As part of the Saudi Ministry of Interior's efforts to regulate the possession and use of firearms and enhance public security, the "Absher" electronic platform offers an advanced service enabling citizens to obtain a "firearms movement permit." This service is specifically for firearms already registered under a "possession license" and aims to allow the holder to legally and safely transport the firearm from one region to another, reflecting the significant digital advancements in government services in the Kingdom.
Digital transformation and gun control
This service is part of the Kingdom's comprehensive digital transformation initiative under Vision 2030, where the "Absher" platform has become the primary interface for completing security and civil transactions without the need to visit government offices. Regulating the movement of firearms aims to enhance security and prevent the indiscriminate use of weapons, while guaranteeing citizens' right to own and transport firearms within strict regulations that ensure public safety. The Ministry emphasizes that this permit is temporary and linked to a specific route, facilitating the monitoring of firearm movement by security authorities and ensuring its compliance with regulations.
Conditions for obtaining a travel permit
The relevant authorities have identified a set of essential conditions that must be met to successfully complete the process via the platform:
- The beneficiary must have an active digital identity on the Absher platform.
- The beneficiary's record must be free of any security issues that might hinder the issuance of the permit.
- The weapon to be transferred must be included in the beneficiary’s “acquisition license”; the permit does not cover unlicensed weapons.
- Adherence to the permitted limit, where no more than one weapon can be carried on the trip, and the number of weapons acquired must not exceed ten.
- The purchase of the weapon must have been made through official channels (licensed owners or authorized sales centers).
Steps to complete the service via Absher
To obtain the permit, the beneficiary must follow the following technical steps precisely:
- Log in to the beneficiary's account on the "Absher" electronic platform.
- Go to the “My Services” tab and then select “Public Security”.
- Press the “Manage Weapons” option.
- Review the available services and select “Permit to Carry Weapons”.
- Fill in all the required data accurately (specify the route of travel, the area to which it is headed, the date of commencement of the permit, and the number of ammunition transported).
- Acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions of the service, then confirm the order.
The importance of adhering to restricted areas
A key aspect of this regulation is the designation of areas where carrying weapons is strictly prohibited, even with a permit. These areas include the Two Holy Mosques (the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina) and their surrounding courtyards, in reverence for the sanctity of these holy sites and to maintain the peace and tranquility of worshippers and visitors. The prohibition also extends to all government buildings and security and military facilities, where carrying weapons constitutes a violation of strict security protocols. This geographical restriction aims to limit the presence of weapons to the narrowest possible scope and only for justifiable purposes, thereby enhancing security and reducing the likelihood of incidents.
