Firearm Competency
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE!
Apply for Firearm Competency for Hand gun, Semi-auto rifle, Shotgun, and Manually operated rifle.
How to become Firearm competent?
Competency renewal:
* Please ensure all the required fields are completed and documents are supplied (uploaded).
Firearm competency application supporting documentation:
- Certified copy of your official ID or passport
- Certified copy of your permanent residence permit in the case of a non-South African citizen
- Statement Of Results (SOR) for renewals & upgrades
- Certified copy of Competency certificate (when renewing competency)
- Two passport-size colour photographs (with a neutral background) that are not older than three months
Banking Details
Name: Kolskoot-Potshot
Bank: Nedbank
Branch: Bryanston
Branch code: 198765
Account #: 1317052242
Ref: Your I.D. number
FEES
R1500.00 fee for Competency renewals
R200.00 fee for re-print of Certificates or Statement of Results (SoR).
Payable in-store via cash, card, or EFT through the banking details listed here:
PLEASE NOTE: Firearm competency training material and bookings will only be supplied after deposit is received.
Competency renewal form
Complete the form below and submit.
What happens next?
After we receive your POP and uploaded documents, we will process your application and contact you via the details you supplied. We will then contact you and arrange for you to come and collect your D4G (Docs4Guns) Application pack from us and then go to your nearest police station at your soonest convenience to submit your application.
How do i become firearm competent?
- Complete the training
- Assemble your documents
- Submit your application
Complete the course with a certified, reputable Firearm Training Organisation.
Complete the course for the relevant type of firearm you would like competency for. A certified and reputable Firearm Training Organisation like PEXCO TRAINING with an indoor shooting range. Where you can complete all your training and exams for Handgun; Self-loading Rifle; Manually Operated Rifle; Shotgun; or any combination of them, within a few days, depending on how well you can absorb the material.
Get certified
Once you have passed your written and practical exams, you will be issued a certificate and a statement of your results. You then need to get 3 character reference letters. 1 from your spouse or partner, 1 from a family member or friend, and 1 from a neighbour or work colleague. This is where they attest that you are a fit and proper person. Stating you are stable, non-aggressive, peaceful, and do not abuse alcohol or substances. Confirming you are trustworthy to handle firearms, and detailing their long-standing knowledge of you, including their ID number, address, contact info, and how long they’ve known you.
Character References
3 character reference letters: 1 from your spouse or partner. Another from a family member or friend, and 1 from a neighbour or work colleague. Download and send or forward the link for ease of use.
DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE
Submit your application
Take the following to your nearest Police Station:
- A copy of your ID
- Proof of residence
- Completed SAPS form 517 for competency
- Certified copies of training certificate & SoR (Statement of Results)
- Three character references
- 2 recent passport-sized color photos
- R90 cash for the application fee.
Hand it all over to the Designated Firearms Officer (DFO).
IMPORTANT NOTE
In order to qualify, you must not have a criminal record, and the SAPS will take your fingerprints when submitting your application. To ensure a successful application contact PEXCO FIREARM TRAINING & SECURITY to complete your training and assist you in your application process.
Track your application
You will be advised that the application can take up to 4 months to process and that you will be sent an SMS regarding your application status. We advise our clients to check periodically after 3 months has passed, to ensure that you don’t wait longer than necessary. You can get more information on your application on the SAPS Website
Collect your certificate
Once you have received confirmation that you have been approved, go to your nearest Police Station and request a print-out of your certificate. Make a few certified copies, laminate the original and keep it locked away safely at home.
How do I get a Firearm license after competency?
Go shopping!
Use your certified copies to go shopping at KOLSKOOT-POTSHOT. Use your certified copies for submitting a license application for each of the firearms you have bought.
Enjoy your firearm/s!
While you wait patiently for another 60-90 days for your license/s to be approved, you can enjoy your newly purchased firearms at our 4-GUNS facilities and Shooting Range. Where you can have an instructor help you improve your skills, eliminate bad habits, or just practice shooting and become more familiar with your firearm.
Collect your license/s
Like with your competency at the SAPS, check in periodically after a 3 month period on the status of your application. Once you have received confirmation that your license is approved, go to your nearest Police Station and request a print-out of your certificate.
