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Airgun law · World
Are Airguns Legal in Botswana?
Yes. Airguns are legal here for adults.
Free sale to adults with minimal or no national licensing, though local rules can still apply.
Tier 4: Permissive
Free sale to adults with minimal or no national licensing requirement.
BW
The picture at a glance
Each measure below scores how restrictive Botswana is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).
ClassificationUnclear
Age ruleAdult / unspecified
PossessionLicence required
Transfer / saleLicensed dealer process
TransportCased
AuthorityNational statute
The rules in detail
Classification
Unclear
Arms and Ammunition Act, 2018 (Act 19 of 2018), as amended by Act 13 of 2023. The 2023 amendment removed airguns, air rifles and air pistols from the definition of "firearm" (s.2, para (d)) and removed airgun pellets from "ammunition"; "firearm" now means a weapon firing a projectile by a burning propellant. Airguns are still defined in s.2 but are no longer firearms.
Age rule
Adult / unspecified
Adult; no airgun-specific age rule found. Airguns have been outside the firearm licence regime since the 2023 amendment.
Possession
Licence required
No firearm licence required for airguns since the 2023 amendment: the s.9 licence requirement applies to "firearms", which no longer include airguns. Confirm current police/customs practice before importing a high-power PCP.
Transfer / sale
Licensed dealer process
Through licensed dealers.
Transport
Cased
Cased.
Authority
National statute
National statute.
Hunting with an airgun
Unresolved: licensed quota hunting resumed after the 2014 suspension was lifted in May 2019, but airgun use for game was not confirmed.
Deer
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Turkey
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Small game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Predators
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Other big game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Import & travel
Local & import notes
Visitor procedure
Outfitter-managed paperwork is standard. Hunting bans periodically reinstated/lifted: verify current posture.
Keep exploring
This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.