ARMS [CAP. 480. 1
CHAPTER 480
ARMS ACT
To repeal and re-enact with amendments the law relating to arms.
15th August, 2006
ACT XIV of 2005 , as amended by Legal Notice 427 of 2007 ; Act VII of
2010 ; Legal Notices 426 of 2012 , 76 of 2013 , 208, 209 of 2015; and Act
XXII  of 2016, Legal Notices 151 of 2017 ,301 of 2017  , 77 of 2018 , 393 of
2018. and 201 of 2020  and Acts XXXVIII of 2018 and XXI of 2020 .
Short title. 1. The short title of this Act is the Arms Act.
PART I
GENERAL
Interpretation.
Amended by:
L.N. 426 of 2012;XXXVIII.2018.2.2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
"airgun" means a short firearm or long firearm respectively, th e
discharge of which is made by means of air or gas compression;
''alarm and signal weapons'' means devices with a cartridge hol der
which are designed to fire only blanks, irritants, other activesubstances or pyrotechnic signalling rounds and which are not c apable
of being converted to expel a shot, bullet or projectile by the  action of
a combustible propellant;
"ammunition" means the assembled components of a cartridge,
namely the shot or bullet, case primer and propellant for anyfirearm, but excludes pellets for an airgun, inert ammunition a nd
ordinance;
"ammunition with expanding projectiles" means any ammunition
that is designed or adapted to expand on impact;
"ammunition with explosive projectiles" means ammunition
where the projectile contains a charge which explodes on impact ,
whether intended or designed for military use or otherwise;
"ammunition with incendiary projectiles" means ammunition for
where the projectile contains a chemical mixture which bursts i nto
flame on contact with the air or on impact, whether intended ordesigned for military use or otherwise;
"antique weapon" means any arm proper manufactured before 1st
January 1946 or such later year as the Minister may from time t o
time prescribe;
"armour piercing projectile" means ammunition for military use
where the projectile is jacketed and has a penetrating hard cor e;
Cap. 9."arms proper" shall have the same meaning assigned to it by
article 64 of the Criminal Code and shall include a firearm as
defined in this article;
"artistic weapon" means an arm proper embellished or designed
in a manner which goes beyond its pure functional requirementsand which has been recognised as such by the Board;
"automatic firearm" means a firearm which reloads automatically
2 [CAP. 480. ARMS
each time a round is fired and which can fire more than one rou nd
with one pull on the trigger;
"Board" means the Weapons Board constituted and appointed in
accordance with article 49;
"collector" means any natural or legal person dedicated to the
gathering and conservation of firearms, essential components orammunition for historical, cultural, scientific, technical, edu cational or
heritage purposes, and who is licensed as such in terms of arti cle 11;
"club" means an organisation that organises and carries out tar get
shooting activities and is recognized as such by the Board and is
licensed by the Commissioner for the purposes of this Act;
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Police;"deactivated firearms" means firearms that have been rendered
permanently unfit for use by deactivation in accordance withCommission Regulation 2015/2403 and any other relevantCommission instrument, ensuring that all essential components o f the
firearm in question have been rendered permanently inoperable a nd
incapable of removal, replacement or modification in a manner t hat
would permit the firearm to be reactivated in any way;
"dealer" means any natural or legal person whose trade or
business consists wholly or partly of either of the following:
(a) the trade, exchange, hiring out, storage or repair of
firearms or essential components;
(b) the trade or exchange of ammunition;
'' essential component'' means the barrel, the frame, the recei ver,
including both upper and lower receivers, where applicable, theslide, the cylinder, the bolt or the breech block, which, beingseparate objects, are included in the category of the firearms on
which they are or are intended to be mounted;
"firearm"means any portable barrelled weapon that expels, is
designed to expel or may be converted to expel a shot, bullet o r
projectile by the action of a combustible propellant, unless su ch item
falls under Schedule III, items 1, 3 or 4.
An object shall be considered to be capable of being converted to
expel a shot, bullet or projectile by the action of a combustib le
propellant if:
(a) it has the appearance of a firearm; and
(b) as a result of its construction or the material from
which it is made, it can be so converted;
"gunpowder" includes gunpowder, blackpowder, smokeless gun
powder and all other types of propellants;
"gunsmith" means any person whose trade or business consists
wholly or in part in making, repairing, restoring, manufacturin g,
altering, modifying or converting firearms;
"historical weapon" means any arm proper used in an important
historical event or by any historical personage and classified as
such by the Commissioner on the advice of the Board;
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 3
''illicit manufacturing'' means the manufacturing or assembly o f
firearms, their essential components and ammunition:
(a)  from any essential component of such firearms
illicitly trafficked;
S.L. 480.01(b)  without an authorisation issued in accordance with
regulation 7A of the Firearms and Ammunition
(Movement in Member States and Other Matters)
Regulations  by a competent authority of the Member
State where the manufacture or assembly takes place;or
S.L. 480.01(c) without marking firearms at the time of manufacture in
accordance with regulation 7A of the Firearms and
Ammunition (Movement in Member States and Other
Matters) Regulations ; 
L.S. 480.01.''illicit trafficking'' means the acquisition, sale, delivery, movement
or transfer of firearms, their essential components or ammuniti on from
or through the territory of one Member State to that of anotherMember State if any one of the Member States concerned does notauthorise such transfer in accordance with applicable European Union
legislation or if the firearms, essential components or ammunit ion are
not marked in accordance with regulation 7A of the 
Firearms and
Ammunition (Movement in Member States and Other Matters)
Regulations ;
"long firearm" means any firearm with a barrel which is more
than thirty centimetres in length or with an overall length of more
than sixty centimetres;
"martial art weapon" means any weapon used in any of the
martial arts requiring registration in terms of the provisions of this
Act;
"Minister" means the Minister responsible for the Police;''museum'' means a permanent institution in the service of soci ety
and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conser ves,
researches and exhibits firearms, essential components or ammun ition
for historical, cultural, scientific, technical, educational, h eritage or
recreational purposes, and recognised as such by the Superinten dent of
Cultural Heritage. A museum open by appointment or access to wh ich
is subject to prior identification shall be considered to be op en to the
public;
"paint ball activity" means any activity in which special purpo se
weapons using compressed air or gas, specifically designed todischarge frangible projectiles containing a colour dye used fo r
target marking or designation;
"possession" shall include carrying, holding, using, controllin g
and, or having effective control of;
"premises" includes any appurtenance thereof;"rare weapon" means any arm proper which is no longer
manufactured and the availability of which is so limited that i t
makes it rare, including patent experimental models, certified as
4 [CAP. 480. ARMS
such by the Commissioner after consultation with the Board;
"repeating firearm" means a firearm which, after a round has
been fired, is designed to be reloaded from a magazine or cylin der
by means of a manually-operated action;
"resident"means a resident of the country indicated by the addr ess
appearing on an official document showing his place of residenc e,
such as a passport or a national identity card, which, on a che ck on
acquisition or on possession, is submitted to the Commissioner or to a
dealer. If a person's address does not appear on his passport o r national
identity card, his country of residence shall be determined on the basis
of any other official proof of residence recognised by the
Commissioner;
''salute and acoustic weapons'' means firearms specifically
converted for the sole use of firing blanks, for use such as in  theatre
performances, photographic sessions, film and television record ings,
historical re-enactments, parades, sporting events and training ;
"semi-automatic firearm" means a firearm which reloads
automatically each time a round is fired and which can fire onl y
one round with one pull on the trigger;
"short firearm" means any firearm with a barrel which is not more
than thirty centimetres long or with an overall length of not m ore than
sixty centimetres with its stock folded or removed if so provid ed;
"single-shot firearm" means a firearm with no magazine which is
loaded before each shot by the manual insertion of a round into  the
chamber or loading recess at the breech of the barrel;
"sporting activity" includes hunting, target shooting, and
paintball activity;
"target shooting" means any sport in which shooting sessions
involving firearms are held at approved indoor or outdoor range s
but excludes hunting, as set out in this Act.
