amended by General Law Amendment Act, 2005 (Act 14 of 2005) on 28 December 2005]
PRELIMINARY
1. Definitions
Chapter 1
LICENCES TO POSSESS ARMS
2. Prohibition of possession of arms without licence
Subject to sections 1(4), 3(6), 4, 8, 24, 34(2) and 44, no person shall have any arm in his or her possession unless he or she holds a licence to possess such arm.3. General provisions relating to applications for licences to possess arms and the issuing of such licences
4. Special provisions relating to possession of arms, ammunition and armaments
5. Duration of licence
Any licence to possess an arm shall remain valid until -6. Issue of copy of licence
The Inspector-General may, on application by any person holding a licence to possess an arm and on payment of the prescribed fee, issue to such person a copy of such licence if the Inspector-General is satisfied that such licence has been lost and cannot be found or has become illegible or has been stolen or destroyed.7. No arm without identification marks to be licensed
8. Possession of arms with consent of licence holder permitted in certain circumstances
9. Production of arm and licence, permission, permit or authority
Chapter 2
DECLARATION OF UNFITNESS
10. Declaration of persons to be unfit to possess arms
11. Effect of declaration of unfitness
12. Disposal of arms in possession of or taken from person dealt with under section 10
13. Proof of declaration of unfitness
A certificate purporting to have been signed by the clerk of a magistrate’s court or a registrar of the High Court of Namibia, stating that a person mentioned in the certificate has under this Chapter been declared to be unfit to possess an arm on a date for a period so mentioned, shall upon its mere production by any person be prima facie proof of the facts stated in such certificate.Chapter 3
DEALERS IN ARMS AND AMMUNITION
14. Prohibition of dealing in arms and ammunition without licence
15. Licences to deal in arms and ammunition
16. Temporary licences to exhibit and to deal in arms and ammunition
On application in the prescribed manner and payment of the prescribed application fee by a licensed dealer, the Inspector-General may, on payment of the prescribed licence fee, issue to such a dealer a temporary licence to exhibit and to deal in arms and ammunition on the premises specified in the temporary licence, and subject to such conditions as may be so specified.17. Transfer of dealer’s licence
18. Change of licensed premises
On application in the prescribed manner by the holder of a licence to deal in arms and ammunition, or of a licence to deal in ammunition, on the premises specified in the licence in question, the Inspector-General may in his or her discretion, but subject to the directions of the Minister and to section 19, endorse such licence without charge, so as to render it valid for other premises instead of the premises so specified, subject to such conditions as the Inspector-General may endorse thereon.19. Appeal to Minister
Whenever the Inspector-General has refused an application made under this Chapter, or has in granting such application imposed any conditions, the applicant may, within 60 days from the date of such refusal or imposition of conditions, as the case may be, appeal to the Minister, who may confirm the refusal or conditions, or direct the Inspector-General to grant the application subject to such conditions as the Minister may determine.20. Registers to be kept, documents to be retained and returns to be rendered by licensed dealers
21. Inspection or licensed dealers’ registers and stocks
Any licensed dealer shall at all reasonable times at the request of any member of the Police produce for inspection by such member, any register kept or document retained by such dealer in terms of section 20 and any arms and ammunition he or she may have in stock.Chapter 4
IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION
22. Prohibition of importation or exportation of arms and ammunition without permit
