A new executive decree has been published in the latest issue of the Official Gazette, defining the conditions and procedures for practicing the profession of “gunsmith” regarding the sale, acquisition, import, and repair of weapons and ammunition, along with associated regulatory measures.
Article 21 of the decree stipulates that the acquisition of weapons, their components, ammunition, and ammunition components is subject to a license issued by the regionally competent Wali (Governor), following the favorable opinion of the provincial security committee. The acquisition license application, prepared according to the model attached to the decree, must be submitted to the provincial regulation department at the place of business in exchange for a receipt, accompanied by several documents, including a copy of a valid gunsmith license as per Article 22.
Article 23 in Issue No. 12 of the Official Gazette clarifies that the acquisition license is prepared within a period not exceeding thirty days from the date of application submission. It is issued by the Wali with a validity of six months from the date of delivery, with the requirement to justify any rejection and the possibility of appealing it within legal deadlines.
Article 24 specifies the entities from which a “gunsmith” can acquire items, including specialized institutions under the Ministry of National Defense, legally licensed gunsmiths, or natural or legal persons licensed for possession, in addition to acquisitions through public auctions in accordance with current legislation and regulations.
Regarding imports, Article 25 states that the importation of weapons, their components, ammunition, and ammunition components is subject to a license issued by the Minister of Interior. Import licenses for certain categories are only granted after the approval of the Minister of National Defense. The import license is issued within a maximum of thirty days from the date of application, with a validity period of twelve months, while allowing the concerned party the right to appeal in case of rejection, with notification of the appeal results within a maximum of fifteen days.
In the same context, Article 28 allows the import license to cover the transport of weapons and ammunition to the place of business without the possibility of dividing the imported quantities.
Article 29 obligates the “gunsmith” to acquire gunpowder used in assembling ammunition from specialized institutions under the Ministry of National Defense, with the necessity of respecting the storage and usage conditions stipulated by regulation regarding authorized quantities and preservation conditions.
Concerning sales and repairs, Article 30 confirms that these activities are only carried out for the benefit of legally authorized natural or legal persons, based on the presentation of an acquisition, possession, or carry permit issued by the competent authority.
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