''tracing'' means the systematic tracking of firearms and, wher e
possible, their essential components and ammunition frommanufacturer to purchaser for the purpose of assisting the comp etent
authorities of Member States in detecting, investigating and an alysing
illicit manufacturing and illicit trafficking.
PART II
PROHIBITED ARMS PROPER AND AMMUNITION
General 
prohibition.
. 3. Without prejudice to the provisions of this Act -
(a) the acquisition, possession for whatever purpose,
keeping or importation of the arms proper andammunition referred to in Schedule I shall beprohibited; and
(b) the manufacture, disposal under whatsoever title,
hiring, offering for sale or hire, or the lending orgiving to a person of any of the arms proper listed inSchedule I shall also be prohibited.
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 5
Special 
authorization.4. Notwithstanding the provisions of article 3, the
Commissioner may, in special circumstances, grant a licence forthe acquisition, possession or importation of any arms proper o r
ammunition listed in Schedule I, if in his absolute discretion he
considers that the issue of such licence is necessary in the pu blic
interest or for the protection of life and public security.
PART III
LICENCES
Licence to keep, possess, import or export firearms and 
ammunition
Licence to keep, 
possess, export or import firearms, weapons and ammunition.5.(1) Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Act,
no person shall keep in any premises or have in his possession,under his control or carry outside any premises or appurtenance s
any firearm or ammunition listed in Schedule II, without a lice nce
under this Act.
Cap. 37. (2) Without prejudice to the provisions of the Customs
Ordinance or any other law, no person shall, without a licence or
permit from the Commissioner, import or bring into or export fr om
Malta any firearm or ammunition as is mentioned in the precedin g
subarticle:
Provided that when a firearm arrives in Malta no person
shall take possession thereof without prior approval by theCommissioner:
Provided further that the Commissioner may grant a
temporary permit for the export and, or importation of firearms  and
ammunition as are mentioned in subarticle (1) under suchconditions as he may deem fit.
(3) ( a) An application for a licence under this Part to keep in
any premises firearms or ammunition shall specify thepremises where the said firearms and ammunition areto be kept and the licence shall only be granted oncondition that the approved firearms and ammunitionare kept locked safely and separately within suchpremises and that such fire arms be kept unloaded.
(b) A change in the approved premises shall be notified to
the Commissioner within fifteen days prior to the dateof such change.
(4) ( a) Saving the provisions of article 11(1), a licence to a
person to have in his possession, under his effectivecontrol or to carry outside any premises orappurtenances any firearm, or ammunition underarticle 5(1) shall only be granted in order that the saidfirearm or ammunition be used for sporting activities.
(b) A licence to import or bring into Malta any firearm or
ammunition under article 5(2) shall only be granted inorder that the said firearm or ammunition be used forsporting activities:
Provided that before issuing any licence as aforesaid for the
purpose of target shooting, the Commissioner shall ensure that
6 [CAP. 480. ARMS
shooting facilities according to law are available in Malta for  that
purpose and may moreover restrict the number of firearms whichmay be licensed as aforesaid in the name of any one person:
Provided further that where a licence has been granted by
the Commissioner in relation to a sporting activity, such licen ce
shall be without prejudice to any other requirement or conditio n
imposed under any other law.
(5) The Commissioner may, in special circumstances grant a
licence to any person to keep a firearm listed in Schedule II a nd III
for purposes other than sporting activities if in his absolute
discretion he considers that the issue of such licence is neces sary in
the public interest or for the protection of the life and secur ity of
persons.
(6) Any firearm licensed under this article for target shooting -
(a) may only be carried during a sporting activity in a
licensed shooting range or facility, and to and fromsuch range or facility within such period of time, asmay be prescribed, before and after such sportingactivity;
(b) shall be kept unloaded and secure when being carried
to and from a shooting range or facility as aforesaid.
(7) Where any voluntary offence under any law other than this
Act is committed by the holder of a licence under this Act by m eans
of any firearm licensed under this Part the punishment uponconviction for the offence shall be increased by one to two deg rees
unless the law already provides for the aggravation of thepunishment where the offence is committed by a firearm or armproper.
Licence to keep or carry arms proper other than firearms
Licence to carry 
knives.6. Saving the provisions of article 8 no person shall carry
outside any premises or appurtenance thereof, a knife or cuttin g or
pointed instrument of any description without a licence or perm it
from the Commissioner.
Exemptions to 
article 6.7. The provisions of article 6 shall not apply with respect to
any:
(a) penknife with a blade protruding not more than 8
centimetres from the handle and which may reasonablybe considered to be carried for the purpose of makingsuch use of it as is the use for which a penknife isintended;
(b) knife used by any person for the purpose of the
exercise of his trade or for the purpose of his studies,or for diving purposes where, having regard to thetime, place, and other circumstances, the court issatisfied that such knife was actually carried for suchpurpose.
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 7
Edged weapons 
inside premises.8. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Act or of any
other law, no licence shall be required for the purpose of poss essing
or keeping inside any premises a knife or a cutting or pointedinstrument not being a prohibited weapon in terms of article 3 or
for acquiring such a knife or instrument for the same purpose.
Licence to operate indoor and outdoor ranges
Licence for 
shooting range.9. No person shall operate a target shooting range without a
licence issued by the Commissioner who may issue such a licenceafter consultation with the Board.
Permit for ad hoc 
range.10. (1) The Commissioner may grant a permit in respect of a
temporary ad hoc shooting range on the recommendation of the
Board. 
(2) The Minister may make regulations in respect of the
licensing of ranges.
