Arms and Ammunition Act in Nepal 2026 — Licence Guide

The Arms and Ammunition Act 2019 (Act No. 45 of 1962) governs civilian weapons in Nepal. The CDO at the DAO handles licences, MoHA prior approval applies to restricted categories, and no fixed processing time is established in the supplied material. If possession is disputed, our criminal case litigation team can advise on the next step.

Key Takeaways

Nepal’s civilian weapons regime combines the Arms and Ammunition Act 2019, Weapons Regulations 2028 and Penal Code 2074. The CDO at the DAO handles licensing, while MoHA approval applies to listed restricted weapons. Public-place limits and criminal penalties operate separately from the basic licence application process.

• The Arms and Ammunition Act 2019, also called Hatahatiyar Kharkhajana Ain 2019, is the main civilian arms statute.
• The licensing authority is generally the Chief District Officer (CDO) at the District Administration Office.
• MoHA prior approval is required for restricted categories, including pistols, revolvers and centre-fire rifles, according to the supplied material.
• The public-place restriction took effect on 19 September 2024 after a notification gazetted on 16 September 2024.
• Arms Act penalties include imprisonment and statutory fines. Penal Code Chapter 6 may also apply to possession, manufacture and trafficking.
• Foreign nationals generally need special written permission from the Government of Nepal to possess arms.

What does the Arms and Ammunition Act in Nepal regulate?

The Arms and Ammunition Act 2019 regulates civilian possession, licensing, ammunition and conditions attached to weapons in Nepal. The Nepal Law Commission text is the primary statutory reference. The companion Weapons Regulations 2028, including its 10th Amendment, add the working licensing framework.

The Act is commonly searched as the arms and ammunition act nepal, Nepal gun law or Hatahatiyar Kharkhajana Ain. Those phrases point to the same broad subject, but they do not describe one simple permission to own or carry any weapon. For 2026, or 2083 BS, the key legal question is not only whether a weapon exists or was once registered. You must also examine its category, the licence terms, the person named on the licence, the place where it is being carried and any separate approval requirement.

Legal source or authority	Role in the arms regime	Practical question
Arms and Ammunition Act 2019	Core civilian arms and ammunition law	What conduct, weapon or licence condition is regulated?
Weapons Regulations 2028	Regulatory framework, including the 10th Amendment 2078	What application or category rule may apply?
CDO at the DAO	Civilian licensing authority identified in the supplied material	Where should the applicant present the licence request?
Penal Code 2074, Chapter 6	Parallel criminal provisions in Sections 129-137	Could possession, manufacture or trafficking create a criminal charge?

Why does an arms licence matter even if the weapon is registered?

A registered weapon is not automatically lawful in every situation. The licence may identify the holder, weapon category and conditions of use, while the 2024 public-place notification restricts carrying in listed places. An expired or breached licence can create separate criminal risk, so registration history alone is not enough.

A licence is permission within stated limits. It is not a general right to carry a gun through public places, transfer it informally to a family member or keep it after renewal problems without checking the position. The current material identifies three recurring risk patterns: a licence has lapsed but the holder keeps the weapon; a licensed weapon is carried in a prohibited public place; or a family-inherited weapon is never transferred onto the heir’s licence. Each situation needs its own factual review.

Who can hold an arms licence in Nepal?

The supplied material identifies Nepali citizens aged at least 21 years as the civilian applicant position, while also recording practitioner references to 18. Applicants are described as needing citizenship, a clear criminal record, police clearance, medical fitness and a legitimate purpose. Because the age references conflict, verify eligibility with the DAO or CDO.

The potential purposes described in the material include personal protection, hunting, sports or shooting and organisational security. The purpose matters because the weapon category and licence conditions may differ. The current article material also refers to a valid citizenship certificate, no criminal convictions, a Police Clearance Certificate and a medical certificate. These points should not be treated as a guarantee of approval. The CDO can examine the purpose, category and other facts before deciding whether the application proceeds. A business or organisation should also avoid assuming that an employee’s personal licence covers an organisation’s weapon. Organisational security is treated as a distinct category in the supplied material, with separate attention to inventory and the person to whom the weapon is issued.

How do you apply for a CDO arms licence?

