Purchasing hunting weapons in UAE? Here's what you need

The Ministry of Interior has identified the conditions for UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals to obtain permits to purchase weapons from the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex), at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).

Colonel Hamid Said Al Afrit, Head of the Weapons and Explosives Department at the Directorate General of the Security and Ports Affairs at Abu Dhabi Police, and Chairman of the Adihex Security Committee noted that citizens wishing to obtain weapons permits from the exhibition must bring an original and valid passport, an original family book, original identity cards, and relevant photocopies.

Furthermore, citizens must also submit their labour card, an original certificate of good conduct issued by the relevant authorities – which can be applied for electronically or inside the exhibition at the office provided by Abu Dhabi Police - in addition to a no objection certificate issued by the relevant authorities in each emirate.

Adding further, he explained that for GCC nationals, the manufacturer of the purchased weapon will export the firearm to the country of the buyer.
He stressed the committee’s keenness to grant licenses for hunting weapons in accordance with a deliberate method that ensures the ease and speed of delivery procedures, and to educate the collectors of these weapons.

He also indicated that these procedures and conditions embody the directives of police leadership to maintain the safety of their visitors and participants and to implement an advanced method to regulate the process of purchasing and selling weapons alongside following-up with arms suppliers.

Colonel Al Afrit additionally emphasised how the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ has taken the necessary precautions in providing the security measures needed to cope with the organisational requirements of Adihex.

Adihex ends today.