Licence to acquire, keep or possess antique, artistic, historic
or rare weapons
Licence for 
collector.11. (1) No person may possess for collection purposes any
firearm or arms proper which is antique, artistic, historic or rare,
whether or not considered to be a prohibited firearm or weaponunder Schedule I, unless he is in possession of the necessarylicence:
Provided that no licence shall be issued for item 1 in Part I
of Schedule I unless such item is inert:
Provided further that any person licensed as a collector
under this article may be authorised under licence to keep a nu mber
of firearms, to be prescribed under this Act, as those listed i n
Schedule II, even though they are not deemed to be antique,artistic, historic or rare.
(2) The Commissioner may issue a licence under subarticle (1)
to any person upon the recommendation of the Board, provided th at
such person:
(a) satisfies the requirements of article 23;
(b) has knowledge of the history and characteristics of
such firearms or weapons and of the ammunition usedwith respect thereto;
(c) has complied with such other requirements as may be
prescribed by regulations regarding such knowledge asaforesaid and regarding the secure storage of suchweapons, firearms and ammunition.
(3) Any licence issued under this article shall provide for the
inspection by any police officer not below the rank of Inspecto r, or
by any other police officer as may be authorised by him, of thefirearm or ammunition and of the premises in which such firearmand ammunition is to be kept, which inspection shall be conduct ed
8 [CAP. 480. ARMS
according to law and in accordance with regulations as may be
prescribed.
Aggravated 
offences.12. Where any offence of a voluntary nature under any law
other than this Act is committed by a licensee under this Act b y
means of any firearm licensed under article 11 the punishment u pon
conviction for the offence shall be increased by one to two deg rees
unless the law already provides for the aggravation of thepunishment where the offence is committed by a firearm or armproper.
Transport or 
display of weapons.13. (1) A collector shall not transport or publicly display his
weapon collection or part thereof without an ad hoc permit from
the Commissioner under such terms and conditions as theCommissioner may deem fit.
(2) A licence under subarticle (1) shall not be granted unless
the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Commissioner th at
such transport or display is solely intended for exhibition or re-
enactment purposes, and the necessary safety and securitymeasures are implemented.
Licence to act as dealers in arms proper
Licence to dealer. 14. A person shall not carry out the trade or business of a
dealer without a licence issued by the Commissioner afterconsultation with the Board provided that such person:
(a) satisfies the requirements of article 23;
(b) satisfies the conditions laid down in Part V and
satisfies the Commissioner of his private andprofessional integrity;
(c) where the applicant is a legal person, the
Commissioner must be satisfied of the private andprofessional integrity of its directors, shareholders andany other persons who exercise direction or controlover the legal person. Any transfer of shares whetherinter vivos or causa mortis and, or appointment of
directors shall require the approval of theCommissioner;
(d) has complied with such other requirements as may be
prescribed by regulations or by the conditions of suchlicence concerning knowledge about and securestorage of such weapons, firearms and ammunition.
Register to be kept 
by dealer.
Amended by:
L.N. 426 of 2012.15. (1) Every person licensed under this article shall keep a
register showing the movement of any arm proper and ammunitionand shall, on receiving or disposing of, under any title whatso ever,
any arm proper or ammunition, for whatever reason, make or caus e
to be made an entry in the register specifying:
(a) the name, surname, a legally valid identification
document number, occupation and place of residenceof the person from whom the arms proper orammunition were received or to whom they are to bedelivered;
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 9
(b) the number or quantity of arms proper or ammunition
and the date of their receipt or disposal;
(c) the description of the arms proper or ammunition, and
the type, make, model, calibre and serial number ofany arm proper and any modification thereto;
(d) the licence number of the person to whom the arm
proper or ammunition is transferred.
(2) The licensee shall retain and conserve the register for as
long as he so remains licensed, after which he shall be require d to
deposit the said register with the Commissioner which registershall, on the date of deposit, be duly signed by the licensee a nd
countersigned by the Commissioner or any officer authorised byhim.
(3) Any police officer may at all reasonable times demand
inspection of the register, inspect any premises and stores of any
dealer, and check the entries above mentioned, in order to takeaccount of the stock in hand, and to ensure compliance with theduties and obligations of the dealer under this article.
Licence to act as a gunsmith
Licence to 
gunsmith.16. (1) A person shall not carry out the trade or business of a
gunsmith without a licence issued by the Commissioner afterconsultation with the Board.
(2) A licence under this article may only be issued if the
conditions provided article 14( a) to ( d) have been satisfied.
Register to be kept 
by gunsmith.17. (1) Every person licensed under article 16(1) shall keep a
register showing the movement of arms proper and ammunition andshall, on receiving or disposing under any title whatsoever of any
arms proper or ammunition, for whatever reason, make or cause t o
be made an entry in the register specifying the details laid do wn in
article 15(1)( a) to ( d).
(2) The provisions of article 15(2) and (3) shall mutatis
mutandis apply in respect of a licence issued under article 16(1).
Auctioning of arms proper
Auctioning arms 
proper.18. (1) No auctioneer shall receive for auction any arm proper
or ammunition unless the owner thereof has obtained the necessa ry
permit or licence after having in formed the Commissioner of suc h
an event, given the details of the person carrying out the auct ion
and the details of the auctioning and satisfied the Commissione r
that the arms proper shall be stored or displayed in a secure m anner.
(2) The sale by auction of any arm proper or ammunition shall
be subject to the buyer having or acquiring the necessary licen ce or
permit under this Act.
(3) Where any arm proper or ammunition as aforesaid has been
sold by auction to a person, the auctioneer shall inform theCommissioner of such fact and shall act as a witness on theappropriate form to be submitted by the licensee to theCommissioner for such transfer, licence or permit.
10 [CAP. 480. ARMS
(4) The form shall be submitted to the Commissioner within
fifteen days from the end of the sale by auction and shall cont ain all
details of the proposed transfer and of the proposed purchaser as
well as the particulars of the arm proper or ammunition so as t o
enable their identification, including in particular the type, make,
model, calibre and serial number of any firearm auctioned.
(5) Any arm proper or ammunition that is auctioned shall not
be delivered to the purchaser before he registers with theCommissioner in terms of article 23.
(6) Any arm proper or ammunition left unsold following the
auction shall be returned to the licensed owner and the
Commissioner shall be informed thereof.
PART IV
DEALING AND TRANSFERS IN ARMS PROPER
Dealings in 
transfers.19. No dealer or other person shall sell or otherwise deal in,
dispose or transfer under any title whatsoever any arms proper or
ammunition or keep or expose for sale or otherwise any such arm s
proper or ammunition without a licence or permit from theCommissioner.
Transfer of 
firearms, etc., to unauthorised persons.20. (1) No dealer or other person shall sell, transfer or deliver
under any title whatsoever any arm proper or ammunition toanother person who does not hold a licence from the Commissione r
for such arm proper or ammunition in terms of this Act.
