Weapon Laws in United Arab Emirates

The laws in the United Arab Emirates ensuring the safety of UAE residents. Several businesses have to use sharp tools in their businesses which is a normal practice in their businesses. For example, a butcher has a knife to slaughter the animals. It is their professional business so they have to use such weapons.

However, anyone other than the professional butcher who owns a knife that can cause injury to anyone and it is sharp enough to stab anyone could face heavy fines and imprisonment.  As far as guns are concerned then only UAE nationals are allowed to keep guns. Licensing the possession or of weapons is allowed only for UAE citizens. The expatriates are not allowed to possess any weapon in UAE.

The UAE Penal Law ensures public safety by penalizing people possessing weapons without any reason. Individuals are also restricted from possessing sharp tools, ammunition, explosives, and military material. Without a license for these possessions, people cannot trade, manufacture, export, or even dispose of any of those weapons.

“According to Article 405 of the UAE’s Penal Law, anyone who has found in possession of a weapon or tool or any sharp thing, that could injure, or pierce, or smash, or stain without a legitimate reason, will have to face jail, or fines or both.”

The UAE has strict laws against possessing weapons across the region for public safety. The laws are governed by a professional approach to ensuring authorization, mitigating the risk of illegal use, and regulating the possession of these weapons. Serious penalties are implemented in case of illegal possession of the weapon. You can have a meeting with our lawyers, to have the better understanding and the consequences of mistakes.

There is a broad range of weapons that are possessed in the UAE.

Let’s have a look:

• Firearms

These include pistols, rifles, and military-grade weapons. Just locals are allowed to keep weapons but after fulfilling the legal requirements.

• Ammunition

Ammunition, missiles and such materials are possessed by military only.

• Knives and Blades

Objects that are sharp but used for other purposes, too. These include switchblades, hunting knives, and swords. These can be only used for professional basis.

• Hazardous Material

Hazardous material can create big explosions. These include dynamite, gunpowder, and anything that may damage property or harm individuals. Only government/security/military institutions can keep such weapons/materials.

• Non-Lethal Weapons

These weapons are not serious. They are used for self-defense. They include tasers and pepper sprays.

To possess any weapon, even if you are a UAE citizen, there is a license that authorizes you the possession of the weapon:

• Legal Requirements for a License

To get the license, you must be a UAE national or working as a security personnel or in a law enforcement organization in the UAE. Basically police, law enforcements are exempted from such rules. They have their own criteria. Expats are not allowed to own personal weapons.

• Criteria for Getting a License

Besides your nationality, you should be 21 years old or older. There will be a criminal record screening, ensuring your records are clean. However, you must also explain the reason for possessing the weapon. Could it be hunting or a security guard job? Nevertheless, you must ensure complete training to use the weapon. You can also visit official portal of UAE about UAE of Weapons.

The UAE government monitors the weapons. Only the licensed individuals can use the weapons as per the following rules:

• Safe Use

The weapons should be used for specific purposes, such as hunting and personal protection.

• Storage Requirements

Having a licensed weapon does not mean that it should be available for the public, even if it is in the house. The weapon should be stored in specific areas of the house in a safe or locked cabinet, ensuring that it is out of reach for many people, whether in the house or outside the house.

• How is a Weapon Prohibited in the UAE?

Having a license to possess a weapon does not mean that one can use it as per one’s choice. There has to be a limit to using the weapon, which is outlined in the UAE weapon laws. Weapons are prohibited in the UAE if they are used for illegal activities, threatening others, or showing them off in public.

• Penalties for Violating Weapon Laws

If there has been an illegal use of weapons in the UAE, then the individual has to face severe consequences. Depending on the severity of the case, the crime offender can be fined up to AED 100,000 and be in jail for at least six months. The duration of imprisonment can go up to five years. Kindly check with legal consultants for the exact details regards to this.Let’s discuss these in detail:

• Illegal Use of Weapons

The penalty for using a weapon to harm or threaten another person could lead to 10 years of imprisonment.

• Trafficking or Smuggling Weapons

If you possess a weapon illegally, especially when these weapons belong to the ammunition department, you could receive the death penalty.

• Possessing Explosives and Hazardous Materials

Unauthorized possession of explosive material can lead to at least 15 years of imprisonment.

• Use of Tasers and Pepper Spray

Usually, these weapons are kept by citizens, ensuring self-defense techniques in the UAE. If there was no incident of threat or molestation, but the pepper spray or taser was shot at the other person, the culprit will have to pay the fine or as well be behind bars.

The government is striving hard to make people aware of the consequences of using illegal weapons, ensuring public safety:

• Weapon Amnesty Programs

The amnesty program allows individuals to submit their illegal weapons without facing any criminal proceedings.

• Enhanced Border Security

The security on the borders is tightened, ensuring that weapons and hazardous materials are not trafficked or smuggled into country.

• Campaigns in the UAE

Public awareness campaigns shall be designed to educate the masses about the penalties for possessing weapons or using them for illegal purposes. The laws should be described and explained to them through reenactments and other visuals on television and in public.

The law authorities can carry weapons. However, UAE also ensures that the weapon is legally authorized and that no violence is conducted with those weapons. The customs authorities prevent the illegal import and export of weapons in UAE.

The history of using weapons in the UAE is vast. In the past, weapons were used for hunting and protection. Most of them were daggers, swords, and rifles. Nowadays, museums in the UAE display those weapons as a symbol of heritage.

UAE does not allow, to carry and possess weapons in UAE. Only UAE nationals are allowed but they also have to follow some protocols. The security institutions and military have exemptions but they are also under some rules set by government. Fines and penalties are also set for those who will breach the laws. We must say that the efforts of UAE government has to be appreciated and admired. Legal content or articles are for info sharing purposes. Therefore no liability is taken here. Kindly contact lawyers and legal consultants for further services and legal support.