23. Issue of permit for importation or exportation of arms or ammunition
24. Certain import permits temporarily deemed to be licences to possess arms
A permit issued under section 23 for the importation of an arm by any person having such arm in his or her possession on entering Namibia, shall for such period as the staff member contemplated in that section may, in accordance with the directions of the Minister, endorse on the permit, be deemed to be a licence to possess an arm.Chapter 5
MANUFACTURE OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION
25. Prohibition of unauthorized manufacture of arms
No person shall manufacture arms except -26. Prohibition of unauthorized manufacture of ammunition
27. Issue of permits for manufacture of arms or ammunition
28. Inspection of arms or ammunition factories
Any member of the Police or other person authorized by the Minister may at all reasonable times enter any arms or ammunition factory or premises contemplated in section 27(3) and carry out such inspection as he or she may consider necessary in order to ascertain whether the requirements of a permit issued under section 27 have been or are being complied with.Chapter 6
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
29. Prohibition of unauthorized importation, supply or possession of certain firearms or classes of articles
30. Powers which Minister may exercise in the interests of public safety or the maintenance of law and order or in order to prohibit or restrict Importation or possession of certain articles
31. Exemption from certain provisions of laws relating to explosives
The prohibition contained in the Explosives Act, 1956 (Act 26 of 1956), against selling or dealing in or the importation of explosives without being in possession of or obtaining any licence, permit or authority, shall not apply to the sale of or dealing in or importation of ammunition in accordance with a dealer’s licence or any permit or authority granted under this Act.32. Prohibition of unauthorized supply of arms or ammunition
33. Prohibition of possession of ammunition in certain circumstances
Subject to sections 34(2) and 44, no person shall be in possession of any ammunition unless he or she is in lawful possession of an arm capable of firing that ammunition.34. Possession of arms or ammunition by juveniles
35. Loss of arms to be reported to Police
Whenever any arm in the possession of any person is lost, stolen or destroyed, he or she shall within 7 days after having become aware of the loss, theft or destruction of the arm, report such loss, theft or destruction in person or through a person authorized thereto by him or her, to a member of the Police on duty at a police station, and shall, at the request of such member furnish him or her with such particulars relating to the arm, the place where and the time when it was lost, stolen or destroyed as such member may require.36. Requirements as to arms in public places
37. Destruction of arms
An arm shall only be destroyed with the written consent of the Inspector-General and in the manner he or she may determine.38. Offences and penalties
39. Presumptions
40. Fingerprints
Any person who, for the first time makes an application in terms of this Act, shall have his or her fingerprints taken in the prescribed manner if the Inspector-General deems it necessary.41. Register to be kept by Inspector-General and proof of entries in register
42. Regulations
43. Delegation
44. Savings
45. Repeal of laws and transitional provisions
46. Short title and commencement
History of this document
28 December 2005 this version
Amended by
General Law Amendment Act, 2005
17 November 2003
Amended by
Combating of Domestic Violence Act, 2003
01 April 1998
Commenced by
Commencement of the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996
26 June 1996
11 June 1996
Assented to
Subsidiary legislation
Title | Numbered title |
---|---|
General Regulations, 1998 | Government Notice 67 of 1998 |
Cited documents 6
Legislation 6
Documents citing this one 170
Gazette 24