(2) Any dealer or other person selling, transferring or
delivering any arm proper in terms of subarticle (1) shall keep  a
record of such sale and shall inform the Commissioner of such s ale,
transfer or delivery as the case may be within fifteen days fro m its
occurrence.
Prohibition to sell 
knives to minors, etc.21. No dealer or other person shall sell or deliver any knife or
other cutting or pointed instrument to any person who is under the
age of eighteen years.
Temporary transfer 
of arms proper, firearms, etc.22. (1) The Commissioner may authorise the temporary
transfer of any arms proper or ammunition in accordance withregulations that the Minister may prescribe from time to time.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subarticle (1), any
person who wishes to transfer any arm proper or ammunitionconsequent to a change of residence, whether permanent ortemporary, may obtain the amendment of such permit or licenceprovided the licensee gives prior notice of fifteen days of suc h
intended change.
PART V
GRANT, V ALIDITY AND REVOCATION OF LICENCES
Applicants for a licence
Persons who may 
request a licence.
Amended by:
XXXVIII.2018.3.23. Without prejudice to the provisions of this Act, a licence
under this Act shall only be issued by the Commissioner to a pe rson
who:
(a) is eighteen years of age or over; and
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 11
Cap. 217.(b) is a Maltese national or is an exempt person under the
provisions of article 4(1)( b) to 4(1)( h), both inclusive,
of the Immigration Act; or an EU or EEA national
resident in Malta; or
Cap. 217.(c) holds a residence permit in terms of article 7(1) of the
Immigration Act; or
(d) enjoys freedom of movement in Malta in terms of the
Constitution of Malta ; or
(e) is a resident in Malta and who has acquired a firearm in
another Member State, in accordance with the legislationin that Member State, provided that such firearm islegally permissible in terms of this Act; or
(f) is a person as specified in any regulations which the
Minister may from time to time prescribe.
Provided that persons granted an authorisation in terms
of paragraph (e) shall only be granted a Collector LicenceB so long as they do not qualify for a licence in terms ofthe other paragraphs.
Disqualification.
Amended by:
VII. 2010.64;XXXXVIII.2018.4.24. (1) A licence under this Act shall not be issued to a person
who at any time during the five years immediately preceding thedate of his application for a licence has:
(a) been convicted of:
(i) an offence involving violence or attempted or
threatened violence against the person; or
(ii) an offence under this Act; or
(iii) an offence of bodily harm with an arms proper or
other instrument or of taking up any arm properor other instrument against other persons; or
(iv) an offence of theft; or
(v) an offence against the laws relating to the
suppression of prostitution, white slave traffic ortraffic of persons; or
(vi) an offence relating to trafficking in drugs; or
(vii) any other offence that the Minister may by
regulation prescribe from time to time:
Cap. 446.   Provided that, notwithstanding anything containedin the 
Probation Act, for the purposes of this paragraph
a person shall be deemed to have been convicted evenif any of the provisions of the said Act may have beenapplied in his regard; or
(b) has a history of:
(i) drug dependence or abuse; or
(ii) of treatment for mental illness whether in a
hospital, mental institute, psychiatric clinic orotherwise, and whether or not such person wasconfined to such a hospital, institute or clinicwhere such mental illness is associated with the
12 [CAP. 480. ARMS
use by such person of violence, or threatened or
attempted use of violence against anotherperson.
(c) Whenever a person is sentenced to at least three (3) years
of effective imprisonment, he shall not be entitled to apply fo r a
licence in terms of this Act.
Minister’s special 
authorization.(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subarticle (1) a licence
under this Act may be granted by special authority of the Minis ter
in the circumstances provided in those subarticles:
S.L.10.39.Provided further that for the purpose of this article, a huntin g
licence issued in terms of the Hunting Licences Regulations, shall be
considered as a licence under this Act.
Refusal to grant a 
licence.
Amended by:
XXI of 2020.25. (1) A licence may be refused to any person in the interest
of public order or in the interest of the safety of such person  or of
the general public.
(2) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Commissioner
taken in accordance with the provisions of sub-article (1) mayappeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal within seven daysfrom the notification in writing of the refusal by the Commissi oner.
Special qualifications for certain licences
Licence for target 
shooting.26. (1) A licence under this Act or under any regulations made
thereunder for the possession of any arms proper or ammunition for
the purpose of target shooting shall not be granted by theCommissioner unless the applicant satisfies the conditions in P art
III of this Act and proves to the satisfaction of the Commissio ner
that he -
(a) has successfully completed an approved firearms
safety course under the instruction of an approvedqualified instructor or an approved competent bodyand has successfully completed any tests administeredby such approved instructor or competent body; and
(b) is registered with a licensed target shooting club, of
which he is a practising member.
(2) Any minor -
(a) under the age of eighteen years but not under the age
of sixteen years may, with the consent of the personhaving legal authority over the minor, practice targetshooting with airguns, long firearms with smoothborebarrels and muzzle-loading firearms on a licensedrange;
(b) under the age of sixteen years but not under the age of
fourteen years may, with the consent of the personhaving legal authority over the minor, practice suchshooting on such range with airguns only as may beprescribed under this Act or by a firearm of a differentkind referred to in paragraph ( a) as may be prescribed
by regulations under this Act. The Commissioner mayimpose such conditions as he may deem fit for the
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 13
practice of such shooting by such minors.
(3) Any shooting practice by any minor in accordance with the
provisions of subarticle (2) shall be carried out under a licen ce
issued by the Commissioner for that purpose and under the direc t
supervision of a licensed Range Officer who shall be appointed by
the club and approved by the Commissioner after consultation wi th
the Board.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the person
giving his consent according to the provisions of subarticle (2 ),
shall be considered for all purposes of law to assume full civi l and
criminal vicarious responsibility for all voluntary or involunt ary
acts or omissions of the minor in breach of any of the provisio ns of
this Act.
(5) The Commissioner may at any time cancel the licence
issued under this article if the licensee is no longer a practi cing
member of the club.
(6) Any licence issued under this article may contain
restrictions on the movement of such firearms to and from ashooting range as the Commissioner may deem fit.
Licence conditions
Licence 
conditions.27.(1) Any licences issued in terms of this Act shall be
subject to any conditions as the Commissioner may deem fit toimpose, and the licence shall indicate the conditions under whi ch it
shall be lawful for the licence holder to acquire, transfer, ke ep or
possess any firearm, arm proper and ammunition.
(2) All licences issued in terms of this Act are to be
accompanied by a policy of insurance for third party risks asrequired by regulations under this Act.
Licence to keep 
firearms in premises.28. A licence authorising the holder to keep an arm proper in
any premises shall also specify the description of the arm prop er or
ammunition for which the licence is issued, including in partic ular
the serial number and the manufacturer’s mark of the firearm orother weapon in respect of which the licence is issued.
