The Firearms Act [Chapter 10:09] is Zimbabwe’s main law regulating firearms and ammunition. Its purpose is to control the purchase, possession, sale, transfer, manufacture, repair, transportation and use of firearms and ammunition.
1. You generally need a firearm certificate
A person cannot simply buy, acquire or possess a firearm or ammunition without the required legal authority, generally a firearm certificate. The law provides a system for applications and the assessment of whether an applicant has a valid reason and can safely possess a firearm.
2. A firearm certificate is not a licence to misuse a gun
Even if a person legally owns a firearm, the firearm must be used responsibly and in accordance with the law. The Act specifically contains provisions dealing with improper use of firearms and the safeguarding of firearms and ammunition.
3. Firearms must be kept safely
Owners have a legal duty to take reasonable measures to prevent firearms and ammunition from being lost, stolen or accessed by unauthorised people. If a firearm or ammunition is lost, the loss must be reported. This is particularly important in cases where a licensed firearm is negligently handled or ends up being used in a crime.
4. Selling and transferring firearms is regulated
The Act regulates transactions involving firearms and ammunition. This includes selling, lending, hiring, giving away or otherwise transferring possession of firearms. Firearms dealers are also subject to specific legal requirements and record-keeping obligations.
5. Certain weapons and ammunition may be specially restricted
The Act contains special provisions relating to certain types of weapons and ammunition, as well as the transportation and removal of firearms within Zimbabwe. It also contains restrictions concerning young persons and firearms.
6. Police and authorities have enforcement powers
The law provides for the forfeiture of firearms, cancellation of firearm certificates, searches for firearms and ammunition, and the collection of information concerning firearms. A firearm may therefore be taken away and a certificate cancelled where the law has been violated or possession is no longer considered lawful.
Important distinction: legal possession vs lawful use
A person may legally possess a firearm but still commit an offence through negligent storage, careless handling, unlawful transfer, threatening someone with it, or using it improperly. In addition to the Firearms Act, other criminal laws may apply depending on what happened—for example, where a firearm is used in an assault, murder, robbery or another offence.
In simple terms: the Firearms Act does not give people an automatic right to own guns. It creates a controlled system under which firearms may be possessed and used only subject to legal requirements and safety obligations.
The version of the Act publicly available through the legal database is Chapter 10:09, with the consolidated version stated as current to 31 December 2016 and amendments applied up to that point; for a current legal matter, the latest amendments and regulations should be checked.
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