A CDO arms licence application begins at the District Administration Office using the relevant arms-licence form. The applicant identifies the weapon and purpose, supplies the requested supporting material, and submits the file for CDO consideration. For pistols, revolvers and centre-fire rifles, the DAO forwards the matter for MoHA prior approval before issue.

The process should be understood as a sequence, not as an automatic registration:

1. Identify the weapon category and purpose. Confirm whether the request concerns personal protection, hunting, sport, organisational security or another stated category.
2. Verify the receiving office. The supplied material identifies the DAO and CDO as the civilian licensing route. Confirm the relevant district office before preparing the file.
3. Complete the applicable form. Use the arms-licence form or renewal form required by the receiving office. Do not rely on an old copy without checking it.
4. Prepare the supporting material. The current material refers to citizenship, police clearance, medical fitness, photographs, purpose and secure storage information.
5. Submit the application to the DAO. The CDO or office may examine the weapon category, purpose, applicant and supporting information.
6. Allow for the approval route that applies. Restricted categories require MoHA prior approval according to the supplied material. If approval is granted, the CDO handles the civilian licence process; no outcome is guaranteed.
7. Follow the licence conditions and renewal position. Check the validity period, renewal date and carrying restrictions stated by the office before possessing or transporting the weapon.

There is no official fixed processing time established in the supplied material. A restricted application has an additional MoHA stage, but that does not create a guaranteed number of days. You should verify the current position at the DAO before making travel, purchase or security arrangements.

What documents and information should an applicant prepare?

The current material identifies citizenship documents, a recent Police Clearance Certificate, a medical fitness certificate, passport photographs, a written purpose or justification and information about secure storage. It also refers to the applicable licence charge. The exact checklist is not settled in the supplied material, so verify every requirement with the receiving DAO.

The documents described for a new application include:

• Citizenship certificate, including the original and copies as requested;
• A recent Police Clearance Certificate;
• Medical fitness information or certificate;
• Passport-size photographs;
• A written explanation of the purpose, such as self-defence, hunting, sport or security;
• Information or proof concerning secure, lockable storage; and
• The applicable government charge or payment evidence requested by the office.

A renewal file may not be identical to a new application. The supplied sources include a DAO renewal form, but one district form should not automatically be treated as a national checklist for every district or weapon category. Confirm whether the office wants the original licence, updated police or medical documents, photographs or other information. The same caution applies to a foreign national, organisation, inherited weapon or restricted category. Those cases can raise additional questions that a basic personal-licence checklist does not answer.

How does MoHA approval affect weapon categories?

MoHA prior approval applies to restricted categories identified in the supplied material, including pistols, revolvers and centre-fire rifles. The DAO or CDO remains the civilian licensing contact, but the restricted file requires an additional Ministry of Home Affairs stage. The material describes some air guns, .22 rifles and 12-bore shotguns as DAO-level examples.

These examples should not be used as a substitute for a current classification decision. The description of a weapon, its firing system, calibre and intended use can affect the route. The practical distinction is this:

• DAO-level examples: the supplied material describes air guns, .22 rifles and 12-bore shotguns as categories that can be cleared at DAO level.
• MoHA approval examples: pistols, revolvers and centre-fire rifles are identified as requiring prior approval.
• Organisational security: the material describes licensed firms, organisational weapons, CDO and MoHA involvement, and issue to particular guards.
• Government or military issue: police, Army and APF service weapons are described as non-civilian and subject to service rules rather than the ordinary civilian route.

The word “can” matters here. A category description does not guarantee that an office will approve an application or accept the applicant’s classification. Give the office the exact weapon details before relying on a DAO-only route.

What timeline applies to an arms licence application?

No fixed processing time is established in the supplied material for a new arms licence or renewal. A DAO-level matter and a restricted category requiring MoHA prior approval may follow different stages. Renewal is described as annual or short-cycle in most categories, but you should verify the exact validity and renewal date.

The absence of a stated timeline matters. A CDO arms licence should not be planned around an online article promising approval in a particular number of days. The office may need to examine the applicant, weapon type, purpose and supporting information. For restricted categories, the extra MoHA stage can affect the sequence. That does not establish a guaranteed completion date. If you need the licence for a business, security arrangement, travel or event, check the position with the DAO before making commitments.

What is the 2024 public-place restriction on licensed weapons?

