ARMS ACT 1960
(Act 206)
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
PRELIMINARY
Section
1. Short title
2. Interpretation
PART II
LICENCES AND PERMITS
Arms Licences and Arms Permits
3. No person to possess, carry or use arms or ammunition without an arms licence or an arms permit
4. Grant and renewal of arms licences and arms permits
5. Restrictions on the grant of arms licences and arms permits
6. Exemptions from requirements to hold arms licences or arms permits
7. Loss or destruction of, or obliteration, etc., of marks on, arms and ammunition
8. Penalty for possessing or carrying arms and ammunition without an arms licence or arms permit, etc.
Dealers’ Licences, Repairers’ Licences, and Combined Dealers’ and Repairers’ Licences
9. Licences to deal in and repair arms and ammunition
10. Boards to be affixed at dealers and repairers shops
Licences to Purchase, Obtain or Transfer Arms and Ammunition
Section
11. Restrictions on the sale and transfer of arms and ammunition; licence to purchase, obtain or transfer arms and ammunition
Licences to Manufacture Arms and Ammunition
12. No person to manufacture arms or ammunition without licence
13. Boards to be affixed at place of manufacture
14. Penalty for manufacturing without licence and for breach of conditions of licence
Import and Export of Arms and Ammunition and Licences therefor
15. Licence to import
16. Marking of cases and notice of importation
17. Declaration of arms and ammunition
18. Permit to land or tranship arms and ammunition
19. Licence to export
20. Ports and places of import and export
21. Minister may prohibit importation or exportation
22. Penalty in respect of vessel, aircraft or vehicle used for illegal importation or exportation
23. Penalty for unlawful importation or exportation
24. Concealing unlawfully imported arms or ammunition
General
25. Inspection of stock-in-trade
26. Returns of arms and ammunition and production of arms and ammunition, etc., to police
27. Deposit of arms and ammunition at police station
28. Lost, destroyed, etc., licences and permits
29. Where licensee under disability
30. Refusal and revocation of licences and permits
31. Minister’s power to order revocation of licences and permits
PART III
OTHER OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND PROCEEDINGS
32. Penalty for use and possession of arms and imitation arms in certain cases
33. Possession of arms and ammunition for unlawful purpose
34. Carrying a firearm while drunk or disorderly
35. Loss of firearms or ammunition
36. Possession of and importation of imitation arms
37. Causing injury with an arm without lawful excuse
38. Provisions as to shortening arms and converting imitation arms
39. Arms not to be discharged except at shooting range, etc.
40. Finding of arms or ammunition
41. Abetment and attempt
42. Offences by bodies of persons, servants and agents
43. General penalty
44. Rewards to informers
45. Presumption
46. Jurisdiction of Courts
PART IV
SEARCH, SEIZURE AND ARREST
47. Search for arms or ammunition under warrant
48. Search warrant against persons
49. Entry and search by Magistrate, etc.
50. Entry on place where arms or ammunition are used
51. Search of trains, vessels, aircraft and vehicles
52. Power to stop and search for arms, etc., in the street
53. Seizures and forfeitures
54. Persons conveying arms or ammunition may be apprehended without warrant
55. Arrest by police without warrant
56. Persons arrested to be taken to police station
PART V
GENERAL
57. Power of Chief Police Officer to delegate
58. Fees
59. Regulations
60. Minister’s powers to exempt
61. Repeal and saving
First Schedule
Second Schedule
Third Schedule
An Act relating to arms, imitation arms and ammunition.
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Arms Act 1960.
2. Interpretation
(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“ammunition” means ammunition (including blank ammunition) for any arm as hereinafter
defined, and includes grenades, bombs and other like missiles, whether capable of use with arms
or not, and any ammunition containing, or designed or adapted to contain, any noxious liquid,
gas or other thing;
“arm” means any lethal barrelled weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or
other missile can be discharged, or which can be adapted for the discharge of any such shot,
bullet or other missile, and any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted or which
can be adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing, and includes an air
gun, air pistol, automatic gun, pistol and any component parts of any such weapon, and any
accessory to those weapons designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing
the weapon;
“arms licence” means a licence granted under section 4;
“arms permit” means a permit to carry and use arms and ammunition granted under section 4;
“Chief Police Officer” includes a Commissioner of Police vested with the control of the Royal
Malaysia Police in respect of any area or State;
“dealer’s licence” means a licence to deal in arms and ammunition granted under section 9;
“imitation arm” means anything which has the appearance or is intended to give the
impression of being an arm, whether it is capable of discharging any shot, bullet, missile,
noxious liquid, gas or other thing, or not;
“imprisonment for life” means, notwithstanding section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1953
[Act 345] and any other written law to the contrary, imprisonment for the duration of the natural
life of the person sentenced;
“licensed dealer” means a person holding a valid dealer’s licence;
“licensed manufacturer” means a person who holds a valid licence to manufacture arms or
ammunition under section 12;
“licensed repairer” means a person licensed only to repair arms and ammunition under section
9;
“manufacture” —
(a) in relation to arms includes making or assembling an arm; and
(b) in relation to ammunition includes making or assembling of ammunition and the
loading or reloading of cartridge cases or other ammunition cases but does not
include the manufacture of the gunpowder or any other propellants and explosives
used for the loading or reloading;
“Officer in Charge of a Police District” and “police officer” shall have the same meanings as
in the Police Act 1967 [Act 344];
“pistol” means any arm of which the length of the barrel measured from the muzzle to the
point at which the charge is exploded on firing does not exceed nine inches;
“proper officer of customs” has the same meaning as in the Customs Act 1967 [Act 235 ];
“repair” in relation to arms or ammunition includes proving or testing the arms or
ammunition;
“repairer’s licence” means a licence to repair arms and ammunition granted under section 9;
“senior police officer” means a police officer of any rank from and including the
Inspector-General down to and including an Assistant Superintendent;
“superior police officer” means an Inspector of any grade other than a Sub-Inspector;
“transfer” includes hiring, lending, giving or parting with possession.
(2) In relation to an area which is administered by a Chief Police Officer other than the
Chief Police Officer of the State within which the area is situate references in this Act to the
Chief Police Officer of a State shall be construed as references to the Chief Police Officer
administering the area.
PART II
LICENCES AND PERMITS
Arms Licences and Arms Permits
3. No person to possess, carry or use arms or ammunition without an arms licence or
an arms permit
(1) Subject to this Act and any regulations made thereunder, no person shall have in his
possession, custody or control any arms or ammunition unless he is the holder of an arms licence
in that behalf granted to him under section 4.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a person may carry and use arms or ammunition in
accordance with the terms of a valid permit granted to him under section 4:
Provided that there is in force an arms licence in respect of those arms and ammunition granted to some other person.
4. Grant and renewal of arms licences and arms permits
(1) An application for an arms licence or arms permit shall be made in the prescribed form
to the Chief Police Officer of the State in which the applicant resides, and shall state such
particulars as may be required by the said form.
(2) Subject to this Act and any regulations made thereunder, a Chief Police Officer may
grant to an applicant an arms licence or arms permit, as the case may be, if he is satisfied that the applicant has a good reason for having in his possession, custody or control, or for carrying and using, as the case may be, the arms and ammunition in respect of which the application is made, and that he can be authorized in that behalf without danger to the public safety or the public interest.
(3) An arms licence or arms permit shall be in such form as may be prescribed, and shall
specify the conditions and restrictions subject to which it is held, the nature and number or other
identification mark of the arms to which it relates and, as respects ammunition, the quantities
authorized to be held at any one time thereunder, and such other matters as may be prescribed.
