How To Become A Licensed Gun Holder In Kenya 2023

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It seems silly when someone makes a conscious decision to purchase a firearm and become a licensed gun holder, right? Nonetheless, there are a number of reasons why someone might wish to buy a gun. Obtaining a firearms license in Kenya involves following specific steps and meeting certain conditions. To prevent firearms from falling into the hands of criminals or deranged individuals who would use them to hurt people, these limits have been put in place, and there are processes in place as well.

If you wish to legally buy a gun in Kenya as well, The Busian Post has you covered with unique information and instructions.

Since owning a gun is not truly a requirement and is only given to a select few people, it must be a luxury in Kenya. Just a small number of applications for self-protection are authorized because police personnel are required to protect people.

These examples include situations where the applicant is put at risk because of their situation.

Politicians, wealthy businessmen, and other excluded groups are routinely given permission to possess firearms.

A gun or firearm license is a sanctioned official authorization granted by the designated government authority of a certain country that permits the applicant to acquire, possess, or carry a handgun. No one is allowed to own a gun until they have secured a legitimate gun license, with the exception of government and constitutional bodies that are granted legal authority to do so.

In Kenya, the manufacturing, transportation, importation, exportation, repair, sale, storage, possession, and use of ammunition, weapons, airguns, and destructive devices are all subject to license, regulation, and control by the Firearms Licencing Board (FLB). Gun ownership and use are regulated in Kenya by the Security Amendment Act and the Firearms Act.

How to be a Licensed Gun Holder

For the average Kenyan, owning a gun is incredibly costly. When bought legally, this luxury costs between Ksh100,000 and Ksh350,0000. Spend between Ksh 160 000 and Ksh 350 000 on a short pistol. J.J. Okwaro & Co, Spy Shop Limited, and Kenya Bunduki are a few of the firearms stores in Kenya. If you fulfill the requirements, you are only allowed to own the firearm.

In Kenya, to be a Licensed Gun Holder is an easy but time-consuming procedure. A person must apply to the officer in charge of issuing firearm licenses to convey their desire to own a firearm. The Firearms Bureau in the Nairobi region requires first-time candidates to submit their applications in person. If a candidate wants to be allowed to carry a gun freely in Kenya, they must fulfill a number of criteria for the Firearm Licensing Board’s vetting procedure.

The requirements include:

Copy of National Identification card or passport
Police Clearance Certificate (Certificate of good conduct from the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI))
Psychiatric report from a government hospital.
Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) from Kenya revenue authority
Applicant must be of the age of 21 years and above,
well-trained in handling the firearm.

Despite meeting the above requirements, the firearms Act in Kenya prohibits civilians from owning guns used by security organs, for example, MP5, AK47, and G3.

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The application process:

For one to be a Licensed Gun Holder, he/she must first visit the Kenya Firearms Bureau at the Nairobi Area Station to submit an application for firearm authorization. The prospective Licensed Gun Holder will receive the required application paper from the Chief Licensing Officer, which he/she must fill out.

Prior to visiting Kenya Firearms Bureau, have your documents ready. Get a clearance with the police by getting your fingerprints taken and processed by the DCI. The process costs Ksh. 1050 and takes around two for the police clearance certificate to be ready.

Send your duly filled application forms: Send a properly completed form and the accompanying supporting documentation to the police station closest to your home. Attaching copies of the following documents:

National Identity Card or passport copy.
Police Clearance Certificate
Physical and mental fitness certificate.

Application Review

Application review is done by the county security committee and sub-county security intelligence committee before approval or rejection is done. The vetting process is thorough and the committee may ask the applicant for further information. The committee as well rely upon National Intelligence Service for background checks.

The Inspector General of Police is responsible for clearing the application. The names of those vetted and cleared for consideration to be licensed as firearm holders are forwarded to the Inspector General of Police, who has the final say to instruct the Chief Licensing Officer to clear the applicants.

Then there is the process of issuing a certificate or authorization for a firearm.

An application for gun registration in Kenya will become active once the Inspector General approves it. However, even after going through the entire application procedure, there is no guarantee that the license will be granted. There are a few factors that would cause the registration to be denied.

Reasons for revoking an application

If the applicant is insane. This is where the applicant’s state of mind prevents normal perception, behavior, or social interaction. Serious mental illness is also considered insanity.
If the applicant is temperamental. This is where the applicant exhibits unreasonable changes in mood.
If the applicant cannot handle or store the firearm safely. This is straightforward. Like lack of a secure place for the firearm.

That said, it is also worth noting that for a holder of a gun license in Kenya.
Even after owning a gun after a successful application, the request could be revoked.

Reasons why a gun license can be revoked.

Misusing a gun while drunk
When one fails to renew their license
Careless storage that may cause harm to the public
When the holder removes the gun’s serial number
When a holder is a threat to public safety.

A gun license in Kenya is granted under strict adherence to the Firearm Act in Kenya. Since not every person gets the privilege to own a gun, one should be cautious when they get one. A Licensed Gun Holder can easily have his gun revoked.

If the license is canceled, the Licensed Gun Holder can request a review of his/her case by the Inspector General by filing an appeal.