The MoHA notification gazetted on 16 September 2024 and effective on 19 September 2024 restricts licensed weapons in listed public places. The supplied material links the power to designate prohibited areas with Section 8 of the Arms and Ammunition Act. A separate travel permit may be needed outside the home.

The listed places include:

• Government offices and courts;
• Hospitals and schools;
• Airports, shopping malls and cinemas;
• Public transport;
• Religious and archaeological sites;
• Public gatherings; and
• Children’s homes.

The restriction is significant because a person may hold a valid licence and still breach the carrying rule by entering a listed place with the weapon. The current material states that breach can lead to revocation and Penal Code charges. It also states that licence holders may not carry outside their homes without a separate travel permit. The supplied material does not settle the issuing authority, form or validity of that separate travel permit. Verify those details with the DAO or MoHA rather than assuming that the ordinary arms licence is enough.

What weapons are prohibited under Nepal gun law?

The supplied material identifies automatic weapons, machine guns, assault rifles, cannons, hand grenades and rockets as prohibited military-grade arms for civilian possession. Explosives are addressed separately under the Explosive Substances Act 2018. MoHA may add categories by notification, so a licence application does not legalise a prohibited weapon.

The weapon’s label is not always enough to decide its legal category. A firearm described informally as a rifle, sporting weapon or security weapon may need technical classification. Obtain the office’s position before purchasing, importing, transferring or storing it. The material also refers to aggravated treatment for nuclear, chemical, biological and toxin arms under Penal Code Chapter 6, with imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to NPR 200,000. Those figures concern a serious criminal category, not an ordinary licence charge.

What penalties apply to illegal arms possession in Nepal?

The Arms and Ammunition Act 2019 sets graduated penalties in Sections 20-23. Military-grade arms carry 3-7 years’ imprisonment and NPR 60,000-140,000; other unauthorised arms carry 3-5 years and NPR 60,000-100,000. Unauthorised ammunition carries 1-3 years and NPR 20,000-60,000.

The penalty position described in the supplied material is:

Conduct or category	Arms Act range	Additional Penal Code position
Military-grade arms, including cannons or machine guns	3-7 years and NPR 60,000-140,000	Separate criminal provisions may also be relevant
Other unauthorised arms	3-5 years and NPR 60,000-100,000	Section 132 illegal possession may carry up to 10 years
Unauthorised ammunition	1-3 years and NPR 20,000-60,000	Charge depends on the facts and alleged conduct
Licence-condition breach	Up to 1 year and a fine of up to NPR 20,000	Public-place conduct may create further issues
Unlicensed manufacture	Separate criminal offence	Penal Code material states up to 15 years
Trafficking or cross-border movement	Separate criminal offence	Penal Code material states up to 15 years plus confiscation

The Penal Code 2074 applies through Chapter 6, Sections 129-137. Section 132 addresses illegal possession and carries up to 10 years according to the supplied material. The material warns that Arms Act and Penal Code charges can operate in parallel. The exact charge depends on the weapon, documents, conduct, location and evidence.

Can a foreign national or NRI hold an arms licence in Nepal?

A foreign national cannot ordinarily possess arms in Nepal without special written permission from the Government of Nepal under the Act and Regulations. The supplied material applies this position to long-term visa holders, foreign businesspeople, NRIs and diplomats outside diplomatic security channels. Embassy security arrangements are treated separately.

A person’s label is not enough to decide the route. An NRN or Nepali citizen living abroad may have a different citizenship position from a non-citizen. Confirm the person’s citizenship, immigration status and any written permission before possessing, transporting or arranging a weapon in Nepal. The supplied material does not establish the application form, authority, validity or conditions for special written permission. Those details should be verified with the relevant government office. A foreign national should not assume that a visa, business registration or long stay creates a civilian arms entitlement. For someone who cannot attend Nepal personally for a related legal matter, the guide to filing a case from abroad in Nepal may provide useful general context. It does not replace confirmation of the arms-law permission route.

What happens when an arms licence expires or a condition is breached?

The current material warns that continued possession after a licence has lapsed may be treated as unlicensed possession. It describes renewal as annual or short-cycle in most categories, but gives no single validity period for every weapon. A condition breach may attract up to one year and NPR 20,000 under the Arms Act.