(4) An arms licence or arms permit shall, unless previously revoked or cancelled, expire on
the 30th day of June next following the date of issue, but may be renewed by the Chief Police
Officer of the State in which the holder resides for a further period of one year from the said 30th
day of June, and so on, from time to time; and the provisions of this section shall apply to the
renewal of an arms licence or permit as they do to the grant thereof.
(5) The particulars of every arms licence or arms permit granted or renewed under this
section shall be entered in a register to be kept by the Chief Police Officer of a State in such form
and manner and at such place as may be prescribed.
(6) If application is made for a licence in respect of any arms or ammunition not marked
with letters or figures or in such other manner that the same may be readily identified, the officer
to whom application is made may, before issuing the licence, cause the arms or ammunition, as
the case may be, to be marked with some permanent mark whereby the same may be afterwards
known and identified, but in such manner as not to injure or deface the same.
5. Restrictions on the grant of arms licences and arms permits
(1) No arms licence shall be granted or renewed for—
(a) a pump or repeating shot gun of any kind, unless the magazine of the gun is so
constructed or permanently plugged as to render it incapable of firing more than
one cartridge at each pressure of the trigger or, in the case of a double-barrelled
gun, one cartridge from each barrel;
(b) an arm that is so designed or adapted that if pressure is applied to the trigger
missiles continue to be discharged until pressure is removed from the trigger or
the magazine containing the missiles is empty;
(c) any arm of any description designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious
liquid, gas or other thing;
(d) any grenade or bomb or other like missile;
(e) any ammunition containing or designed or adapted to contain any noxious liquid,
gas or other thing.
(2) No arms licence or arms permit shall be granted or renewed to a person under the age of
eighteen years:
Provided that the Chief Police Officer of the State in which an applicant of at least sixteen but
under the age of eighteen years resides may, if he is satisfied that exceptional circumstances
exist such as would justify the grant or renewal of a licence to the person, at his discretion waive
the provisions of this subsection, and shall record his reasons for doing so thereon.
(3) No arms licence or arms permit shall be granted in the name of any firm, partnership,
company or corporation, but nothing in this subsection shall prevent an arms licence being
issued to a responsible person nominated by or on behalf of a firm, partnership, company or
corporation to have possession, custody or control of the arms or ammunition owned by the firm,
partnership, company or corporation.
(4) No arms permit shall be granted or renewed unless there is an arms licence in force in
respect of the arms and ammunition described therein.
6. Exemptions from requirements to hold arms licences or arms permits
(1) Section 3 shall not apply to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or to the Ruler or Yang
di-Pertua Negeri of any State:
Provided that a return shall be made to a Chief Police Officer in the month of July in every year
by such person as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri may
appoint in that behalf, giving particulars of all arms and ammunition in the possession, custody
or control of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or of the Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri in respect of
which no arms licence is in force.
(2) Notwithstanding section 3—
(a) a licensed dealer or licensed repairer or any servant thereof acting in the course of
his employment, may without holding an arms licence or arms permit have in his
possession, custody or control, or carry or use arms or ammunition, in the
ordinary course of business as that dealer or repairer, and in accordance with the
terms of that dealer’s or repairer’s licence;
(b) a licensed manufacturer or any servant thereof acting in the course of his
employment, may without holding an arms licence or arms permit have in his
possession, custody or control, or carry or use arms or ammunition manufactured
under the licence, in the ordinary course of business as that manufacturer, and in
accordance with the terms of that manufacturer’s licence;
(c) a person lawfully carrying on the business of an auctioneer or carrier or a servant
of such a person acting in the course of his employment, may without holding
an arms licence or arms permit have in his possession, custody or control, or
convey or carry in the ordinary course of that business arms and ammunition
provided that—
(i) the auctioneer or carrier has obtained permission in writing from a Chief
Police Officer to sell by auction or to convey arms and ammunition; and
(ii) the auctioneer, carrier or servant complies with all conditions and
observes all restrictions subject to which the permission is stated in
writing to be granted;
(d) a person licensed to import or export arms or ammunition or any servant or agent
of the person may, without holding an arms licence or arms permit, have in his
possession, custody or control, or carry and convey any arms or ammunition
authorized to be imported or exported under the licence in such manner as may be
reasonably required for the purpose of effecting the import or export;
(e) any member of the armed forces, any police officer or other person engaged in
performing police duties in accordance with any written law, may in the course of
his duty as such without holding an arms licence or arms permit have in his
possession, custody or control, or carry or use arms or ammunition;
(f) a member of the crew of, or a passenger in any vessel or aircraft may, without
holding an arms licence or arms permit, have in his possession, custody or
control, or carry or use arms and ammunition which are part of the ordinary
armament or equipment of the vessel or aircraft, or which are in or upon the
vessel or aircraft and required for the services thereof;
(g) a person may, without holding an arms licence or arms permit, carry or use—
(i) a miniature rifle not exceeding .22 calibre and ammunition therefor at a
miniature rifle range or shooting gallery, if the rifle or ammunition is
provided for his use by the owner or manager of the range or gallery, and
if the range or gallery is conducted with the permission in writing of, and
subjected to such conditions as may be prescribed by, the Chief Police
Officer of the State in which it is situated;
(ii) arms and blank ammunition at a theatrical performance or rehearsal
thereof or at an athletic meeting in which he is taking part, if the
permission in writing of the Chief Police Officer of the State in which the
performance, rehearsal or meeting is taking place has been obtained to the
use of the arms or ammunition in the course of the performance, rehearsal
or meeting.
(3) A person shall not be deemed to have contravened section 3 by reason only of the fact
that during the month of July in any year he has in his possession, custody or control or is
carrying or using any arms or ammunition in respect of which no licence or permit is in force, if
the person had the arms or ammunition in his possession or was authorized to carry and use the
arms or ammunition on the 30th day of June of the same year under an arms licence or arms
permit in that behalf.
7. Loss or destruction of, or obliteration, etc., of marks on, arms and ammunition
(1) Whenever any arms are lost or destroyed or any ammunition is lost, the person named
in any arms licence to which the arms or ammunition relate and any other person who may have
been in possession of the arms or ammunition immediately before the loss or destruction thereof
shall, as soon as possible but in any case within fourteen days after becoming aware of the loss
or destruction, make a report thereof at the police station nearest to the places where the persons
respectively reside; and upon failure so to report within the said period every such person shall,
on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit.
(2) Any person who—
(a) wilfully obliterates, defaces, alters, counterfeits or forges any mark which is used
for the identification of any arms or ammunition by the manufacturer thereof, or
by which any arms or ammunition may be identified in accordance with any arms
licence, or which has been affixed under subsection 4(6);
(b) fraudulently marks any arms or ammunition with any mark resembling or
intended to resemble any mark referred to in paragraph (a); or
(c) wilfully destroys any arm without the written consent of the Chief Police Officer
of the State,
shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to a fine
not exceeding two thousand ringgit, or to both.
8. Penalty for possessing or carrying arms and ammunition without an arms licence or
arms permit, etc.
Any person who in contravention of the provisions of this Act—
(a) has in his possession, custody or control, or carries or uses any arm or
ammunition without an arms licence or arms permit in that behalf or otherwise
than as authorized by the licence or permit or, in the case of ammunition, in
quantities in excess of those so authorized; or
(b) fails to comply with any condition or to observe any restriction subject to which
an arms licence or arms permit is held by him,
shall, on conviction, be liable in respect of any such contravention to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding seven years, or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit, or to both.
