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Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000)

Regulations

Firearms Control Fees Amendment Regulations, 2020

Chapter 5 : Licences issued to particular categories of persons

Part 4 : Gunsmiths

51. Conditions in respect of the issue of gunsmith’s licence

 

The Registrar may impose the following conditions in respect of a gunsmith’s licence:

(a) The licence entitles the gunsmith to acquire a firearm and keep in stock any part of a firearm, including a main firearm component, for the purpose of performing his or her work;
(b) the licence entitles the gunsmith to acquire and keep in stock ammunition reasonably necessary to test firearms on which he or she performs work within the normal scope of the business of a gunsmith;
(c) a gunsmith who is employed by another person for the purpose of performing the work of a gunsmith, must within 30 days of such employment or of any change in the continued employment of such gunsmith with the person, notify the Registrar in writing of such employment or change;
(d) if a person has in his or her employment a gunsmith for the purpose of performing the work of a gunsmith, the gunsmith is jointly and severally responsible to ensure that proper control is at all times exercised over all the firearms, ammunition and stock contemplated in subparagraph (a) and (b), that the prescribed registers are properly maintained and that every reasonable precaution is taken against the loss or theft of the firearms, ammunition and stock;
(e) firearms and ammunition that are in the possession of a gunsmith on the authority of a gunsmith’s licence, must be transported only by the gunsmith whose name appears on the licence or by a holder of a firearm transporter’s permit and such transportation must comply with the requirements of regulation 68 (1)(a) to (c);
(f) a gunsmith may not alter or remove the serial number or any other identifying mark of a firearm without the prior written authorisation of the Registrar;
(g) firearms and ammunition may only be test-fired by a gunsmith at an accredited shooting range, tunnel or purpose built bullet trap subject to local council requirements;
(h) a gunsmith who performs work on a firearm as contemplated in section 59(a) and (b) of the Act or who custom builds a firearm must, before the conclusion of the work, notify the Registrar in writing of—
(i) the particulars of the firearm, including the type, name, calibre and manufacturer’s serial number or additional identification number contemplated in section 23(4) of the Act, when applicable;
(ii) the number and date of the issue of the licence in respect of the firearm;
(iii) the full names, surname, identity number or registration number, as the case may be, and physical address of the holder of the licence to possess the firearm; and
(iv) the particulars of the work performed on the firearm;
(i) the Registrar may require proofing in accordance with regulation 106 in connection with a firearm contemplated in subparagraph (h);
(j) during any period when the licensed premises are closed for business purposes all firearms and ammunition, which are on the premises, must be locked in a strong-room or safe for safe custody of firearms which has been specified on the licence;
(k) during any period when the licensed premises are open for business or any other purpose, firearms and ammunition which are not displayed must be locked in a strong-room or safe for safe custody of firearms which has been defined in the relevant licence;
(l) a gunsmith may display firearms on which he or she has performed work in accordance with the provisions of this regulation, in order to promote his or her craftsmanship;
(m) during any period when the licensed premises are open for business purposes firearms and ammunition may only be displayed if the firearms are—
(i) unloaded; and
(ii) in the case of handguns, locked in a display counter or display cabinet that prevents the unauthorised access to the handguns displayed therein;
(iii) in the case of firearms, excluding handguns and firearms displayed as prescribed in subparagraph (ii)—
(aa) rendered inoperable by means of a secure locking device; or
(bb) securely attached with a metal attachment to a non-portable structure in such a manner that it cannot readily be removed; and
(cc) not displayed with ammunition that can be discharged from it;
(n) a gunsmith may not at any time display or exhibit any firearm or ammunition in any showcase or show-window which directly goes out on or overlooks any public street, road, throughway or public place whereto the general public has access, or permit it to be so displayed or exhibited or cause it to be so displayed or exhibited;
(o) a gunsmith may only deactivate a firearm with the prior written consent of the Registrar;
(p) a gunsmith’s licence does not authorise the collection of firearms or ammunition as a private or public collection;
(q) when a firearm is custom built by a gunsmith, the name of the gunsmith as approved by the Registrar, as well as, the additional identification mark contemplated in section 23(4) of the Act, if applicable, must be stamped on the firearm;
(r) a gunsmith may only employ a person as an apprentice to the gunsmith if such person is registered for such an apprenticeship with the Department of Labour;
(s) a gunsmith who has an apprentice must exercise personal control and supervision over such apprentice who performs any work on a firearm; and
(t) Registrar may issue a temporary authorisation to possess a firearm as contemplated in section 21 of the Act to a gunstock maker on condition that the gunstock maker shall not conduct any other work outside the scope of a gunstock maker which work shall not include work contemplated in regulation 50 on any metal part of a firearm.