Permission to carry weapons via Absher: Conditions, steps, and prohibited areas

As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts toward comprehensive digital transformation and streamlining government procedures for citizens, the Ministry of Interior continues to develop its electronic services through the "Absher" platform, one of the leading digital platforms in the region. The "Firearms Movement Permit" service is part of this integrated system, enabling citizens holding firearms licenses to legally and safely transport their weapons between different regions of the Kingdom. This reflects the security authorities' commitment to regulating firearms possession and ensuring their use within the established legal frameworks.

The importance of regulating weapons permits digitally

Regulating the carrying and possession of weapons is a cornerstone of enhancing security and safety in society. By automating these procedures through the "Absher" platform, the relevant authorities aim to achieve several strategic objectives, including:

• Public security control: through knowing the movements of licensed weapons and verifying the identity of their carriers.
• Preventing randomness: Limiting the unauthorized movement of weapons, thus reducing the chances of their use for purposes other than those for which they are intended.
• Saving time and effort: Eliminating the need for field visits to police stations to issue paper permits, and replacing them with immediate procedures.

Conditions for issuing a permit to carry a weapon

The Absher platform has set a number of strict controls to ensure the beneficiary's eligibility to obtain a movement permit, which are as follows:

• The beneficiary must have an active account and a verified digital identity on the Absher platform.
• The beneficiary's security record must be free of any remarks or restrictions that would prevent the issuance of the permit.
• The weapon to be transported must be previously registered under a valid "possession license".
• Adherence to the permitted limit, as no more than one weapon can be carried on the permit, taking into account that the maximum possession limit is ten weapons.
• The weapons must have been purchased through legitimate means, either from previous owners or authorized sales centers.

Steps to apply for the service via Absher

To successfully complete the permit issuance process, the citizen must follow the following electronic path precisely:

1. Log in to the beneficiary's account on the Absher Individuals platform.
2. Go to the "My Services" tab.
3. Select the "Public Security" sector from the list of services.
4. Press the "Manage Weapons" option.
5. Review the available services and select "Gun Movement Permit".
6. Fill in the detailed data, including: (specifying the route of movement, the area to which it is headed, the date of commencement of the permit, and the number of ammunition transported).
7. Acknowledge the accuracy of the data and agree to the terms and conditions, then confirm the request.

Areas where carrying weapons is strictly prohibited

Despite having a movement permit, there are sovereign and sacred areas where carrying weapons is strictly prohibited under any circumstances, in order to preserve the sanctity of the place and the security of the state. These include:

• The Two Holy Mosques (the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque) and their courtyards.
• Government areas and ministerial buildings.
• Sensitive security and military areas.

This precise regulation confirms the Kingdom’s commitment to applying the highest standards of public safety, while enabling citizens to exercise their legal rights to acquire and transport weapons in accordance with controls that protect society and preserve security gains.