Dealers’ Licences, Repairers’ Licences, and Combined Dealers’ and Repairers’ Licences
9. Licences to deal in and repair arms and ammunition
(1) Subject to this Act and any regulations made thereunder, no person shall sell or transfer,
or keep or expose for sale or transfer, any arms or ammunition unless he is the holder of a valid
licence to deal in arms and ammunition granted to him under this section:
Provided that—
(a) the holder of an arms licence in respect of any arms or any firm, partnership,
company or corporation owning such arms may, subject to section 3, sell or
transfer otherwise than by way of trade or business any such arms;
(b) a person lawfully carrying on the business of an auctioneer may sell by auction or
keep or expose for sale by auction without holding a dealer’s licence any arms or
ammunition in respect of which there is an arms licence in force if the auctioneer
has obtained permission in writing from a Chief Police Officer to sell arms or
ammunition by auction and he complies with all the conditions and observes all
the restrictions subject to which the permission is stated in writing to be granted;
and
(c) a licensed manufacturer may keep any arms or ammunition manufactured or to be
used for manufacturing under his licence without holding a dealer’s licence.
(2) Subject to this Act and any regulations made thereunder, no person shall repair or
accept for repair any arms or ammunition, other than arms or ammunition in respect of which he
holds a valid arms licence or permit, unless a licence to repair arms and ammunition has been
granted to him under this Act and is in force.
(3) A licence granted under this section may be a licence to deal in arms and ammunition
only, or a licence to repair arms and ammunition only, or a combined licence both to deal in and
to repair arms and ammunition, and in the latter case shall be deemed to be for the purposes of
this Act both a dealer’s licence and a repairer’s licence.
(4) An application for a licence under this section shall be made in the prescribed form to
the Chief Police Officer of the State in which the applicant proposes to carry on business as a
dealer or repairer or both, as the case may be, and shall state such particulars as may be
prescribed:
Provided that where the applicant is a person who holds or is at the same time applying for a
licence to manufacture arms or ammunition he shall make such application to the Minister.
(5) A person carrying on any trade or business of dealing in or repairing arms and
ammunition at more than one place of business shall apply for a licence in respect of each such
place of business.
(6) Subject to this Act and any regulations made thereunder, the Chief Police Officer or the
Minister, as the case may be, may grant to the applicant a dealer’s licence or repairer’s licence,
or a combined dealer’s and repairer’s licence, in accordance with his application, if he is
satisfied that the applicant can be permitted to carry on business as such dealer or repairer, or
both, as the case may be, without danger to the public safety or the public interest.
(7) A licence granted under this section shall be in such one of the prescribed forms as may
be appropriate, and shall specify the address of the place of business in respect of which it is
granted and the conditions and restrictions subject to which it is to be held.
(8) Every licence granted under this section shall expire on the 31st day of December next
following the date of issue but may be renewed by the Chief Police Officer of the State in which
the holder carries on business or the Minister, as the case may be, for a further period of one year
from the said 31st day of December, and so on, from time to time; and this section shall apply to
the renewal of such licence as it does to the grant thereof.
(9) The particulars of every licence granted under this section shall be entered in a register
which shall be kept by the Chief Police Officer or the Minister, as the case may be, and in such
form and manner and at such place as may be prescribed.
(10) A licensed dealer or licensed repairer shall keep such books and records in such manner
and containing such particulars as may be prescribed, and shall on demand produce the same for
the inspection of any police officer of or above the rank of sergeant at such place or time as the
police officer may reasonably require.
(11) A licensed dealer or licensed repairer shall make such returns, containing such
particulars and made at such dates and in such manner to the Chief Police Officer of the State in
which his place of business is situate, as may be prescribed:
Provided that where the licence to deal or licence to repair is granted by the Minister, such
returns shall be made to the Minister.
(12) A licensed dealer or licensed repairer who—
(a) carries on business in arms or ammunition;
(b) sells or transfers by way of trade or business any arms or ammunition;
(c) keeps or exposes for sale or transfer any arms or ammunition; or
(d) repairs or has in his possession, custody or control for repair any arms or
ammunition,
at any place other than a place in respect of which he holds a licence under this section shall, on
conviction, for each such offence be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months,
or to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit, or to both.
(13) Any licensed dealer or licensed repairer who fails to comply with any condition or to
observe any restriction subject to which the dealer’s or repairer’s licence is held by him shall, on
conviction, be liable in respect of each such offence to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
two years, or to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit, or to both.
(14) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall, on conviction, be liable to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand
ringgit, or to both.
10. Boards to be affixed at dealers and repairers shops
(1) Every licensed dealer and licensed repairer shall affix and maintain in a conspicuous
position outside the door of his shop or place of business a board bearing the words “Licensed to
Deal in and to Repair Arms and Ammunition” or “Licensed to Deal in Arms and Ammunition”
or “Licensed to Repair Arms and Ammunition”, as the case may be, distinctly printed in letters
not less than two inches high.
(2) Any person who contravenes this section shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not
exceeding five hundred ringgit.
Licences to Purchase, Obtain or Transfer Arms and Ammunition
11. Restrictions on the sale and transfer of arms and ammunition; licence to purchase,
obtain, or transfer arms and ammunition
(1) No person shall sell or transfer any arms or ammunition except to—
(a) a licensed dealer or licensed repairer;
(b) a person who shows that he is entitled to have the arms or ammunition in his
possession by virtue of this Act or of any licence or permit thereunder, provided
that in the case of a person entitled by virtue of a licence or permit, he produces
the licence or permit to the person selling or transferring the same; or
(c) to a person who is and whom he knows or believes to be a police officer or other
public officer acting in the course of his duty in accepting delivery of the arms or
ammunition.
(2) No person shall knowingly accept delivery of any arms or ammunition unless he is the
holder of a valid licence granted to him under this section authorizing him to purchase or acquire
the arms or ammunition or unless he is otherwise entitled under this Act or by virtue of any
licence or permit granted to him thereunder to have possession, custody or control thereof.
(3) Any person who accepts delivery on purchase or transfer of any arms or ammunition
under the authority of any licence granted to him under this section shall —
(a) endorse the said licence with the date of delivery and such particulars of the arms
and ammunition so purchased or transferred and such other particulars as may be
prescribed; and
(b) return the licence so endorsed within one month of the purchase or transfer to the
officer by whom the licence was granted.
(4) A licence to purchase or obtain or transfer arms and ammunition shall be in such form
as may be prescribed and shall be issued by the Chief Police Officer of the State in which the
applicant therefor resides, and shall be subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be
specified therein:
Provided that where the applicant is a person who holds or is at the same time applying for a
licence to manufacture arms or ammunition, such licence shall be issued by the Minister.
(5) Any person who contravenes this section shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding two years, or to a fine not exceeding two thousand ringgit, or to both.
Licences to Manufacture Arms and Ammunition
12. No person to manufacture arms or ammunition without licence
(1) No person shall manufacture any arm or ammunition unless he is the holder of a valid
licence to manufacture arms or ammunition granted to him by the Minister under this section.
(2) The Minister may, if he considers it in the national interest to do so, grant to any
applicant a licence to manufacture arms or ammunition and such licence shall be subject to this
Act and any regulations made thereunder, and to all conditions and restrictions imposed in such
licence which may include—
(a) the type and quantities of arms or ammunition the holder of the licence is
authorized to manufacture;
(b) the security measures to be undertaken by the holder of the licence at the place of
manufacture or any other place;
(c) the requirement that the holder of the licence, if it is a company, firm, society or
other body of persons, permits a government official nominated by the Minister to
be present at any meeting of its board of management; and
(d) any other conditions which the Minister may deem fit to impose.
