How to Renew Your Licence for Purpose of Use 1 – Club Use

Classes are the types of firearms you own (A, B, C, D, H) and the purposes of having that firearm are the numbers next to the letters, (1,2,3,4,5,6,7). The definitions can be found on the back of your firearms licence, or  in the firearms act and regulations by clicking here (Link to other page).

If you have a 1 next to any of the categories (A,B,C,D,H), it means you have a licence to use a firearm within a shooting club. To renew the licence for Purposes of Use 1 (POU1)  you will need to show that you are an active member of a club.
The instructions below go through the process for renewing your licence or purpose of use 1 for A, B and H at for a SSAA Club.

LONG ARMS (A,B)

Long arms licences are either 1, 2 or 5 years. If you have  A1  and /or B1 on your licence, you are required to obtain a chit from the club stating you are an active member.

Chits are written out by the club signatories for the club you are a member of. Usually the club signatory is the clubs secretary; however some of the larger clubs may have multiple signatories for you to access.  It is preferably to contact the signatory to organise your chit a couple of weeks before your licence expires instead of leaving it for the day of expiry.

When you ask for a chit, you will need to show your current firearms licence, your club membership and your SSAA membership card, All documents need to be still in date.

The secretary is required by Law to inform SAPOL of those members who are no longer active members of a SSAA Club within 28 Days.

Once you receive you chit, you can then go to renew your firearms licence. Make sure that the chit is attached to your licence renewal as they can separate by accident through the post.

PISTOLS (H)

Renewing your handgun licence (Class H POU 1)?Renewing your licence for handguns is similar to long arms however a person also needs to do a required number of shoots to show they are an active member. ?Pistol licences are broken up into 4 categories.
Category 1 - Air or gas operated handguns,
Category 2 - .22 Rim-fire handguns,
Category 3 - Centre-fire handguns not more than .38 calibre, and
Category 4 - handguns over .38 calibre.
Over the 12 months before your licence expires, a member must participate in 6 organised competitive shooting matches. Competitive shooting matches are ones that have been programmed by the club. ?Additionally, a member must for each other category of handgun registered in his or her name, complete 4 club organised shoots.

Examples:
Member A does not own any Handguns but has H1 on their licence.
They are required to do 6 shoots in any category over a 12 month period...
Member B owns a .22 Handgun
They are required to do 6 x category 2 shoots over a 12 month period...
Member C owns two .22 calibre handguns and a .45 calibre handgun
They are required to do 6 x category 2 shoots and 4 x category 4 shoots every 12 months.
OR
They can do 6 x category 4 shoots and 4 x category 2 shoots every 12 months...

When your licence is up for renewal you will be required to provide evidence of the shoots you have attended. 

You will also need to show your current Firearms licence, you club membership card and your SSAA membership card. Once you receive you chit, you can then go to renew your firearms licence. Make sure that the chit is attached to your licence renewal as they can separate by accident through the post.

For POU 2, 3 & 4 A club cit is not required.