Collect your Firearm/s
Once you have received a print out of your license from the SAP, you can then collect your firearm/s.
Checkout our antique and hard to find firearms.
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Frequently Asked Question
What do I need in order to apply for a firearm license through docs4guns?
All you need to do is click on the ‘NEW LICENSE APPLICATIONS’ button above and follow our easy step process.
Do I need a firearm license for an inherited firearm?
Yes! To own any firearm in South Africa, you have to have a license for that firearm. If you have never applied for competency for the specific type of firearm you have inherited, then you need to apply for firearm competency for that type of firearm, first, and then if approved, you can apply for a firearm license for your inherited Firearm/s.
Is it illegal to keep an inherited firearm without a license?
Yes! It is a criminal offence punishable by law to possess firearms or ammunition without some sort of permit or license. At Docs4Guns, you can safely store your inherited firearm while we help you obtain a relevant license or permit to keep the firearm. Contact us for more info.
How do I qualify for firearm competency?
Simply click on the ‘COMPETENCY TRAINING’ button in our ‘What we do’ section above, and we will guide you through the entire process. Our training packages include all the learning material, limited time in our shooting range, ammunition, training, and the use of our firearms, to complete your competency successfully.
How long does it take to obtain a firearm license?
A successful application can take between 60-90 days, after which the DFO will inspect the firearm safe at your premises. Upon receipt of the DFO’s successful report on the inspection, the license will be printed and attainable from the DFO against a signature on the SAPS 86 Register.
How long are competency and firearm licenses valid for?
Firearm licenses are valid for 5 or 10 years, depending on the firearm’s purpose, while competency certificates are valid for the same duration as the longest linked firearm license, not a fixed term. A competency certificate is linked to the expiry date of the longest outstanding license for that specific firearm type, or in the instance where there is no firearm license for that type of firearm, then the competency is only valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Licenses and competencies must be renewed at least 90 days before their expiration date. Click on ‘FIREARM LICENSE RENEWALS’ above to save yourself some time and frustration with your renewal application.
- Self-Defense (Section 13): A 5-year license for a handgun or shotgun for self-defense.
- Occasional Sport or Hunting (Section 15): A 10-year license for occasional sport shooting or hunting.
- Dedicated Sport or Hunting (Section 16): A 10-year license for dedicated sport shooting or hunting.
- Muzzle Loading Firearm: A 10-year license for a muzzle loading firearm.
- A competency certificate is linked to the validity of the firearm license to which it relates.
- If you have multiple licenses, the competency certificate remains valid until the expiry date of your longest linked license.
- If there are no firearms licensed in the same category, some sources suggest the competency could remain valid for 5 or 10 years from the date of issue, though the linked expiry with the last license is generally the correct interpretation.
Renewal Process
- You must submit your renewal application at least 90 days before the expiry date.
- You will need to complete the relevant forms, such as the SAPS 518(a) and SAPS 517(g).
- You cannot renew your license without a valid competency certificate for that type of firearm.
What personal documents should I have for firearm competency & license renewals?
For both firearm competency and license renewals, you’ll need:
- A copy of your ID
- Proof of residence
- Completed SAPS form 517g for competency,
- Completed SAPS 518a for license renewal.
- Your training and competency certificates
- Three character references for competency renewal
- The original firearm license itself, for license renewal.
- Additionally, you must provide two recent passport-sized color photos for Competency renewals
- And two recent passport-sized color photos for firearm license renewal.
May you own a shotgun and a handgun for self defense?
No, under South Africa’s Firearms Control Act, you can only have one firearm for self-defense, which must be either a handgun or a non-fully/semi-automatic shotgun. You could potentially get another handgun under a different license like sport shooting. You would need separate licenses and competency for each firearm, and the self-defense license (Section 13) allows only one weapon for that purpose.
May you own a semi-automatic shotgun for self defense
cannot get a semi-automatic shotgun specifically for general self-defense under the standard Section 13 license (which allows only a non-semi/auto shotgun or handgun for defense). However, you can license semi-automatic rifles and shotguns under different categories like sports shooting (Section 16) (requiring “Dedicated Status”) or business use.