(3) A licence to manufacture arms or ammunition shall be in the prescribed form and be
valid for such period as the Minister may specify but may at any time be varied, suspended or
cancelled by the Minister.
(4) A licensed manufacturer shall keep such books and records in such manner and
containing such particulars as may be prescribed, and shall on demand produce the same for the
inspection of any police officer of or above the rank of sergeant at such place or time as the
police officer may reasonably require.
(5) A licensed manufacturer shall make to the Minister such returns containing such
particulars and made at such dates and in such manner as may be prescribed.
(6) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, if the Minister grants the application for a licence
to manufacture arms or ammunition under this section, he may vary the conditions attached to
any other licence granted to the applicant under this Act.
(7) This section shall also apply to an application for renewal of a licence to manufacture
arms or ammunition as it applies to the grant thereof.
13. Boards to be affixed at place of manufacture
(1) Every licensed manufacturer shall affix and maintain in a conspicuous position outside
the place of manufacture a board bearing the words “Licensed to Manufacture Arms and
Ammunition” or “Licensed to Manufacture Arms” or “Licensed to Manufacture Ammunition”,
as the case may be, distinctly printed in letters not less than two inches high.
(2) Any person who contravenes this section shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not
exceeding five hundred ringgit.
14. Penalty for manufacturing without licence and for breach of conditions of licence.
(1) Any person who manufactures an arm or ammunition—
(a) without a valid licence granted under section 12; or
(b) in contravention of any condition imposed under paragraph 12(2)(a),
shall, on conviction, be liable to punishment with—
(i) death; or
(ii) imprisonment for life and whipping with not less than six strokes,
and, in the case of a company, firm, society or body of persons, with a fine not exceeding five
hundred thousand ringgit.
(2) Any licensed manufacturer who fails to comply with any condition or to observe any
restriction imposed by the licence other than conditions imposed under paragraph 12(2)(a) shall,
on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty-five thousand ringgit, and, in the case of a
company, firm, society or body of persons, to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand ringgit.
Import and Export of Arms and Ammunition and Licences therefor
15. Licence to import
(1) No person shall import any arms or ammunition or parts of arms into Malaysia, either
by sea, land or air, unless he holds a licence in that behalf.
(2) Such licence may be obtained on application to the Chief Police Officer of any State,
and shall be in such form as may be prescribed:
Provided that where the applicant is a person who holds or is at the same time applying for a
licence to manufacture arms or ammunition such application shall be made to the Minister.
(3) Every holder of such licence shall endorse thereon descriptive particulars of all arms
and ammunition and parts of arms imported thereunder, and shall return the licence to the
Officer in Charge of the Police District wherein he resides within three days from the expiration
of the term allowed thereby.
(4) A bona fide traveller arriving in Malaysia may on application at the place of arrival to
any police officer appointed in writing in that behalf by the Chief Police Officer of the State,
obtain from him an interim licence to import into Malaysia and to possess and carry his personal
arms and ammunition. The licence shall be in such form as may be prescribed and shall remain
in force for a period of one month from the date of issue, and no arms or ammunition imported
thereunder may be re-exported without an export licence or an endorsement enabling
re-exportation on the interim import licence.
(5) An interim licence may be issued under subsection (4) to the manager or other
responsible member of a theatrical or circus company in respect of arms and ammunition to be
used in the performances of the company, but the arms and ammunition and the interim licence
must be produced by the holder thereof to the Officer in Charge of each Police District in which
the company performs and the licence shall be endorsed by him.
16. Marking of cases and notice of importation
When arms or ammunition are imported into Malaysia for the purposes of trade or profit—
(a) the case or package, if any, containing the same shall be distinctly and legibly
marked with the words “Firearms” or “Ammunition”, or shall be marked in such
other manner as the Minister may by order prescribe; and
(b) notice of the intended importation and of the name of any vessel and of the
estimated date and time of arrival of the vessel or of any aircraft, train or vehicle
whereby the same is to be effected shall, if known, be given to the proper officer
of customs at the port or place of import before the arrival thereof at such port or
place.
17. Declaration of arms and ammunition
Every person entering Malaysia who has in his possession or among his baggage any arms or
ammunition, and every consignee receiving any arms or ammunition imported into Malaysia,
shall make a declaration thereof at such time and place, in such manner, and with such
particulars, as may be prescribed, and shall at the same time produce the licence issued under
section 15 for the importation of the arms or ammunition.
18. Permit to land or tranship arms and ammunition
(1) The Chief Police Officer of any State may, upon application by the owner, agent,
master or captain of any vessel or aircraft arriving or about to arrive at any port or place in the
State, grant a permit to the owner, agent, master or captain authorizing him to land any arms or
ammunition consigned upon the vessel or aircraft to the port or place or for transhipment at the
port or place.
(2) The Chief Police Officer of any State may, upon application by the owner, agent,
master or captain of any vessel or aircraft arriving or about to arrive at any port or place in the
State and having on board any arms or ammunition for transhipment at the port or place, grant to
the owner, agent, master or captain a permit to tranship the arms or ammunition.
(3) The owner, agent, master or captain of the vessel or aircraft shall, upon the grant of a
permit under subsection (1) or (2), cease to be liable to any prosecution for importing the arms or
ammunition without a licence; but the granting of such permit shall not render any other person
free from any prosecution for importing the arms or ammunition without a licence.
19. Licence to export
(1) No person shall export any arms or ammunition from Malaysia either by sea, land or air
unless he holds a licence in that behalf.
(2) Such a licence may be obtained on application to the Chief Police Officer of any State,
and shall be in such form as may be prescribed:
Provided that where the applicant is a person who holds or is at the same time applying for a
licence to manufacture arms or ammunition such application shall be made to the Minister.
20. Ports and places of import and export
The Minister may, from time to time, by notification in the Gazette , declare that arms or
ammunition or particular classes of arms or ammunition shall not be imported into or exported
from Malaysia except at ports or places specified in the notification, and no arms or ammunition
shall be imported into or exported from Malaysia contrary to the terms of the notification.
21. Minister may prohibit importation or exportation
(1) The Minister may, from time to time, by notification in the Gazette, prohibit for a
period to be specified in the notification either the importation or the exportation of any arms or
ammunition or parts of arms or of particular kinds of arms or ammunition or parts of arms
without a special permit signed by himself.
(2) Any such prohibition of exportation may either be absolute or may relate to such place
or places as shall be specified in the notification; and any person who takes or sends any article
out of Malaysia by sea, land or air with the intention that it shall ultimately reach a particular
place either directly or indirectly shall, for the purposes of this section, be deemed to export the
arms or ammunition to that place.
(3) Any person who imports or exports any arms or ammunition or parts of arms in
contravention of any notification published under this or in breach of the restrictions and
conditions subject to or upon which any special permit is issued shall, on conviction, be liable to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand
ringgit, or to both.
22. Penalty in respect of vessel, aircraft or vehicle used for illegal importation or
exportation
(1) If any vessel, aircraft or vehicle is used—
(a) for the importation or exportation of any arms or ammunition or parts of arms in
contravention of a notification under section 21; or
(b) for the receipt or storage of any arms or ammunition or parts of arms imported in
contravention of a notification under section 21,
then—
(A) the owner, master or captain thereof shall, on conviction, be liable to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to a fine not exceeding ten
thousand ringgit, or to both, unless it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that
the said owner, master or captain was not implicated in the placing of the arms or
ammunition or parts of arms on board the vessel, aircraft or vehicle, and that the
offence in question was committed without his knowledge, consent or
connivance; and
(B) the vessel, aircraft or vehicle may be detained by order of the court until security
has been given for such sum as the court orders, not exceeding ten thousand
ringgit.