Purchase of 
ammunition.29. A licence to keep or possess firearms for sporting activities
issued under this Act shall entitle the licensee to acquire or possess,
in accordance with the provisions of this Act or of any regulat ions
made thereunder, ammunition for the firearm he is authorised tokeep or possess under the licence.
Non-transferable nature of licence
Non-transferable 
nature of licence.30. A licence issued under this Act shall be personal to the
licensee and shall not be transferable.
Validity, suspension and revocation of licences
Validity of a 
licence.31. Unless otherwise provided elsewhere in this Act, every
licence granted by the Commissioner under this Act shall be val id
for a period not exceeding twelve  months to be reckoned from th e
first day of January of the year in which it is issued and shal l expire
on the 31st December of that year.
14 [CAP. 480. ARMS
Monitoring 
system.
Added by:
XXXVIII.2018.5.31A.  The Commissioner shall have in place a monitoring system
which shall ensure that the conditions for granting of a licenc e are met
throughout the period covered by the licence and that, inter alia ,
relevant medical and psychological information is assessed. 
All licences issued under this Act shall be reviewed at interva ls not
exceeding five (5) years. The review shall consist of a re-asse ssment of
the conduct of the individual concerned, a re-assessment of hismedical and psychological condition and a re-assessment as to h is
participation in a club whenever necessary.
Suspension or 
revocation of a licence. Substituted by:XXXVIII.2018.5.32. Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other law, the
Commissioner shall suspend or revoke a licence issued under thi s Act:
(a) where the licensee is convicted of any offence
specified in article 24; or
(b) where the licensee ceases to satisfy the conditions laid
down in Part V of this Act; or 
(c) where the licencee no longer fulfils the conditions for
the granting of a licencePower of Minister to suspendor revoke licences.
Suspension or 
revocation of a licence.
Added by
XXXVIII.2018.7. 32A. Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other law, the
Commissioner may suspend or revoke a licence issued under this
Act:
(a) without prejudice to the provisions of article 32, where
the licensee contravenes the provisions of this Act orany regulation made thereunder; or
(b) for reasons of public or individual safety to be
specifically recorded and duly reported to theMinister:
S.L.10.39.Provided that for the purpose of this article, a hunting
licence issued in terms of the Hunting Licences Regulations, shall
be considered as a licence under this Act.
33. It shall be lawful for the Minister to suspend or revoke any
or all licences issued under the provisions of this Act, whereconditions affecting public safety arise in any part of Malta.
Grant of temporary licences
Temporary 
licences.
Amended by:
XXII. 2016.2.34. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a
temporary licence for sporting activities may be issued by theCommissioner to a non-resident who:
(a) is eighteen years of age or older; and
(b) produces documentary evidence that he is licensed to
possess a firearm for sporting activities in his countryof residence or is otherwise authorised to keep andcarry such firearm in such country; and
(c) proves to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that he
is in Malta for a sporting activity:
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 15
Provided that the Commissioner may authorise a non-
resident who is under the age of eighteen years but not under t he
age of sixteen years to practice target shooting with airguns, long
firearms with smoothbore barrels and muzzle-loading firearms on  a
licensed range subject to such terms and conditions as theCommissioner may deem fit and the provisions of article 26 shal l
mutatis mutandis apply:
Provided further that the Commissioner may authorise a
non-resident who is under the age of sixteen years but not unde r the
age of fourteen years to practise target shooting with airguns only
or by a firearm of a different kind referred to in paragraph ( c) as
may be prescribed by regulations under this Act. Such shooting on
a licensed range is subject to such terms and conditions as theCommissioner may deem fit and the provisions of article 26 shal l
mutatis mutandis  apply.
(2) A temporary licence issued under subarticle (1) shall be
limited to a sporting activity held in Malta under the provisio ns of
this Act.
PART VI
REGISTRATION OR DECLARATION OF WEAPONS
Arms proper kept 
by museum.
Amended by:
XXXVIII.2018.8.35. (1) A museum or similar institution authorised to exhibit
any arms proper or ammunition shall register such firearms, arm s
proper and ammunition with the Commissioner.
(2) Museums that are to exhibit Schedule I firearms as from the
date of entry into force of this provision, may be required to comply
with the following conditions imposed by the Commissioner. Thes e
conditions may include the same conditions applicable to a Coll ector
Licence A Special as well as any additional security conditions  as he
deems necessary, including the installation of alarms and othersurveillance systems. The Commissioner may also require 24 hour s
surveillance of the premises.
Registration of 
martial arts’ weapons.(3) No person shall keep in his possession or in any premises or
use any martial art weapon unless such weapon is registered wit h
the Commissioner in accordance with such regulations as may beprescribed by the Minister under this Act.
Declaration of 
certain firearms.(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act no person
shall keep in his possession or in any premises or use any of t he
firearms listed under Part 1 of Schedule III unless such posses sion
or intended use has been declared in writing to the Commissione r.
When firearm is 
considered as deactivated. 
Substituted by:XXXVIII.2018.9.36. Firearms shall be deactivated in accordance with Regulation
(EU) 2015/2403 and any other standards issued by the EuropeanCommission. A firearm shall be registered as deactivated only i f a
certificate by a recognised authority or entity in accordance w ith
article 3(4) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2403, or any other relevan t
legislative instruments, has been issued and submitted to theCommissioner.
PART VII
HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENTS
16 [CAP. 480. ARMS
Weapons used in 
historical re-enactment.37. The use of antique weapons or their replicas in historical
re-enactments shall, subject to the prior approval of theCommissioner, be permitted.
Visiting foreigners 
participating in historical re-enactment.38. Visitors to Malta shall be allowed to participate in
historical re-enactments on production of documentary evidencecertifying them as members of a historical re-enactmentorganisation and in its absence on production of documentationfrom the local organising body.
PART VIII
GENERAL EXEMPTIONS
Exempted persons.
Amended by:
XXXVIII.2018.10;L.N. 201 of 2020.39. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Act -
(a) the Armed Forces of Malta, the Malta Police Force and,
or the Malta Prison Service may acquire any firearm foruse within the respective services. no member of the
Armed Forces of Malta, of the Malta Police Force or
of the Malta Prison Service shall be guilty of anoffence against this Act if such person is in possessionof an arm proper or ammunition in the course of hisduties, and such arm proper or ammunition belongs tothe Government of Malta;
(b) the Detention Service may acquire pepper-spray, pepper-
spray launchers and similar equipment designed to spraypepper. No member of the Detention Service shall beguilty of an offence against this Act if such person is inpossession of such equipment in the course of his dutiesand such equipment belongs to the Government of Malta;
(c) the employees of dealers, gunsmiths or museums are
not required to be licensed under this Act for thepurpose of possession, exhibiting, storing, repairing,restoring or maintaining specified arms, firearms orammunition whilst on the licensed, permitted orrecognised premises of their employer but a generallicence for the purpose aforesaid as may be providedby the provisions of this Act or of any regulationsmade thereunder shall be sufficient.
