Dubai Firearm Rules: Simple Guide to Staying Legal

If you’re thinking about owning or carrying a gun in Dubai, you need to know the rules inside out. The UAE has strict weapon laws, and breaking them can mean heavy fines or jail time. Below you’ll find the most important points, broken down so you can understand what’s allowed, what’s not, and how to stay on the right side of the law.

Who Can Own a Gun in Dubai?

Only a few groups are allowed to have firearms. They include Emirati citizens, certain expat residents with special security jobs, and people who own shooting ranges or hunting clubs. If you work for a security firm or the police, you may get a permit as part of your job. Ordinary residents, tourists, and most expats are not eligible to own a gun at all.

Even if you belong to an eligible group, you still have to pass a background check, a medical exam, and a training course approved by the Ministry of Interior. The background check looks at criminal records, financial stability, and any past drug issues. The medical exam makes sure you’re physically fit to handle a weapon safely.

How to Get a Permit and Stay Legal

Getting a firearm permit in Dubai is a multi‑step process. First, submit an application to the Dubai Police with proof of why you need a gun – usually a security contract or a licensed hunting activity. Next, you’ll attend a mandatory safety course that covers handling, storage, and transportation of weapons. After you pass the course, the police will run your background and medical checks.

If everything checks out, you receive a permit that lists the exact type of firearm you can own, how many rounds you’re allowed to keep, and where you can store it. Permits are usually valid for five years, after which you must renew them and repeat the checks.

When you have a permit, you must store the gun in a locked safe that meets police specifications. The safe should be bolted to the floor or wall, and you need to keep a copy of the permit inside it. Carrying the gun in public is only allowed if you’re on duty for a security job or you have a special transport permit. In most cases, the gun stays at home and is only taken out for approved activities like hunting trips.

If you lose your permit, sell a gun, or move out of the country, you must inform the Dubai Police immediately. Failure to do so can lead to a fine of up to 50,000 AED or imprisonment.

Remember, the UAE also bans certain types of weapons outright, such as fully automatic rifles, high‑capacity magazines, and any weapon classified as a “military grade” firearm. Even with a permit, you cannot own these restricted items.

In short, owning a gun in Dubai is possible, but only for a very limited group of people and under strict conditions. Follow the application steps, keep your permits up to date, and always store the weapon safely. By doing that, you’ll avoid costly penalties and stay on the right side of Dubai’s firearm rules.