(2) The finding of any arms or ammunition or parts of arms which are subject to a
prohibition under section 21 on board any vessel, aircraft or vehicle shall be prima facie
evidence that the vessel, aircraft or vehicle has been used for the importation or exportation of
arms or ammunition or parts of arms contrary to this Act, or for the receipt or storage of arms or
ammunition or parts of arms imported contrary thereto.
(3) For the purposes of this section the expression “master” includes every person, except a
pilot, having command or charge of a vessel.
23. Penalty for unlawful importation or exportation
(1) Any person who contravenes subsection 15(1) or 19(1) shall, on conviction, be liable to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand
ringgit, or to both.
(2) Any person who contravenes subsection 15(3), section 16, 17 or 20 shall, on conviction,
be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit.
24. Concealing unlawfully imported arms or ammunition
Whoever knowingly conceals any arms or ammunition imported without a licence shall, on
conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to a fine not
exceeding ten thousand ringgit, or to both.
General
25. Inspection of stock-in-trade
(1) Every licensed dealer, licensed repairer and licensed manufacturer shall on the demand
of any police officer of or above the rank of sergeant submit his stock-in-trade, which shall be
deemed to include arms in his possession for repair, to the inspection of the officer.
(2) Whoever intentionally conceals the stock-in-trade of any such person from a police
officer of or above the rank of sergeant or wilfully refuses to point out where the same is kept
shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to a fine
not exceeding ten thousand ringgit, or to both.
26. Returns of arms and ammunition and production of arms and ammunition, etc., to
police
(1) The Chief Police Officer in any State may, from time to time, at his discretion by order
published in the Gazette, require every person resident in the State who is authorized under any licence, permit or other written authority issued under any written law for the time being in force
in the State to carry, possess or have in his custody or under his control any arms or ammunition
or any arm or ammunition of any such class or kind as may be specified in the said order, to
forward to the Chief Police Officer within such time as may be specified in the said order, a
return under his hand, setting forth such particulars as may be specified in the said order of all
arms and ammunition, or of all arms and ammunition of such specified class or kind, which are
in his possession or in his custody or under his control.
(2) Any senior police officer or any Officer in Charge of a Police District may, for reasons
to be first recorded by him, authorize by name and in writing any police officer not below the
rank of corporal to require any person, or the persons living in any locality within his
jurisdiction, to produce his or their licence or licences granted under this Act and to produce or
account for the arms and ammunition described therein.
(3) Any power which a senior police officer or an Officer in Charge of a Police District is
by this section empowered to authorize to be exercised by a police officer not below the rank of
corporal may be exercised in person by a senior police officer or by an Officer in Charge of a
Police District.
(4) Any arms or ammunition produced to or discovered by a police officer in any State
under this section may, if the Chief Police Officer, for reasons of public safety to be duly
recorded by him, so directs, be detained by the police for any period not exceeding one month.
(5) Any person who—
(a) fails to forward any return required by any order made under subsection (1)
within the specified time;
(b) forwards any return required by any order made under subsection (1) which
contains any false statement or omission; or
(c) fails to account satisfactorily to an officer authorized by or under subsection (2)
for any arms or ammunition described in any licence issued to him during the
period for which the licence is in force or after its expiry, suspension or
cancellation,
shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine
not exceeding five hundred ringgit, or to both.
27. Deposit of arms and ammunition at police station
(1) Any person whose possession of any arms or ammunition has become unlawful in
consequence of the expiry, suspension or revocation of a licence or permit shall, without
unnecessary delay, deposit the arms or ammunition at the nearest police station.
(2) Subject to any regulations made under this Act, if the owner of any arms or ammunition
deposited at any police station does not, within six months from the date of deposit, produce a
licence authorizing him to possess the same and apply for the delivery thereof, the arms or
ammunition shall be forfeited.
(3) Every person licensed to possess arms or ammunition under this Act shall, upon leaving
Malaysia for any period exceeding three months, unless he exports the arms or ammunition on so
leaving—
(a) deposit the same with any person who holds a valid permit in respect of the same;
(b) transfer the same to some person authorized under section 11 to take delivery
thereof; or
(c) deposit the same for safe keeping at a police station.
28. Lost, destroyed, etc. licences and permits
If any licence or permit granted under this Act is destroyed, defaced, mutilated or lost, the person
named therein may, on application to any officer authorized to issue the licences or permits and
on satisfying him that the application is made in good faith, obtain from him, on payment of the
prescribed fee, a new licence or permit in lieu of that destroyed, defaced mutilated or lost.
29. Where licensee under disability
(1) If a person licensed to deal in or to repair arms or ammunition or to import or to export
arms or ammunition or to manufacture arms or ammunition dies or becomes insolvent or
bankrupt or mentally disordered or otherwise subject to any disability, the person carrying on the
business of the licensee shall not be liable to any penalty or forfeiture for acting under the
licence during such reasonable time as may be necessary to allow him to make application for a
new licence.
(2) Such person shall be deemed to be the holder of such licence for all purposes under this
Act, and to be liable in the same way as if he were the original holder thereof, until a new licence
is granted or refused.
30. Refusal and revocation of licences and permits
(1) A Chief Police Officer may, or any police officer having authority to grant or issue any
licence or permit under this Act by virtue of any delegation of the power to him under section 57
may with the approval of the Chief Police Officer having jurisdiction over him,—
(a) refuse any application for the grant of a licence or permit without assigning any
reason therefor;
(b) refuse any application for the renewal of, or revoke or suspend, any licence or
permit granted under this Act for reasons of public safety or other grounds to be
duly recorded by him.
(2) Where any licence or permit is revoked or suspended the person in possession thereof
shall without delay deliver the same up to the nearest police station.
(3) Every licence or permit shall be held subject to such conditions or restrictions as may
be prescribed and as the officer granting the licence or permit may impose and endorse thereon.
(4) Any person dissatisfied by any refusal to grant or renew a licence or permit, or with any
condition imposed thereon by the officer granting the licence or permit, or by any revocation or
suspension of the licence or permit, may within one month of the date of the refusal, imposition,
revocation or suspension, appeal in writing to the Minister, whose decision shall be final and
conclusive.
31. Minister’s power to order revocation of licences and permits
The Minister may order the revocation of any arms licence or arms permit without giving any
reason therefor.
PART III
OTHER OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND PROCEEDINGS
32. Penalty for use and possession of arms and imitation arms in certain cases
(1) (a) If any person makes or attempts to make any use whatsoever of an arm or
imitation arm with intent to resist or prevent the lawful apprehension or detention of himself or
any other person, he shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for life or for a term not
exceeding fourteen years.
(b) Where any person commits an offence under this subsection in respect of the
lawful apprehension or detention of himself for any other offence committed by
him, he shall be liable to the penalty provided by this subsection in addition to
any penalty to which he may be sentenced for that other offence.
(2) If any person, at the time of his committing, or at the time of his apprehension for, any
offence specified in the First Schedule has in his possession any arm or imitation arm, he shall,
unless he shows that he had it in his possession for a lawful purpose, be liable, on conviction, to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years in addition to any penalty to which he may be
sentenced for the offence specified in the said Schedule.
(3) If on the trial of any person for an offence under subsection (1) the court is not satisfied
that the person is guilty of that offence, but is satisfied that he is guilty of an offence under
subsection (2), the court may find him guilty of the offence under the said subsection (2), and
thereupon he shall be liable to be punished accordingly.
