As part of the Saudi Ministry of Interior's ongoing efforts to develop its electronic services and streamline procedures for citizens, the "Absher" platform now offers a service for issuing permits to transport firearms. This service enables citizens to obtain a temporary electronic permit to legally and securely transport a firearm registered under a "possession" license from one region to another, without needing to visit security departments in person.
Conditions for obtaining a permit to carry a weapon
The relevant authorities have established a set of strict controls to ensure that the service is used in accordance with security standards, and these include the following conditions:
- The beneficiary must have an active digital identity on the Absher platform.
- The beneficiary's record must be free of any security notes or restrictions that would prevent them from benefiting from the service.
- The weapon to be transferred must be registered in advance under the beneficiary’s acquisition license.
- The obligation is to not carry more than one weapon while moving around, noting that the system does not allow the possession of more than ten weapons per individual.
- The weapons must have been purchased through legitimate means, either from previous owners or authorized sales centers.
Steps to complete the service via Absher
Citizens can complete the permit issuance process in easy steps that require accurately specifying the travel route, the intended area, the permit start date, and the amount of ammunition being transported, by following these steps:
- Log in to the beneficiary's account on the Absher platform.
- Go to the “My Services” tab.
- Choosing the “Public Security” sector.
- Press the “Manage Weapons” option.
- Select the “Weapon Movement Permit” service, fill in the required data, and then confirm the request.
Areas where carrying weapons is prohibited
Security regulations have emphasized the complete prohibition of carrying weapons in specific places to ensure the safety and security of society, most notably the Two Holy Mosques (the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque), in addition to all government areas, and military and security facilities, where violating this exposes the owner of the weapon to legal accountability.
The importance of digital regulation of gun ownership
This measure is part of the Kingdom's digital transformation strategy, where automating gun licenses aims to enhance security and restrict firearms possession to licensed individuals only. This regulation contributes to reducing the unregulated carrying of weapons and ensures that security agencies are aware of the movement of licensed firearms between regions, thus increasing safety levels and reducing the risk of misuse.
These services reflect the significant development in the technological infrastructure of the Ministry of Interior, which now offers hundreds of electronic services through “Absher”, saving time and effort for beneficiaries and achieving the principle of transparency and efficiency in providing government services, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in building a vibrant society and an effective government.
