What the Law Says – and What You Should Know
Airguns (also called pellet guns or BB guns) are widely owned in South Africa for pest control, recreational shooting, and training. But many people are unsure whether these weapons are considered firearms under South African Law. Can you buy one without a licence? Can you carry one in public? This article answers the most common questions based on the Firearms Control Act (Act 60 of 2000) (the Act).
Reference to “airgun/s” in this article includes air rifles and pistols, BB guns, airbows whether powered by spring, gas ram or compressed gasses.
Q: Is an airgun or pellet gun considered a firearm in South Africa?
A: Not always. Under the Act, airguns are generally not considered firearms, unless they exceed certain power limits.
Section 1 of the Act defines airguns and firearms as follows:
“firearm” means any –
(a) device manufactured or designed to propel a bullet or projectile through a barrel or cylinder by means of burning propellant, at a muzzle energy exceeding 8 joules (6 ft-lbs);
(d) device manufactured to discharge a bullet or any other projectile of a calibre of 5.6 mm (.22 calibre) or higher at a muzzle energy of more than 8 joules (6 ft-lbs), by means of compressed gas and not by means of burning propellant; or
“airgun” means any device manufactured to discharge a bullet or any other projectile –
(a) of a calibre of less than 5.6 mm (.22 calibre); or
(b) at a muzzle energy of less than 8 joules (6ft-lbs),
by means of compressed gas and not by means of burning propellant;
In terms of the Act an airgun is therefore any airgun with a calibre of below 5.6mm regardless of power/energy at the muzzle and any airgun with a calibre of 5.6mm and above but is manufactured to be incapable of shooting at powers/energy of no more than 8 joules / 6 foot pounds at the muzzle.
Any airgun that exceeds both the 5.6mm calibre and muzzle energy of 8 joules / 6 foot pounds is a firearm in terms of the Act and a firearm licence is required to own and operate those devices. Most commercially available airguns are not classified as firearms, provided they fall below those power thresholds.
Q: Do I need a licence to own or carry an airgun?
A: If your airgun falls below the legal limits, no licence is required. If your airgun exceeds the muzzle energy threshold, it is a firearm by law and must be licenced..
Even if you don’t need a licence to possess the air gun, make sure that you are acquainted of any transgressions according to the FCA to be able to adhere to legal use of your air gun.
Q: Can a 17-year-old own a gun in South Africa
A: No, in South Africa, you can own an airgun at the age of 18. If the airgun is a firearm, the minimum age to apply for a firearm licence in South Africa is 21 years old. There are exceptions for dedicated hunters or sport shooters who may be younger, but they must be at least 18 and demonstrate a specific need.
Anyone under 18 handling an airgun should be under the direct supervision of an adult.
Q: How do I know if my airgun exceeds the legal limit?
A: The energy output of an airgun is measured in joules, depending on the pellet’s mass and its velocity. Most airguns fall below the 5.6mm callibreMost affordable airguns fall between 5 and 12 joules.
The calibre of an airgun must be displayed on the barrell.
Q: What can I use my airgun for?
A: Having bought your airgun, you can use it for a number of purposes including sport shooting, target shooting, plinking, pest control and hunting small game. Plinking at targets such as old tin cans or spinner targets can be useful to teach yourself and even children marksmanship and airgun safety. If you decide to move on to hunting with your airgun, target shooting provides all the challenge you need. In respect of hunting, the following is required:
- You need written permission to shoot;
- You may do so only on private property; and
- You need a valid hunting permit and/or licence issued by a relevant provincial authority including a permit authorising the use of an air rifle for hunting – some provinces restrict their use for that purpose.
It is however illegal to shoot airguns in your yard if you live in a built-up suburb. You may not shoot your airgun on your property if you live in a built-up area but you may do so if you live on a farm or in a rural area with no close neighbours.
Inexperienced airgun owners are advised to join a shooting club with an airgun division and learn from experienced club members how to handle their airgun safely, responsibly and become an accurate shot.
Q: Can I walk around with an airgun or display it in public?
A: You are allowed to carry your airgun in public but it must be concealed if it is classified as a firearm.
However, even low-powered airguns may not be carried or displayed in public in a way that causes fear or suggests unlawful intent. Improper use can result in criminal prosecution.
Q: What offences can I be charged with regarding the use of an airgun?