33. Possession of arms and ammunition for unlawful purpose
Any person who has in his possession, custody or control or carries any arm or ammunition in
circumstances which raise a reasonable presumption that he has used or intends or is about to use
the arm or ammunition for any unlawful purpose or that the arm or ammunition is likely to be
used for any unlawful purpose shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand
ringgit, or to both, and shall also be liable to whipping.
34. Carrying a firearm while drunk or disorderly
Any person who is drunk, or who behaves in a disorderly manner, while carrying an arm shall,
on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to a fine not
exceeding one thousand ringgit, or to both.
35. Loss of firearms or ammunition
Any person lawfully authorized to be in possession of or to have in his custody or under his
control any arm or ammunition shall, if the same or any part thereof be lost or stolen, be liable,
on conviction, unless he can prove that he took all reasonable precautions against the loss or
theft, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to a fine not exceeding one thousand
ringgit, or to both.
36. Possession of and importation of imitation arms
(1) Any person who shall import or have in his possession or custody an imitation arm
shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to a fine not
exceeding five thousand ringgit, or to both:
Provided that it shall not constitute an offence under this section—
(a) for a person under the age of fourteen years to possess an imitation arm; or
(b) for any person to import or be in possession of an imitation arm under and in
accordance with a licence, in such form as may be prescribed, issued by the Chief
Police Officer of the State in which the person resides or, in the case of a person
importing the arms in the ordinary course of business, in which he carries on
business..
(2) It shall be lawful for a Magistrate upon the request in writing of a Chief Police Officer
to order that any imitation arm be destroyed by the police, whether any person has been or could
be convicted of any offence against this or not; and no compensation shall be payable in respect
of any destruction under this subsection.
(3) No prosecution under this section shall be commenced without the consent of the Public
Prosecutor.
37. Causing injury with an arm without lawful excuse
Any person who discharges an arm and injures any person thereby, whether fatally or not, shall,
unless he satisfies the court that he had some lawful justification or excuse for causing such
injury or that he took all reasonable precautions to ensure that no person was injured by such
discharge, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to a
fine not exceeding five thousand ringgit, or to both.
38. Provisions as to shortening arms and converting imitation arms
(1) No person, other than a licensed arms dealer having the prior written consent of the
Chief Police Officer of the State in which the dealer carries on business, shall shorten a barrel of
any arm.
(2) No person shall convert into an arm anything which, prior to the conversion, is so
constructed as to be incapable of discharging any missile through the barrel thereof.
(3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall for each offence, on conviction,
be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years, or to a fine not exceeding ten
thousand ringgit, or to both.
(4) Any person who has in his possession an arm which has been shortened without the
written consent referred to in subsection (1), or an arm which had been converted, as aforesaid,
shall be liable to the penalty provided in subsection (3).
39. Arms not to be discharged except at shooting range, etc.
No person shall discharge an arm—
(a) except at a place permitted in writing to be used as a shooting range by the Chief
Police Officer of the State where the place is situated;
(b) except for the protection of life or property;
(c) unless he is authorized under any written law relating to the protection of wild life
to shoot, kill or hunt wild animals or birds and is acting under such authorization;
or
(d) unless he is a member of the armed forces, or a police officer or other person
engaged in the performance of police duties in accordance with any written law,
and is acting within the course of his duty.
40. Finding of arms or ammunition
Any person who finds any arm or ammunition shall forthwith report such finding to the police.
41. Abetment and attempt
Whoever abets the commission of any offence punishable under this Act or any regulations made
thereunder, or attempts to commit any such offence and in the attempt does any act towards the
commission of the same, shall be liable to the same penalty as if he had committed the offence.
42. Offences by bodies of persons, servants and agents
(1) Where an offence against this Act or any regulations made thereunder has been
committed by a company, firm, society or other body of persons, any person who at the time of
the commission of the offence was a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer or a
partner of the company, firm, society or other body of persons or was purporting to act in that
capacity shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence unless he proves that the offence was
committed without his consent or connivance and that he exercised all such diligence to prevent
the commission of the offence as he ought to have exercised, having regard to the nature of his
functions in that capacity and to all the circumstances.
(2) Where any person would be liable under this Act to any punishment, penalty or
forfeiture for any act, omission, neglect or default he shall be liable to the same punishment,
penalty or forfeiture for every such act, omission, neglect or default of any clerk, servant or
agent, or of the clerk or servant of the agent, provided that the act, omission, neglect or default
was committed by the clerk or servant in the course of his employment, or by the agent when
acting on behalf of that person, or by the clerk or servant of the agent when acting in the course
of his employment in such circumstances that had the act, omission, neglect or default been
committed by the agent his principal would have been liable under this section.
43. General penalty
Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this Act or any regulations
made thereunder, and for which no special penalty is provided, shall, on conviction, be liable to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to a fine not exceeding two thousand ringgit,
or to both.
44. Rewards to informers
In case of a conviction involving a fine under any section of this Act or under any regulations
made thereunder it shall be lawful for the court inflicting the fine to direct, on the application of
the prosecution, that any part thereof, not exceeding one-half—
(a) shall be paid to any person who has given such information to the police as has
led to the conviction of the offender or offenders; or
(b) shall be divided, in such proportions as the court may direct, among any persons
who have given such information.
45. Presumption
(1) Every person who is proved to have had in his possession or under his control anything
whatever containing any arms, ammunition or imitation arms shall, until the contrary is proved,
be deemed to have been in possession of the arms, ammunition or imitation arms.
(2) Every occupier of any house or premises in which any arms, ammunition or imitation
arms are found shall for the purposes of this Act be deemed, until the contrary is proved, to have
been in possession of those arms, ammunition or imitation arms.
46. Jurisdiction of Courts
The President of a Sessions Court shall have power to impose the full penalty or punishment,
other than the death penalty, provided by this Act.
PART IV
SEARCH, SEIZURE AND ARREST
47. Search for arms or ammunition under warrant
(1) A Magistrate, a senior police officer or an Officer in Charge of a Police District, on
being satisfied upon written information and after any enquiry which he may think necessary
that—
(a) any person residing within the limits of his jurisdiction—
(i) has in his possession, custody or control any arms or ammunition in
contravention of this Act or of any licence or permit in respect thereof; or
(ii) has in his possession, custody or control any arms or ammunition whereof
he cannot be left in possession without danger to the public peace; or
(b) any arms or ammunition are in or on any house, premises or other building or
place or any vessel, aircraft or vehicle, in contravention of this Act or of any
licence or permit issued thereunder,
may by warrant authorize any person therein named or any police officer with such assistance
and by such force as may be necessary by night or by day—
(A) to enter or board and search any house, premises or other building or place, or any
vessel, aircraft or vehicle, specified in the warrant and to search all persons found
therein or thereon;
(B) to seize and detain any arms or ammunition found as a result of the search; and
(C) to arrest any person found in or on the house, premises or other building or place,
or on the vessel, aircraft or vehicle, whom the officer has reasonable grounds for
suspecting to be about to commit or to be committing or to have committed any
offence against this Act.
(2) Whoever, upon a search being made under this section, having in his possession,
custody or control any arms or ammunition or knowing where any arms or ammunition are
concealed, refuses to produce or point out the same to the person making the search, or
intentionally conceals the same, shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding seven years, or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit, or to both.
(3) No woman shall be searched under this section except by a woman.
