‹ Back to the World airgun law map
Airgun law · World
Are Airguns Legal in eSwatini?
Yes, with conditions.
Generally legal, but with real rules to follow, usually age verification and, in some places, a low-power threshold.
Tier 3: Moderate
Threshold-based licensing: a permit-free band for low-power airguns, with a licence required above it.
SZ
The picture at a glance
Each measure below scores how restrictive eSwatini is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).
ClassificationTreated as firearm
Age ruleUnclear
PossessionLicence required
Transfer / saleVariable
TransportVariable
AuthorityUnclear
Before you buy or sell
- Airguns of .22 calibre and above are firearms and need a licence; airguns under .22 are exempt.
- Pointing an airgun of any calibre at a person is an offence (s.23(2)).
- Local interpretation matters.
The rules in detail
Classification
Treated as firearm
Arms and Ammunition Act, 1964 (as amended 1988): "firearm" covers any lethal barrelled weapon but expressly "does not include airgun of less than .22 calibre". Airguns of .22 calibre and above are firearms needing a licence; smaller-calibre airguns are outside the firearm definition.
Age rule
Unclear
Under-18s are disqualified from owning a firearm (s.11(4)), which covers .22-and-up airguns; no statutory age for sub-.22 airguns.
Possession
Licence required
Licence required for airguns of .22 calibre and above (they are firearms). Airguns under .22 need no licence, but pointing an airgun of any calibre at a person is an offence (s.23(2)).
Transfer / sale
Variable
Transfer/sale of firearms and ammunition is licence/certificate controlled. Treat high-power airgun transfer as requiring local confirmation.
Transport
Variable
Transport cased, unloaded, and documented. Avoid public carry/display.
Authority
Unclear
National Arms and Ammunition Act framework administered by police/licensing authorities.
Hunting with an airgun
Unresolved / verify locally.
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
Do not import an airgun without written customs/police confirmation. Airguns of .22 calibre and above are firearms under the Arms and Ammunition Act; airguns under .22 are outside the firearm definition.
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.