Firearms Acquisition

The Firearms Act regulates the licensing, controlling, manufacturing, importation, transportation, dealing in and possession of firearms and ammunition and all related matters. Malawi, just like other countries in the world, supplements the security of individuals and companies by issuing permits for, and monitoring firearm/ammunition acquisition, registration and safety. The categories of permits issued differ according to the purpose of the firearm/ammunition. This task is entrusted to the Firearms Registry at the National Police Headquarters.

Eligibility to Acquire a Firearm
For Residents

• Minimum age of 18 and upon assessment of maturity and sanity of the individual
• No criminal record
• National ID

For Foreigners

• Valid Passport
• Permanent resident permit and business resident permit
• Individuals that have stayed more than 2 years

NOTE: A foreigner based in Malawi who intends to acquire a firearm has to follow all the steps as described below even if he/she already owned the firearm and that he simply wants to import it into Malawi from his home abroad. The applicant will still have to be approved by the Malawi Government. It has to be noted that foreigners who indicate that they will stay in Malawi for a period of less than six months are issued with an Annual Tourist Permit. Such visitors are mostly top officials on Government matters.

Procedure for Acquisition of a New Firearm

1. Completion of Application Form
   An individual or organization wishing to acquire a firearm firstly is required to fill Form 10B (Application for a Permit to Acquire a Firearm) which is obtainable from any Police Station

   Part "A" of the form is filled by applicant from Line 1-10. Note that nothing is indicated on No.7 if the firearm to be acquired is new. Entry No. 11 has to be filled by persons recommending the applicant’s need to acquire the firearm. Recommenders normally are persons of some status in the community like senior Government Officials, Chiefs, Village Headmen, etc.

   Under Part "B", the applicant takes the application form to the Officer In Charge of the area he/she resides for an assessment and remarks on the suitability to acquire the firearm.

   Under Part "C", the form is taken to the District Commissioner for a similar assessment as in Part "B".

   In Part "D", the form is taken to the Firearms Registry for endorsement. This section is only filled once an approval has been granted by the Office of the President and Cabinet.

2. Approval to Acquire a Firearm
   Once an approval to acquire a firearm has been granted by the Office of the President and Cabinet (after a sitting which is chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet, the Army Commander, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of National Intelligence Services and the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Homeland Security), the Firearms Registry issues an approval letter to the applicant. This document enables the applicant to purchase the firearm locally at a Firearms Dealer or abroad depending upon the choice of the applicant.

Procedure for Acquisition of a Secondhand Firearm
The same procedure is followed when an applicant wishes to obtain a permit to acquire a secondhand firearm. The current holder should furnish the applicant with the details of the firearm and explain the reasons for transferring the firearm. In case of death of the holder, relatives have to choose a representative to inherit the firearm or sell it to whoever is interested to acquire.

Application Fees

Firearms Importation into Malawi
When an individual/organization possessing a letter of approval decides to purchase a firearm outside Malawi, they, in addition to the approval letter, are issued with a Permit to Import a Firearm. Upon entry into Malawi, the applicant declares the firearm to the Malawi Police Service or the Malawi Revenue Authority for assessment. Firearms shall only be released to the applicant upon production of full permit of the firearm.

"Permit", shall comprise the following documents:

• An approval Letter
• Permit to Acquire a Firearm
• Permit to Acquire Ammunition
• Summary Statement
• Permit to Transfer a Firearm (in the case of a second hand firearm)
• Permit to Import a Firearm (in the case of an imported firearm)

Application Processing Duration
The approval committee convenes every three months. A minimum of three months is therefore required for the applicant to wait for the processing of the firearm permit but this duration may be longer if the committee is not able to convene as scheduled.

Training
No formal training is given to new individual firearm holders as part of the application process. However, interested individuals are offered training in Weapon Handling Safety. If the application is for an organization, once an approval has been obtained the organization specifies names of its officers to undergo a two week training in Weapon Handling and Safety, and certificates are issued by the Inspector General of Police. This is done to avoid improper handling of the firearms that may result in deaths and loss of property.

Destruction of Firearms
The Malawi Police Service sometimes destroys firearms which meet some criteria. Some of the circumstances under which firearms can be destroyed are:

• Government firearms declared not fit for use and/or not serviceable
• Firearms declared by the owner to be out of interest
• Abandoned/found firearms whose owner(s) cannot be traced
• Firearms forfeited to the Government by a Court Order