48. Search warrant against persons
(1) A Magistrate, a senior police officer or an Officer in Charge of a Police District, on
being satisfied upon information and after any enquiry which he may think necessary that there
is good reason to believe that any arms or ammunition are likely to be found on any person in
contravention of this Act or of any licence or permit issued thereunder may by warrant under his
hand order any police officer to arrest and search the person, or may by warrant under his hand
order any person therein named to arrest the person and to take him forthwith before any
Magistrate or senior police officer or Officer in Charge of a Police District, who shall thereupon
cause the person to be searched in his presence; and if any arms or ammunition are found upon
the person he shall be taken before a Magistrate to be dealt with according to law.
(2) No woman shall be searched under this section except by a woman.
49. Entry and search by Magistrate, etc.
(1) Whenever a Magistrate, a senior police officer or an Officer in Charge of a Police
District is competent to issue a warrant under section 47 or 48 he may himself exercise all the
powers which may be conferred on a police officer under the section; and he may also exercise
all such powers in any of the following cases:
(a) in respect of any person who has within the preceding six months been convicted
of any offence against this Act or any regulations made thereunder;
(b) if he has personal knowledge of such facts and circumstances as satisfy him that
there are sufficient grounds for a search under the said sections respectively; or
(c) if he receives the required information orally, and either on oath or not on oath,
under such circumstances that the object of a search would, in his opinion, be
defeated by the delay necessary for reducing the information to writing: provided
that in such event the name and address of the person giving the information are
known to or ascertained by the Magistrate or senior police officer or Officer in
Charge of a Police District, before he acts upon the information.
(2) Whoever in giving such oral information makes a statement which he knows or believes
to be false or does not believe to be true shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit, or to both.
50. Entry on place where arms or ammunition are used
Any police officer may enter and remain on any land or premises other than a dwelling-house at
and for such time as may be reasonably necessary to enable him to ascertain whether a person
carrying or using any arms or ammunition on the land or premises has a licence or permit in that
behalf.
51. Search of trains, vessels, aircraft and vehicles
(1) If—
(a) any train, vessel or aircraft in any port or place in Malaysia is suspected of having
on board any article the importation or exportation of which is absolutely
prohibited by a notification under section 21 and which is not exempted by this
Act or by any special permit thereunder, or any such article is suspected to be in
or on any vehicle in any such place; or
(b) any train, vessel or aircraft about to leave any port or place in Malaysia bound for
any particular country, territory or place is suspected of having on board any
article the exportation of which to that country, territory or place is so prohibited
and which is not exempted as aforesaid, or any such article is suspected to be in
or on any vehicle about to leave any such place, the Officer in Charge of the
Police District in which the said port or place is situate may issue a search warrant
directed to any boarding officer or boarding officers or any police officer not
below the rank of sergeant in such warrant named or referred to.
(2) In the execution of such warrant any person to whom such warrant is directed may with
or without assistance—
(a) detain and board any train, vessel or aircraft in such warrant named or described;
(b) forcibly enter every part of such train, vessel or aircraft; and
(c) arrest any person reasonably suspected of being guilty of an offence against this
Act.
(3) If upon any search made under this section—
(a) any article the importation or exportation of which is absolutely prohibited by any
notification under section 21 and which is not exempted by this Act or by any
special permit thereunder is found on board any train, vessel or aircraft or in or on
any vehicle; or
(b) any article the exportation of which to any particular country, territory or place is
so prohibited and which is not exempted as aforesaid is found on board any train,
vessel or aircraft or in or on any vehicle about to leave any port or place for that
country, territory or place,
it shall be presumed, unless and until the contrary is proved, that the article was attempted to be
imported or exported, as the case may be, contrary to this Act, and the train, vessel, aircraft or
vehicle may be detained for the purpose of removing any such article, and the same may be
removed therefrom.
52. Power to stop and search for arms, etc., in the street
(1) It shall be lawful for any police officer to stop and to search for arms, ammunition or
imitation arms any person whom he may find in any street or other public place at any hour of
the day or night who acts in a suspicious manner or whom he may suspect of having any arms,
ammunition or imitation arms in his possession.
(2) No woman shall be searched under this section except by a woman.
53. Seizures and forfeitures
(1) All arms and ammunition in respect of which there has been any offence against this
Act or any regulation made thereunder, or any restriction or condition subject to or upon which
any licence or permit has been granted, shall be seized by any police officer or proper officer of
customs and, together with the receptacles containing the same, shall be liable to forfeiture by
order of a President of a Sessions Court or a Magistrate:
Provided that a President of a Sessions Court or a Magistrate may order the arms and
ammunition or the receptacles to be released and to be delivered to such person as shall be
named in the order, whether or not any person has been convicted of the offence.
(2) All arms and ammunition which may be found without an apparent owner shall be
seized by any police officer and if, after such notice as a Magistrate may direct, no owner
appears, the same may by order of a Magistrate be forfeited.
54. Persons conveying arms or ammunition may be apprehended without warrant
(1) If any person is found carrying or conveying any arms or ammunition in such a manner
or under such circumstances as to afford reasonable grounds for suspicion that the same may be
used for any unlawful purpose dangerous to the public peace, any person may, without warrant,
apprehend the person so found and detain him in custody.
(2) If any person is apprehended by a person who is not a police officer, he shall be
forthwith taken to the nearest or other police station or handed over to a police officer.
55. Arrest by police without warrant
Any police officer may arrest without warrant any person found committing or attempting to
commit or employing, aiding or assisting any person to commit an offence under section 3,
subsection 7(2), 9(1), section 12, subsection 15(1), 19(1), 22(1), section 24, subsection 25(2),
paragraph 32(1)(a), section 34, subsection 36(1), section 37, subsection 38(4), section 39, 40 or
subsection 47(2).
56. Persons arrested to be taken to police station
Every person arrested by virtue of any power given by this Act shall, together with any article as
to which any offence may have been committed or attempted to be committed, be taken to a
police station and conveyed, as soon as conveniently may be, before a Sessions Court or the
Court of a Magistrate to be dealt with according to law.
PART V
GENERAL
57. Power of Chief Police Officer to delegate
A Chief Police Officer may, by notification in the Gazette, delegate—
(a) to any senior police officer or an Officer in Charge of a Police District, either by
name or office, the exercise of all the powers or the performance of all the duties
vested in or conferred or imposed upon the said Chief Police Officer by this Act,
or of such of the powers or duties aforesaid as he may specify in the notification;
(b) to any superior police officer, either by name or office, the exercise of all the
powers or the performance of all the duties vested in or conferred or imposed
upon the said Chief Police Officer and relating to the issue and renewal of any
licence or arms permit under this Act.
58. Fees
The fees specified in the Second Schedule shall, until rescinded or altered under section 59, be
charged in respect of the various matters and things enumerated in the said Schedule:
Provided that a Chief Police Officer or, in the case of licences issued by the Minister, the
Minister, may exempt any person from the payment of any fee payable under this Act.
59. Regulations
The Minister may from time to time make regulations for any of the following purposes:
(a) to rescind, alter or add to any of the fees or forms prescribed by or under this Act;
(b) to regulate the importation, exportation, landing, transhipping, transportation,
conveyance, manufacture, sale, and purchase of arms, ammunition and imitation
arms;
(c) to provide for the marking of arms and ammunition for the possession of which a
licence is issued;
(d) to regulate the manner in which applications for licences or permits shall be made
and to provide for the taking and recording of photographs and finger and thumb
prints of applicants for licences or permits;
(e) to regulate the conditions and restrictions on and subject to which licences and
permits shall be granted, the grant of licences and permits generally (including the
making of deposits or giving of security as a condition precedent for the grant
thereof), the grounds on which they may be suspended or cancelled, and the fees
payable therefor;
(f) to provide for the furnishing of information in respect of arms and ammunition by
persons in possession thereof;
(g) to direct by whom and in what manner fees payable under this Act are to be
collected and accounted for;
(h) to regulate the disposition, destruction or sale of articles forfeited under this Act,
or detained under section 26 or 47, or deposited under subsection 27(2) and (3);
and
(i) generally to give effect to this Act,
and may restrict the operation of any such regulations to particular States, districts or areas.