A: Offences in terms of the Act (these are a few major offences but be mindful of all offences applicable to firearms.):
Although not all airguns require a firearm licence in South Africa, certain provisions in the Act treat the use and ownership of airguns the same as for firearms. Some of these offences listed in the Act which apply to airguns include:
- Causing bodily injury to any person or damage to property by negligently using an air gun.
- Discharging or otherwise handling an airgun in a manner with reckless disregard or likely to injure or endanger the safety or property of any person.
- Having control of a loaded airgun in circumstances where it creates a risk to the safety or property of any person.
- Handling an airgun while under the influence of a substance which has an intoxicating or a narcotic effect.
- Giving control of an airgun to a person known to be mentally ill or under the influence of a substance which has an intoxicating or narcotic effect.
- Point an airgun, whether or not it is loaded or capable of being discharged, at any other person, without good reason.
- Discharge an airgun in a built-up area or public place.
- Even low-powered airguns may not be carried or displayed in public in a way that causes fear or suggests unlawful intent.
- Airguns may be carried on one’s person concealed or openly. Airguns that are firearms must be carried concealed.
- It is an offense to shoot animals and human beings, except criminals and animals which are attacking you.
- Your local municipality may have by-laws that deal with firearms and shooting in general. It is your responsibility to find out from them what those might be.
- Selling, supplying or in any other manner giving possession of an airgun that is a firearm to a person who is not allowed to possess airgun.
- be in possession of an airgun, deactivated airgun, or imitation airgun, with intent to commit an offence or to use the airgun, deactivated airgun or imitation airgun to resist arrest or prevent the arrest of another person.
The offences below apply to firearms, including airguns that are classified as firearms, but not to airguns that are not firearms:
- Failure to lock away an airgun or an airgun in his possession in a prescribed safe, strong-room or device for the safe-keeping when such airgun is not carried on his or her person or is not under his or her direct control.
- Loss of an airgun, or if a person is otherwise dispossessed of an airgun owing to that person’s failure to:
- lock the firearm away in a prescribed safe, strong-room or device for the safekeeping of a firearm; or
- take reasonable steps to prevent the loss or theft of the firearm while the firearm was on his or her person or under his or her direct control; or
- keep the keys to such safe, strong-room or device in safe custody.
Q: What safety measures should I consider regarding my airgun?
A: Airguns are not toys and should be treated with the same respect as any dangerous firearm, used responsibly and by following the common-sense rules set out below:
- Check the manufacturer’s muzzle energy and calibre.
- Never handle or operate an unfamiliar airgun without first reading its manual or ask the owner how to operate it safely.
- Do not expose it in public.
- Don’t modify or upgrade the power unless you fully understand the law.
- Never let a child handle or operate an airgun without direct adult supervision.
- Treat an airgun as though it is loaded and don’t take anyone’s word that an air gun is unloaded but check it yourself.
- Never load an airgun until you are ready to fire it.
- Never fire an airgun unless you are certain that the shot will be safe and check that there is nothing and nobody nearby who might be endangered by the shot.
- Ensure that there is a suitable backstop or pellet catcher to prevent ricochets.
- Never put a loaded airgun down but safely discharge or unload and uncock it first.
- Never store a loaded airgun.
- Airguns must be stored out of sight and separately from pellets.
- Airguns must be covered or kept in a gun case, when being transported.
Q: What’s Firearms Guardian’s position on airguns and legal clarity?
A: While most airguns are not legally classified as firearms, owners should treat them with caution. Firearms Guardian supports clear public education and legal awareness.
Whatever type of shooting you want an air gun for, you should first make sure whether you need a licence for it, if you have a safe storage place to keep it away from children and unauthorised people and that you may legally use it in your surroundings.
The use and possession of an airgun that is classified as a firearm, is covered under our Firearms Guardian policy.
Final Word
Airguns are not classified as firearms in South Africa unless they exceed specific power limits. Most standard pellet guns are legal to own without a firearm licence but airguns are not toys and should be treated with the same respect as any other firearm.
Even if you don’t need a licence to possess the airgun, make sure that you are acquainted of any transgressions according to the Act to be able to adhere to legal use of your airgun.
At Firearms Guardian, we help South Africans navigate their rights and responsibilities with confidence and clarity.
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