Other exemptions. 40. The Minister may by regulation exempt other persons from
all or any provisions of this Act.
PART IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Relevant provisions relating to firearms, weapons and ammunitio n
Duty of person 
coming into possession of firearms.41. Any person acquiring or coming into possession of a
firearm or ammunition otherwise than in virtue of a licence, sh all
immediately notify the Commissioner who shall direct whethersuch firearm or ammunition shall be kept in the custody of thePolice or of the person giving the notice.
Death of licence 
holder.42. Where a person licensed to keep an arm proper or
ammunition dies, his apparent heirs or a custodian, being a per son
already licensed under this Act and appointed by that person pr ior
to his death, shall be held legally responsible for the said ar m
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 17
proper or ammunition and shall be deemed to be lawfully in
possession of the said arm or ammunition by virtue of the licen ce
issued to the person who had died:
Provided that within a period of two years from the death of
the person who held the licence the heirs or the custodian, as the
case may be, shall:
(a) dispose of the arm or ammunition by transferring it to
a person licensed for the purpose; or
(b) deactivate the arm or deliver up the arm or ammunition
to the Commissioner:
Provided further that when such arm or ammunition is
delivered to the Commissioner, such arm and ammunition shall besold by auction under such regulations as may be made by theMinister:
Sohowever that the Minister may exempt in whole or in part
from the provisions of this article any category of arms proper  or
ammunition as he may deem fit.
Loss, theft or 
damage to firearm.43. A licensee whose arm proper or ammunition, with respect
to which he is licensed, has been lost, stolen or damaged beyon d
repair shall report such loss, theft or irreparable damage to t he
Commissioner within twenty-four hours of discovering such loss,theft or irreparable damage.
Identification 
marks.44. (1) All firearms not being antique, artistic, historical or
rare firearms shall be durably marked with a serial number thatpermits their identification and shall carry the manufacturer’smark.
(2) Firearms which do not comply with the requirements of
subarticle (1) may not be licensed unless they are durably mark ed
according to regulations which may be issued under this Act.
Modification of a 
firearm.45. (1) No person shall, without a licence from the
Commissioner, modify or attempt to modify a firearm in a way th at
the classification of that firearm under this Act or under anyregulation made thereunder is changed.
(2) Any firearm which has been modified in a manner that
changes its classification under this Act or regulations madethereunder without the necessary permit shall be deemed anunlicensed firearm.
Accounting for 
ammunition.46. Any person who is licensed to acquire trade or possess
firearms for use in sporting activities shall keep a proper acc ount of
his stock of ammunition in accordance with regulations made und er
this Act.
Provisions relating to arms proper
Custody of arms 
proper.47. (1) Any dealer or any other person licensed to acquire or
possess any arm proper or ammunition shall keep the same in hiscustody in such a way that it shall not fall into the hands of any
other person.
(2) Regulations made under this Act may provide for the
18 [CAP. 480. ARMS
custody of firearms, arms proper or ammunition.
Search and seizure 
by Police.48. It shall be lawful for any police officer to -
(a) search any person reasonably suspected to be in
possession of any arms proper or ammunition withouta licence from the Commissioner; and, or
(b) seize any arm proper or ammunition which is acquired,
kept, possessed or used in contravention of this Act;and, or 
(c) require any person who is known to have come into
possession of any arms proper or ammunition,otherwise than in virtue of a licence under this Act, todeliver such arms proper or ammunition to him.
PART X
WEAPONS BOARD
Weapons Advisory 
Board.49. (1) There shall be a Board to be known as the Weapons
Board.
(2) The Board shall be composed of not less than nine members
and not more than eleven members who shall be appointed by theMinister for a term of two years as follows:
(a) a Chairman;
(b) at least four members from the organisations which
represent arms collectors, persons knowledgeable inshooting, sporting activities, or hunting;
(c) at least four members, who shall be public officers or
employees from body corporates established by law torepresent the government side.
(3) When any vacancy in the Board occurs the Minister shall,
as soon as practicable, appoint another person to fill the vaca ncy in
accordance with the provisions of subarticle (2).
(4) The quorum of the Board shall consist of the Chairman and
not less than half the members who are eligible to vote, but so  long
as a quorum is present the Board may act notwithstanding anyvacancy among its members.
(5) The Chairman shall have an original vote and where the
votes are equally divided, a second or casting vote.
(6) The Minister may also designate a public officer to act as
secretary to the Board, but such secretary shall not have any v oting
rights.
Functions of the 
Board.
Amended by:
XXI of 2020.50. The functions of the Board shall be those assigned to it
under this or any other law. Furthermore it shall have the powe r to
make recommendations and to give its advice to:
(a) the Commissioner on the importation and release from
customs and the registration of antique, historical, rareand artistic weapons;
(b) the Commissioner on the issuing of licences to bona
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 19
fide weapons collectors, target shooters, range
operators and officers, dealers and gunsmiths;
(c) the Commissioner on the issue of permits for ad hoc
events and re-enactments;
(d) the Minister on prescribing any regulations under this
Act;
(e) the Minister or the Commissioner on any other matter
relevant to the provisions of this Act, whether of itsown accord or as may be referred to it by the Ministeror the Commissioner.
PART XI
OFFENCES AGAINST THE ACT
Offences against 
the Act.
Amended by:
L.N. 427 of 2007.51. (1) Any person who contravenes article 3 shall be guilty
of an offence and shall be liable on conviction:
(a) if the conviction relates to an arm proper, to
imprisonment from three months to ten years;
(b) if the conviction relates to ammunition, to a fine
(multa ) of not less than two hundred and thirty-two
euro and ninety-four cents (232.94) and not exceedingone thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro andsixty-nine cents (1,164.69).
(2) Any person who contravenes article 5(1) shall be guilty of
an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment fo r a
term of not less than three months and not exceeding five years :
Provided that where the conviction relates to possession of
arms proper or ammunition within premises, or where theinfringement is considered minor by the Court, and having regar d
to the quantity or quality of the firearms or ammunition the Co urt is
satisfied that they were not so kept for sale or for some other  kind
of deal or in order to be used unlawfully, the offender shall b e
liable to a fine ( multa ) of not less than six hundred and ninety-eight
euro and eighty-one cents (698.81) or to imprisonment for a ter m
not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonmen t:
Provided further that where the conviction under article
5(1) relates to the possession of a firearm outside any premise s and
the offence was committed because of actual necessity of lawfulself-defence or of the lawful defence of another person, theoffender shall not be liable to punishment.
(3) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with article
5(2), article 14(1), or article 19 shall be liable on convictio n to a
term of imprisonment of not less than six months and not exceed ing
five years.