60. Minister’s powers to exempt
The Minister may from time to time by notification in the Gazette and either absolutely or
subject to such conditions as he may think fit, exempt any arms and ammunition, or classes of
arms and ammunition, or persons, or class or description of persons, within Malaysia or any part
of Malaysia, from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act, and may in like
manner vary or rescind any exemption so notified.
61. Repeal and saving
(1) The Enactments and Ordinances set out in the first and second columns of the Third
Schedule are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of the said Schedule.
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the said Enactments and Ordinances, any rule or
regulation made under the Arms Enactment of the Federated Malay States [Cap. 199], and in
force immediately before the 1st day of March 1962 shall, so far as it is not inconsistent with this
Act, be deemed to have been made under the corresponding provisions of this Act, and shall
continue in force until it has been revoked, amended or replaced by regulations made under this
Act, and shall apply and have effect throughout Malaysia.
First Schedule
[Subsection 32(2)]
PENALTY FOR USE AND POSSESSION OF ARMS AND IMITATION ARMS IN
CERTAIN CASES
(a) Offences under the following sections of the Penal Code [Act 574]:
143, 144, 145, 147, 148, 151, 152, 153, 157, 158, 224, 225, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 329,
330, 332, 333, 352, 353, 356, 357, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 376, 379, 380, 381, 382, 384, 385,
386, 387, 388, 389, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 399, 400, 401, 402, 430a, 431, 431a, 435, 436,
438, 440, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 506, 511.
(b) Offences under:
(i) paragraphs 28(i), (j), (k) and (l) of the Minor Offences Act 1955 [Act 336 ];
(ii) paragraphs 35(g), (h), (i) and (j) of the Minor Offences Ordinance of Sarawak [Cap.
56]; and
(iii) paragraphs 18(a), (c) and (e) and paragraphs 21(h), (i), (j) and (k) of the Minor
Offences Ordinance of Sabah [Cap. 80].
Second Schedule
[Section 58]
FEES
1. License to possess etc., arms and ammunition:
(a) For each air-gun, air-pistol and spear-gun … … RM 20.00
(b) For each smooth bore shotgun—
(i) for protection of cultivation on own land … … RM 2.00
(ii) for protection of cultivation and/or game hunting RM 10.00
(iii) for protection of cultivation and/or game hunting in Sabah and
Sarawak only … … … … RM 2.00
(iv) for commercial purposes, i.e, for security self/ or property
protection, etc. … … … … … RM 50.00
(v) for sports (for target shooting at authorized shooting range) … RM 50.00
(bb)For each smooth bore shotgun licensed to serving and retired public
officers and to any officer serving with any statutory body or local
government … … RM 10.00
(c) For each revolver/pistol—
(i) licensed to serving and retired police officers and members of the
armed forces … … … …Free
(ii) licensed to any serving or retired public officers (other than police
officers and members of the armed forces) and to any officers serving
with any statutory body or local government … … …RM 25.00
(iii) licensed to any other person … … … … RM 100.00
(d) For each carbine, rifle of any calibre and any other type of arm—
(i) licensed to serving and retired public officer, and to any officer
serving with any statutory body or local government … … … RM 25.00
(ii) licensed to any other person … … … … RM 100.00
(e)For each rifle of any calibre, smooth bore shotgun, revolver or pistol
licensed to any shooting club and is used solely for target shooting at an
authorized shooting range ........RM 10.00
(f)For each arm the property of a theatrical or circus company, which
arm and ammunition are to be bona fide used in performances to be
given by such company .......RM 20.00
(g)For each starting gun … … … … … … RM 2.00
(h)For each industrial gun … … … … … … RM 50.00
2. Permit to carry and use arms and ammunition:
(a) For each air-gun, air-pistol and spear-gun … … RM 20.00
(b) For each smooth bore shotgun—
(i) for protection of cultivation on own land … … RM 2.00
(ii) for protection of cultivation and/or game hunting RM.... 10.00
(iii) for protection of cultivation and/or game hunting in Sabah and
Sarawak only … … … RM 2.00
(iv) for commercial purposes, i.e. for security, self/or property
protection, etc. … … … …RM 50.00
(v) for sports (for target shooting at authorized shooting range) …RM 50.00
(bb) For each smooth bore shotgun licensed to serving and retired
public officers and to any officer serving with any statutory body or
local government … … … RM 10.00
(c)For each revolver/pistol—
(i) licensed to serving and retired police officers and members of the
armed forces … … … … Free
(ii) licensed to any serving or retired public officers (other than police
officers and members of the armed forces) and to any officers serving
with any statutory body or local government … … … RM 25.00
(iii) licensed to any other person … … … … RM 100.00
(d) For each carbine, rifle of any calibre and any other type of arm—
(i) licensed to serving and retired public officer, and to any officer
serving with any statutory body or local government … … … RM 25.00
(ii) licensed to any other person … … … … RM 100.00
(e) (i) for any or all rifles of any calibre licensed to the specified
shooting club and are used solely for target shooting at an authorized
shooting range provided the permit holder may carry and use only one
rifle at anytime ......RM 10.00
(ii) for any or all smooth bore shotguns licensed to the specified
shooting club and are used solely for target shooting at an authorized
shooting range provided the permit holder may carry and use only one
smooth bore shotgun at anytime … … RM 10.00
(iii) for any or all revolvers and pistols licensed to the specified
shooting club and are used solely for target shooting at an authorized
shooting range provided the permit holder may carry and use only one
revolver or pistol at anytime … … … RM 10.00
(f) For each starting gun … … … … … … RM 2.00
(g) For each industrial … … … … … … RM 50.00
(h) For any or all air guns, air pistols, revolvers, rifles of any calibre and
any other type of arms (including smooth bore shotguns) licensed to
specified security agency and are used solely for security and protection
purposes provided that the permit holder may carry and use not more
than ten of any of the said arms at anytime .......RM 100.00
3. Licence to purchase or obtain or transfer arms … … RM 10.00
4. Licence to purchase or obtain or transfer ammunition … RM 2.00
5.Licence to import arms and ammunition … … … RM 10.00
6. Licence to import imitation arms … … … … … RM 10.00
7. Licence to export arms and ammunitions … … … RM 10.00
8. Licence to deal in arms and ammunitions per annum … RM 500.00
9. Licence to deal in arms, per annum … … … … RM 450.00
10. Licence to deal in ammunition, per annum … … … RM 50.00
11. Licence to repair arms and ammunitions, per annum … RM 100.00
12. Licence to manufacture arms … … … … … Free
13. Licence to manufacture ammunition … … … … Free
14. Fee chargeable for new licence or permit under section 28, in lieu
of that destroyed, defaced, mutilated or lost ....RM 5.00
15. Fee for a combined licence to deal and repair arms and ammunition
under subsection 9(6) … … … … RM 600.00
16. Fee chargeable from a bona fide traveller for an interim licence for
each arm under subsection 15(4) … … … RM 20.00
17. Fee chargeable from a theatrical and circus companies for an
interim licence for each arm under subsection 15(5) ......RM 20.00
18. The fee to be charged for any annual licence which is issued
between the 1 January and the 30 June of the same year shall be
one-half of the annual fee.
