Permission to carry weapons via Absher: Steps, conditions, and prohibited areas

As part of the Saudi Ministry of Interior's ongoing efforts to develop its electronic services and streamline procedures for citizens, the Ministry has launched the "Firearm Movement Permit" service through the "Absher" platform. This step is part of the Kingdom's digital transformation strategy, which aims to automate government services to ensure accuracy and speed of completion, while maintaining the highest standards of security and public safety.

The context of digital weapons regulation in the Kingdom

This service is part of a comprehensive system developed by the Ministry of Interior to regulate and control the possession and carrying of firearms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Previously requiring paperwork and in-person visits, citizens can now manage their firearms licenses digitally. This system aims to enhance internal security by tracking licensed firearms and their movements, thus reducing indiscriminate use and preventing the misuse of weapons, which aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to build a vibrant and secure society.

The service allows citizens to issue a temporary electronic permit to carry a weapon previously registered under a "possession license" (which allows the possession and storage of the weapon at home only), for the purpose of transferring it from one area to another in an orderly manner and without being subject to legal accountability.

Conditions for benefiting from the movement permit service

The Absher platform has specified a set of precise conditions to ensure the beneficiary's eligibility to obtain the permit, which are:

• 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 the issuance of the permit.
• The weapon to be transferred must be officially registered within the beneficiary's acquisition license.
• Adherence to the permitted limit, where no more than one weapon can be carried in the permit, with a limit of ten weapons to be acquired.
• The source of the weapon must be legitimate, whether through purchase from licensed owners or authorized gun sales centers.

The citizen is also obligated, when submitting the application, to accurately specify the route of movement, the area to which it is headed, and the date of commencement of the permit, in addition to clarifying the number of ammunition being transported, while acknowledging the accuracy of the data and agreeing to the terms of service.

Steps to complete the service via Absher

To obtain a movement permit, citizens can easily follow these electronic steps:

1. Log in to the beneficiary's account on the "Absher" electronic platform.
2. Go to the "My Services" tab.
3. Choosing the "Public Security" sector.
4. Press the "Manage Weapons" option.
5. Review the available services and select "Firearm Movement Permit".
6. Fill in the required data (path, date, ammunition).
7. Confirm the request to issue the permit.

Areas where carrying weapons is prohibited

Despite having obtained permission to move around, security authorities emphasized the existence of areas with religious and security restrictions where carrying weapons is strictly prohibited, including:

• The Two Holy Mosques (the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque) and their courtyards.
• Military and security zones and sensitive government facilities.

This exception comes as a confirmation of the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques and the need to provide the utmost reassurance to visitors and pilgrims, in addition to maintaining the security of vital facilities in the country.