(4) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with article
9, article 11(1), article 12, article 15, article 16 and articl e 17 or 20
shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable  to a
fine ( multa ) of one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four euro
and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69) or to a term of imprisonment no t
exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
20 [CAP. 480. ARMS
(5) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the
provisions of article 18 shall be guilty of an offence and shal l on
conviction be liable to a fine ( multa ) of two thousand and three
hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37) or
to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both suc h
fine and imprisonment.
(6) Any person who contravenes article 5(6), article 13(1) or
article 22(2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable  on
conviction to a fine ( multa ) of two hundred and thirty-two euro and
ninety-four cents (232.94).
(7) Any person who contravenes article 6 or 21 shall be guilty
of an offence and shall on con viction be liable to a fine ( multa ) of
one hundred and sixteen euro and forty-seven cents (116.47).
(8) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of Part
IX of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall on convi ction
be liable to a fine ( multa ) of not less than two hundred and thirty-
two euro and ninety-four cents (232.94) or to a term ofimprisonment not exceeding six months, or to both such fine andimprisonment.
(9) Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act or
any regulations made there under shall be guilty of an offence,  and
unless a severer punishment is provided for under this Act or a ny
other law, shall be liable on conviction to a term of imprisonm ent
not exceeding three months or to a fine ( multa ) not exceeding six
hundred and ninety-eight euro and eighty-one cents (698.81) or to
both such fine and imprisonment.
Carrying arms of a 
different kind from that specified in licence.
Amended by:
L.N. 427 of 2007.52. Any person holding a licence under any of the provisions
of this Act who fails to comply with the terms of the licence o r who
is in possession of or carries any firearm or ammunition notspecified in such licence shall be guilty of an offence against  the
provisions of those articles and shall be liable on conviction to a
fine ( multa ) not less than six hundred and ninety-eight euro and
eighty-one cents (698.81) but not exceeding two thousand andthree hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents(2,329.37), or to imprisonment for a term of not less than thre e
months and not more than five years or to both such fine andimprisonment.
Prohibition to 
make use of licences belonging to others, etc.
Amended by:
L.N. 427 of 2007.53. Any person who makes use of any licence issued to any
other person under the provisions of this Act, or of any licenc e
which has ceased to be in force, or which has been suspended orrevoked under this Act shall be guilty of an offence under this  Act
and shall be liable on conviction to a fine ( multa ) not less than six
hundred and ninety-eight euro and eighty-one cents (698.81) butnot exceeding two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nineeuro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37), or to imprisonment for a
term of not less than three months and not more than five years , or
to both such fine and imprisonment.
Production of 
licence.
Amended by:
L.N. 427 of 2007.54. (1) Any person licensed under this Act shall produce any
licence or permit when required to do so by a police officer an d if
the licence is not on his person at the time he shall produce h is
licence within twenty four hours.
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 21
(2) A licence or permit to keep any firearm shall be always kept
on the premises where such firearm is kept.
(3) Whosoever contravenes the provisions of this article shall
be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine
(multa ) not exceeding two hundred and thirty-two euro and ninety-
four cents (232.94).
Possession of 
firearms during commission of offences.Cap. 9.55. Saving any other provisions of the Criminal Code
applicable to the keeping, carrying, use, acquisition or posses sion
of firearms, any person who -
(a) at the time of committing a crime against the safety of
the government or against the person (other thaninvoluntary homicide or involuntary bodily harm) orof theft or injury to property (other than involuntaryinjury to property); or
(b) at the time of being arrested for a crime,
has on his person any arm proper or ammunition or any imitation
thereof, shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction , be
liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years, unl ess
he otherwise proves that he was carrying the firearm or arm pro per
for a lawful purpose.
Forfeiture of arms. 56. The Court shall order the forfeiture of any arm proper or
ammunition kept or carried, acquired or possessed, imported orexported, sold or transferred in contravention of the provision s of
this Act as a consequence of the punishment for suchcontravention.
Prohibition to hold 
a licence.57. The Court may cancel or suspend a licence issued under
this Act and prohibit a person from holding a licence under thi s Act
for a maximum period of five years where such person is foundguilty of an offence under this Act.
Second or 
subsequent convictions.58. The alternative punishments provided for offences against
this Act shall be applied cumulatively in the case of a second or
subsequent conviction under the provisions of this Act or in th e
case of offenders previously convicted of any of the offencesreferred to in article 24.
Offences by a 
company or body unincorporate.
Amended by:
L.N. 427 of 2007.Cap. 9.59. The provisions of article 121D of the Criminal Code  shall
mutatis mutandis apply where a person is found guilty of an
offence against the provisions of this Act so however that thepunishment to which the body corporate shall be liable shall be  that
of a fine ( multa ) from one thousand and one hundred and sixty-four
euro and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69) to twenty-three thousand a nd
two hundred and ninety-three euro and seventy-three cents(23,293.73).
Other criminal 
proceedings.60. The provisions of this Act shall not affect any criminal
proceedings that may be instituted under any other law.
Non-applicability 
of Probation Act and of article 21 of the Criminal Code.Cap. 446.Cap. 9.61. The provisions of the Probation Act and of article 21 of the
Criminal Code  shall not be applicable to any offence against any of
the provisions of this Act.
22 [CAP. 480. ARMS
Competent court.
Cap. 9.62. Notwithstanding the provisions of article 370 of the
Criminal Code, the Court of Magistrates (Malta) and the Court of
Magistrates (Gozo) shall be competent to try all offences again st
this Act.
Court of 
Magistrates as Court of Criminal Judicature.Cap. 9.63. Proceedings against any person for any offence against any
of the provisions of this Act shall be taken before the Court o f
Magistrates (Malta) or Court of Magistrates (Gozo) as a Court o f
Criminal Judicature in accordance with the provisions of the
Criminal Code :
Provided that, notwithstanding the provisions of article
376(1)( b) of the Criminal Code, the Court shall, at the request of
the prosecution or of the accused, take down the evidence given  by
the witnesses in the manner provided for either in article 391( 6) of
the said Code or in any law for the time being in force.
Right of appeal. 64. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Criminal Code , the
Attorney General shall always have a right of appeal to the Cou rt of
Criminal Appeal from any judgement given by the Court ofMagistrates (Malta) or (Gozo) in respect of proceedings arising  out
of the provisions of this Act.