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 1996-06-26 number 1338
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 1998-04-01 number 1830
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 1999-11-01 number 2224
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2000-04-15 number 2312
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2002-10-04 number 2825
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2003-06-24 number 3002
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2004-11-30 number 3333
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2004-12-24 number 3358
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2004-12-31 number 3363
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2005-11-04 number 3530
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2005-12-28 number 3565
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2008-06-12 number 4063
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2009-07-13 number 4291
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2010-08-20 number 4547
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2013-09-24 number 5294
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2013-10-17 number 5319
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2013-10-21 number 5322
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2016-06-24 number 6047
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2016-08-25 number 6103
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2016-11-15 number 6172
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2021-08-30 number 7616
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2022-06-01 number 7816
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2022-11-29 number 7964
- Namibia Government Gazette dated 2023-10-13 number 8232
Judgment 139
- Awaseb v S (Bail Application Ruling) (8 of 2017) [2018] NAHCMD 128 (16 May 2018)
- Babi v S (HC-MD-CRI-APP-CAL-2023/00046) [2023] NAHCMD 810 (8 December 2023)
- Beyer v S (2) (Appeal Judgment) (CA 134 of 2017) [2017] NAHCMD 267 (15 September 2017)
- Diekmann v Free Press Namibia (Pty) Ltd and Others (HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL-2020/04201) [2023] NAHCMD 338 (22 June 2023)
- Esau and Another v S (CC 06/2021) [2023] NAHCMD 819 (12 December 2023)
- Gideon and Another v S; S v Gideon and Another (CA 11 of 2017) [2017] NAHCNLD 122 (8 December 2017)
- Government of the Republic of Namibia and Others v Mwilima and Others (SA 29 of 2001) [2002] NASC 8 (7 June 2002)
- Hangue v S (29 of 2003) [2015] NASC 33 (15 December 2015)
- Iimene v The Minister: Ministry of Safety and Security (HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL 4207 of 2018) [2020] NAHCMD 121 (26 March 2020)
- Lang v S (CA 53 of 2013) [2013] NAHCMD 248 (22 August 2013)
- Lang v S (CA 53 of 2013) [2013] NAHCMD 342 (18 November 2013)
- Lifumbela and Others v S (SA 25 of 2016) [2021] NASC 56 (22 December 2021)
- Makanga and Another v S (HC-MD-CRI-APP-CAL-2023/00007) [2023] NAHCMD 808 (8 December 2023)
- Maletzky v Zaaluka ; Maletzky v Mariekie De Klerk t/a Hope Village (492 of 2012) [2013] NAHCMD 343 (19 November 2013)
- Moshana v S (CA 63 of 2013) [2014] NAHCMD 87 (14 March 2014)
- Namibia Grape Growers and Exporters Association and Others v Ministry of Mines and Energy and Others (SA 14 of 2002) [2004] NASC 6 (25 November 2004)
- Nghivali v S (42 of 2016) [2017] NAHCNLD 55 (15 June 2017)
- Nhinda-Tjiriange v S (CC 40 of 2007) [2011] NAHC 124 (20 April 2011)
- S v Absalom (2) (112 of 2016) [2017] NAHCMD 251 (4 September 2017)
- S v Appolus (CA 32 of 2012) [2013] NAHCMD 37 (12 February 2013)
- S v Awaseb (1) (CC 8 of 2017) [2018] NAHCMD 310 (27 September 2018)
- S v Awaseb (2) (CC 8 of 2017) [2019] NAHCMD 31 (21 February 2019)
- S v Brandit (CRIMINAL 11 of 2014) [2014] NAHCMD 91 (19 March 2014)
- S v Bumes (CC 1 of 2020) [2022] NAHCNLD 123 (18 November 2022)
- S v Dausab (1) (Judgment : bail application) (CC 38 of 2009) [2010] NAHC 122 (15 September 2010)
- S v Dausab (4) (CC 38 of 2009) [2017] NAHCMD 19 (31 January 2017)