Do not wait until after the licence date to check renewal. The exact renewal window, form, supporting documents and current government charge should be verified with the DAO. The office may treat a new application and a renewal differently. A licence holder should also check location restrictions before carrying the weapon. A valid licence does not remove the 2024 public-place restriction. If the licence has expired, the weapon has changed hands or the weapon is being moved, obtain advice before taking further action.

What common mistakes create arms-law risk?

Common risks include treating a licence as permission to carry everywhere, ignoring the renewal date, transferring an inherited weapon informally, and assuming every firearm follows the same DAO route. Old online fee or document lists can also mislead. If papers are questioned, document-related criminal issues may arise alongside the arms allegation.

Avoid these assumptions:

• A licence automatically covers all public places;
• A family member can keep an inherited weapon without a transfer or licence review;
• A lapsed licence continues unchanged until the office sends a reminder;
• A .22 rifle, pistol, shotgun or air gun follows the same approval route; or
• A private document, receipt or informal family agreement settles lawful possession.

If the issue includes forged papers, altered records or disputed ownership documents, read our guide on document fraud and forgery law in Nepal for related criminal-law context. That guide cannot determine the arms-law position in your particular case.

What does an inherited-weapon scenario look like in Nepal?

Illustratively, a person may receive a family weapon after a relative dies, keep it at home and later discover that the old licence was never transferred to the heir. If the licence also lapses, the facts may raise possession, transfer and renewal issues. This example predicts no charge or outcome.

The person should not assume that family ownership solves the licensing problem. The current article material specifically identifies inherited weapons that were never transferred onto the heir’s licence as a risk pattern. The sensible first step is to gather the old licence, weapon details, ownership history and any notice from the authority. Then verify the correct position with the DAO or qualified legal counsel. Do not move, sell or carry the weapon based only on a family understanding.

What alternatives and edge cases should you consider?

The licensing analysis changes with the purpose and person involved. Hunting, sports shooting, personal protection and organisational security are described as separate civilian purposes, while police, Army and APF weapons follow service arrangements. Foreign nationals, inherited weapons, restricted categories and explosives require separate verification.

The main edge cases are:

• Sports or shooting: use may be limited by the applicable category and conditions.
• Hunting: the supplied material refers to designated areas and registered hunters, but the current article does not establish a complete hunting checklist.
• Organisational security: the organisation, inventory and individual guard issue may all matter.
• Government or military weapons: service issue is not the same as a civilian arms licence.
• Explosives: explosives fall under the separate Explosive Substances Act 2018 rather than being treated as ordinary ammunition.
• Foreign nationals: special written Government permission is the stated exception to the general position.

Where a weapon has been seized, a person has been called by police or the DAO, or a criminal case has been threatened, do not assume that an ordinary licence application will solve the matter. Preserve the licence, notices and related records, and obtain case-specific advice through a lawyer familiar with criminal law in Nepal.

What should you do after an arms allegation or seizure?

After an arms allegation or seizure, identify the weapon, licence status, location, notice and alleged conduct before responding. The relevant facts may involve the Arms Act, Penal Code Chapter 6, the 2024 notification or all three. A lawyer can advise on communication with the police, DAO, CDO or court without promising release or dismissal.

Start by preserving:

• The original arms licence and renewal records;
• Citizenship and police-clearance documents used in the application;
• Any notice, seizure memo, summons or charge document;
• Weapon identification, category and serial information; and
• Documents showing ownership, inheritance, organisation or prior permission.

Do not alter documents or give a casual explanation that conflicts with the licence record. The correct response depends on whether the allegation concerns possession, carrying, a public-place restriction, ammunition, manufacture, trafficking, an expired licence or forged documentation. The law is fact-sensitive. A person facing a criminal allegation should seek advice before making decisions about statements, transfer, storage or travel.

In short: Nepal’s arms licence system is controlled through the CDO and DAO, with MoHA prior approval for restricted categories. A licence does not authorise carrying in every public place. Expiry, inheritance, foreign nationality, ammunition and weapon classification can change the legal position. Statutory Arms Act and Penal Code penalties may apply together.

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This article is general legal information, not advice on a particular weapon or allegation. If you need help reviewing a licence, responding to an arms-related notice or assessing a criminal case, contact Alpine Law Associates and ask about our criminal case litigation service in Nepal.