PART XII
POWER OF THE MINISTER TO MAKE REGULATIONS
Minister’s powers 
to make regulations.65. The Minister may, after consultations with the Board, make
regulations to give effect to the provisions of this Act, and w ithout
prejudice to generality of the foregoing, such regulations may in
particular:
(a) regulate the temporary transfer of arms proper;
(b) establish other categories of persons that may qualify
for a licence under this Act, and the conditions underwhich they may so qualify;
(c) prescribe licence conditions and fees;
(d) prescribe the application forms for the application,
grant, renewal or variation of a licence under this Act;
(e) regulate the transfer or entry of arms proper and
ammunition to or from Malta without need of a licencesubject to such terms and conditions as the Ministermay deem fit;
(f) make provision regarding ammunition, gunpowder and
primers;
(g) make provision for the registration of weapons used in
the martial art;
(h) amend the Schedules to this Act;
(i) prescribe any matter which is required to be prescribed
in terms of this Act;
(j) make provision for the possession, carrying and use of
any firearm or ammunition lawfully in the possessionof any person before the day of the coming into forceof this Act;
(k) provide for the issue of licences to, or for the
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 23
recognition of licences or permits of whatever nature
issued to, persons who are citizens of a Member State,or for the exemption of such persons from therequirement to acquire a licence under this Act:
Cap. 460.   Provided that for the purposes of this paragraph"citizen of a Member State" means a citizen of a State,
except Malta, which is a party to the Treaty within themeaning of the 
European Union Act.
PART XIII
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Effect of repeal of 
the Arms Ordinance on breaches of the said Ordinance.Cap. 66.66. (1) The repeal of the Arms Ordinance (repealed by this
Act) shall not affect any investigation, legal proceedings or r emedy,
in respect of breaches of the Arms Ordinance arising before thecoming into force of this Act.
(2) Any investigations, legal proceedings, or remedy as
referred to in subarticle (1) may be instituted, continued, orenforced and any penalty, forfeiture or punishment to which aperson may have become liable before the coming into force of t his
Act may be ordered, imposed or enforced, as if this Act had not
come into force.
Transitory 
provisions.67. (1) Subject to the provisions of article 65( j), every licence
validly issued under the Arms Ordinance shall continue in forceand shall continue to be valid and governed by the provisions o f the
said Ordinance notwithstanding its repeal by this Act.
(2) Subject to the provisions of article 65( j), any person who on
the day of the coming into force of this Act keeps or possesses  any
arm proper or ammunition when such keeping or possession waslawful under the Arms Ordinance repealed by this Act but isprohibited under the provisions of this Act shall be entitled t o
continue to keep or possess such arm proper or ammunition underthe provisions of the said Ordinance as if it had never been re pealed
by this Act.
(3) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Arms Ordinance by this
Act all regulations made under the said Ordinance shall, until such
time as they are repealed or substituted by regulations made un der
this Act, remain in force and continue to have effect as if mad e
under this Act except insofar as any such regulation is inconsi stent
with any of the provisions of this Act.
24 [CAP. 480. ARMS
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 25
PART I - PROHIBITED FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
1. Explosive military missiles and launchers2. Automatic firearms3. Firearms manufactured as automatic and subsequently converted  to semi-
automatic
4. Firearms disguised as other objects5. ( Deleted by L.N. 76 of 2013 )
6. Long firearms with smoothbore barrels which are less than 45 cm in length
7. Ammunition with armour piercing, explosive or incendiary proj ectiles and
the projectiles for such ammunition
8. Ammunition that discharges a lethal or irritant substance suc h as teargas
9. Ammunition or projectiles of any kind that can be discharged by air
weapons, other than specific air weapon ammunition
10. Pistol and revolver ammunition with expanding projectiles an d the
projectiles for such ammunition
11. Laser sights12. Any device designed to muffle or reduce the report of a fire arm except when
such devices are intended for airguns
13. Essential components of any of the firearms mentioned in thi s Part, namely
the breech closing mechanism, the chamber and the barrel of a f irearm, which, being
separate objects are included in the category of the firearms o n which they are
intended to be mounted.
14. Any non-essential component or accessory intended specifica lly to increase
the rate of fire of semi-automatic or other firearms, such as b ut not limited to, bump-
stocks.
15. ( a)  short firearms which allow the firing of more than 21 rounds  without
reloading, if:
(i) a loading device with a capacity exceeding 20 rounds is par t of
that firearm; or
(ii) a detachable loading device with a capacity exceeding 20 r ounds
is inserted into it;
(b) long firearms which allow the firing of more than 11 rounds w ithout
reloading, if:
(i) a loading device with a capacity exceeding 10 rounds is par t of
that firearm; or
(ii) a detachable loading device with a capacity exceeding 10 r ounds
is inserted into it.
16. Semi-automatic long firearms,  meaning firearms that are ori ginallyAmended by:
L.N. 76 of 2013:L.N. 151 of 2017;L.N. 301 of 2017;L.N.77 of 2018;L.N. 393 of 2018.SCHEDULE I
(Article 3)
26 [CAP. 480. ARMS
intended to be fired from the shoulder that can be reduced to a  length of less than 60
cm without losing functionality by means of a folding or telesc oping stock or by a
stock that can be removed without using tools.
17. Any firearm in this category that has been converted to firi ng blanks,
irritants, other active substances or pyrotechnic rounds or int o a salute or acoustic
weapon.
18. Loading devices for centre-fire semi-automatic firearms in i tem 15 which can
hold more than 20 rounds or more than 10 rounds in the case of long firearms,only if
owned in combination with such firearms into which they may be inserted.
PART II - PROHIBITED ARMS
1. Flick knives
2. Gravity knives3. Butterfly knives4. Knuckle dusters5. Catapults6. All forms of tear gas7. Stun Guns8. Edged weapons disguised as other objects, except for weapons  manufactured
prior to 1946.
PART I - FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SUBJECT TO A LICENCE
1. Semi-automatic or repeating short firearms2. Semi-automatic or repeating long firearms with rifled or smoo thbore barrels.
3. Single shot short firearms4. Single shot long firearms with rifled barrels5. Long firearms with smoothbore barrels which are not less than  45cm in length.
6. Muzzle-loading firearms other than replicas of pre-1900 singl e shot muzzle-
loading firearms
7. Fire arms manufactured to exclusively fire blank shots.8. Airguns.9. Essential components of firearms mentioned in this Part namel y the breech
closing mechanism, the chamber and the barrel of a firearm whic h, being separate
objects, are included in the category of the firearms on which they are or are
intended to be mounted.
10. Ammunition pertaining to firearms in this Schedule.
PART II - ARMS SUBJECT TO A LICENCE
1. Crossbows with a peak pulling weight over 60 pounds and bows with a peakSCHEDULE II
Amended by:
L.N. 76 of 2013;L.N. 208 of 2015;L.N. 209 of 2015;L.N. 393 of 2018.(Article 5)
      
ARMS [CAP. 480. 27
pulling weight over 60 pounds
FIREARMS AND OTHER OBJECTS SUBJECT TO A DECLARATION
1. Firearms manufactured prior to 1900, and designed to be loade d with
ammunition as defined in the Act .
2. Replicas of pre-1900 single shot muzzle loading firearms3. De-activated firearms4. Firearms designed for alarm, signalling or life-savingSCHEDULE III Amended by:
L.N. 76 of 2013:L.N. 151 of 2017;L.N. 393 of 2018.(Article 35(3))