- S v Dausab (5) (Verdict) (CC 38 of 2009) [2017] NAHCMD 105 (3 April 2017)
- S v Dericus (19 of 2012) [2012] NAHC 43 (29 February 2012)
- S v Ditshabue and Others (CA 96 of 2010) [2013] NAHCMD 132 (12 April 2013)
- S v Elago (CR 52 of 2022) [2022] NAHCNLD 101 (29 September 2022)
- S v Elifas (HC-MD-CRIMINALI-APP-CAL 72 of 2018) [2019] NAHCMD 249 (19 July 2019)
- S v Emmanuel (CR 28 /2023) [2023] NAHCNLD 81 (14 August 2023)
- S v Erwin (CC 25/2022) [2023] NAHCMD 522 (23 August 2023)
- S v Eusebio (CRIMINAL 88 of 2018) [2018] NAHCMD 344 (31 October 2018)
- S v Farmer (1) (CC 6 of 2010) [2013] NAHCMD 95 (11 April 2013)
- S v Fikameni (CRIMINAL 31 of 2008) [2008] NAHC 39 (23 April 2008)
- S v Fillemon (6) (CRIMINAL 51 of 2016) [2016] NAHCMD 270 (15 September 2016)
- S v Gariseb (10) (Appeal Judgment) (HC-MD-CRI-APP-CAL 83 of 2019) [2020] NAHCMD 300 (20 July 2020)
- S v Gawabab (CRIMINAL 56 of 2010) [2010] NAHC 107 (27 September 2010)
- S v Gowaseb (7) (HC-MD-CRIMINALI-APP-CALL 21 of 2018) [2018] NAHCMD 369 (20 November 2018)
- S v Haimene (CC 14/2021) [2023] NAHCNLD 71 (3 August 2023)
- S v Haipinge (1) (83 of 2012) [2012] NAHC 258 (9 October 2012)
- S v Hamaseb (Review Judgment) (16 of 2018) [2018] NAHCMD 47 (5 March 2018)
- S v Hambeka (CRIMINAL 70 of 2017) [2017] NAHCMD 347 (4 December 2017)
- S v Hamukoto (1) (CRIMINAL 70 of 2007) [2007] NAHC 116 (6 June 2007)
- S v Hituamata (1) (CC 9 of 2015) [2017] NAHCMD 45 (24 February 2017)
- S v Hituamata (2) (CC 9 of 2015) [2017] NAHCMD 106 (4 April 2017)
- S v Iipinge (5) (6 of 2015) [2018] NAHCNLD 28 (9 March 2018)
- S v Isack (CRIMINAL 14 of 2020) [2021] NAHCNLD 44 (10 May 2021)
- S v Iyambo and Others (CRIMINAL 10 of 2011) [2011] NAHC 116 (13 April 2011)
- S v Jackson and Others (2) (CC 3 of 2011) [2013] NAHCMD 288 (17 October 2013)
- S v Jason and Another (1) (SA 15 of 2007) [2008] NASC 8 (14 July 2008)
- S v Kadila and Others (1) (CC 89 of 1999) [1999] NAHC 17 (9 November 1999)
- S v Kadila and Others (2) (SA 5 of 2000) [2001] NASC 4 (9 October 2001)
- S v Kake (CRIMINAL 135 of 2007) [2007] NAHC 70 (7 September 2007)
- S v Kalunga (CC 6 of 2014) [2019] NAHCNLD 35 (29 March 2019)
- S v Kamati (3) [2017] NAHCNLD 114 (2 November 2017)
- S v Kambahe (CRIMINAL 79 of 2013) [2013] NAHCMD 337 (15 November 2013)
- S v Kamenye (CRIMINAL 9 of 2019) [2019] NAHCNLD 31 (26 March 2019)
- S v Kapelema (CR 61 of 2022) [2022] NAHCNLD 119 (3 November 2022)
- S v Karirao (1) (CC 18 of 2010) [2010] NAHC 192 (18 November 2010)
- S v Kashawa (CC 9 of 2013) [2016] NAHCMD 162 (6 July 2016)
- S v Katema (CRIMINAL 62 of 2013) [2013] NAHCMD 293 (18 October 2013)
- S v Kayawala (CRIMINAL 62 of 2017) [2017] NAHCMD 313 (2 November 2017)
- S v Khaxab and Another (2) (2 of 2017) [2017] NAHCMD 133 (11 May 2017)
- S v Khaxab and Another (3) (2 of 2015) [2017] NAHCMD 182 (7 July 2017)
- S v Khoaseb (5 of 2011) [2012] NAHC 78 (9 March 2012)
- S v Kiimba (75 of 2013) [2015] NASC 23 (26 October 2015)
- S v Lichtenstrasser (CC 9 of 2020) [2022] NAHCMD 657 (5 December 2022)
- S v Lichtenstrasser (CC 9/2020) [2023] NAHCMD 696 (2 November 2023)
- S v Lionga (CC 14/2022) [2024] NAHCNLD 17 (9 February 2024)
- S v Lionga (CC 14/2022) [2024] NAHCNLD 3 (18 January 2024)
- S v Malumo and Others (16) (CC 32 of 2001) [2013] NAHCMD 33 (11 February 2013)
- S v Malumo and Others ; In Re: Ndala and Others v S and Others (2) (CC 32 of 2001) [2013] NAHCMD 262 (19 September 2013)
- S v Marcus and Another (CC 19 of 2013) [2015] NAHCMD 177 (8 March 2015)
- S v Mathias (1) [2019] NAHCMD 530 (5 December 2019)
- S v Mbalulu (24 of 2012) [2012] NAHC 284 (31 October 2012)
- S v Mbangu and Others (CR 24 of 2022) [2022] NAHCMD 174 (5 April 2022)
- S v Mensah (1) [2020] NAHCMD 236 (19 June 2020)
- S v Mensah (2) [2020] NAHCMD 256 (25 June 2020)
- S v Muharukua (2) [2020] NAHCNLD 65 (8 June 2020)
- S v Munuma and Others (3) (SA 10 of 2010) [2013] NASC 10 (15 July 2013)
- S v Munuma and Others (7) (CC 3 of 2004) [2021] NAHCMD 125 (24 March 2021)
- S v Mutero (CC 4/2020) [2024] NAHCNLD 14 (1 February 2024)
- S v Nakangombe (CRIMINAL 109 of 2005) [2006] NAHC 31 (15 September 2006)
- S v Nakashimba (CRIMINAL 140 of 2007) [2007] NAHC 75 (25 September 2007)
- S v Nandjembo [2020] NAHCNLD 107 (17 August 2020)
- S v Nangolo (4) (CA 45 of 2013) [2013] NAHCMD 294 (18 October 2013)
- S v Naobeb (CR 35 of 2022) [2022] NAHCMD 229 (10 May 2022)
- S v Negumbo (CC 02/2023) [2023] NAHCNLD 83 (15 August 2023)
- S v Neidel and Others (2) (CC 21 of 2006) [2011] NAHC 232 (27 July 2011)
- S v Neidel and Others (3) (21 of 2006) [2011] NAHC 347 (21 November 2011)
- S v Nengongo (13 of 2012) [2012] NAHC 167 (27 June 2012)
- S v Ngumbi [2020] NAHCMD 414 (15 September 2020)
- S v Nguudipalelwa (CRIMINAL 12 of 2013) [2013] NAHCMD 47 (26 February 2013)
- S v Nicodemus (1) (CC 15 of 2017) [2018] NAHCMD 331 (19 October 2018)
- S v Nicodemus (2) (CC 15 of 2017) [2019] NAHCMD 271 (6 August 2019)
- S v Ningisa and Others (SA 3 of 2009) [2012] NASC 10 (13 August 2012)
- S v Ningise and Others (CC 4 of 2002) [2006] NAHC 5 (22 February 2006)
- S v Nkandi [2020] NAHCNLD 62 (5 June 2020)
- S v Onesmus (CA 1 of 2013) [2013] NAHCNLD 22 (22 April 2013)
- S v Panduleni and Others (CC 19 of 2017) [2018] NAHCMD 392 (30 November 2018)
- S v Paulus (5) (Appeal Judgment) (CA 25 of 2016) [2017] NAHCNLD 8 (17 February 2017)
- S v Pienaar (2) (25 of 2012) [2012] NAHC 336 (7 August 2012)
- S v Plaatjies (2) (Appeal Judgment) (CA 125 of 2016) [2017] NAHCMD 74 (13 March 2017)
- S v Roelf (3) [2020] NAHCMD 222 (12 June 2020)
- S v Sakaria (4) (Appeal Judgment) (CA 58 of 2010) [2012] NAHCMD 128 (28 May 2012)
- S v Shaningua (2) (9 of 2016) [2017] NAHCMD 247 (31 August 2017)
- S v Shekundja (1) (CC 19 of 2017) [2018] NAHCMD 374 (22 November 2018)
- S v Shekundja (2) [2020] NAHCMD 339 (22 July 2020)
- S v Shipanga and Another (3) (CC 2 of 2009) [2011] NAHC 91 (25 March 2011)
- S v Shipanga and Another (6) (SA 65 of 2011) [2014] NASC 22 (31 October 2014)
- S v Shuudeni (9 of 2011) [2012] NAHC 238 (7 August 2012)
- S v Shuudeni (9 of 2011) [2012] NAHC 183 (3 July 2012)
- S v Simataa (2) (CC 3 of 2014) [2017] NAHCMD 104 (30 March 2017)
- S v Stefanus ; S v Johannes (CRIMINAL 20 of 2013) [2013] NAHCMD 74 (19 March 2013)
- S v Tection (CRIMINAL 35 of 2021) [2021] NAHCMD 218 (10 May 2021)
- S v Thomas (CR 9 of 2023) [2023] NAHCMD 34 (6 February 2023)
- S v Thomas and Another (CC 19/2013) [2023] NAHCMD 550 (6 September 2023)
- S v Thomas and Another (CC 19/2013) [2023] NAHCMD 680 (26 October 2023)
- S v Titus (2) (Review Judgment) (CRIMINAL 21 of 2010) [2010] NAHC 113 (28 September 2010)
- S v Tjapa (1) (Ruling on bail application) (CC 9 of 2011) [2011] NAHC 201 (13 July 2011)
- S v Tjivikua (CRIMINAL 23 of 2013) [2013] NAHCMD 83 (28 March 2013)
- S v Townsend (CC 19 of 2013) [2022] NAHCMD 193 (14 April 2022)
- S v Uazeua (CC 1 of 2010) [2010] NAHC 202 (12 November 2010)
- S v Valombola (4) (CC 15 of 2013) [2019] NAHCNLD 34 (26 March 2019)
- S v Valombola (7) [2020] NAHCNLD 83 (6 July 2020)
- S v Valombola (8) (CC 18 of 2019) [2021] NAHCMD 105 (10 March 2021)
- S v Van Taak (206 of 2012) [2012] NAHC 206 (25 July 2012)
- S v Vesanenuaije [2020] NAHCNLD 66 (9 June 2020)
- S v Zambwe (CRIMINAL 20 of 2013) [2013] NAHCMD 77 (22 March 2013)
- Shafuda v S (Appeal Judgement) (10 of 2015) [2017] NAHCNLD 29 (7 April 2017)
- Shivolo v S (HC-NLD-CRI-APP-CAL 62 of 2020) [2021] NAHCNLD 32 (26 March 2021)
- Simon v Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL-2021/04250) [2023] NAHCMD 298 (6 June 2023)
- State v Claasen and Others (CC 12 of 2018) [2020] NAHCMD 82 (9 March 2020)
- State v Ilukena (SA 69 of 2019) [2021] NASC 32 (2 August 2021)
- State v Samuel (CRIMINAL 12 of 2020) [2020] NAHCNLD 22 (10 February 2020)
- Tjapa v S (4 of 2015) [2016] NASC 22 (30 September 2016)
- Van Wyk v S and Others (CC 06/2021) [2024] NAHCMD 104 (12 March 2024)
Law Reform Report 2
- Report on Customary Law Marriages
- Report on the Domestication of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment