FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION (MOVEMENT IN MEMBER STATES AND OTHER MATTERS) REGULATIONS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 480.01

FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION (MOVEMENT IN

MEMBER STATES AND OTHER MATTERS)

REGULATIONS

1st May, 2004

LEGAL NOTICE 56 of 2004, as amended by Legal Notices 366 and 463

of 2010, 392 of 2018, 121 of 2020, 34 of 2025 and 76 of 2026.

The title of these regulations is the Firearms and

Ammunition (Movement in Member States and other Matters)

Regulations.

L.N. 121 of 2020.

(Regulation 7A(1)(a))

Amended by

L.N. 34 of 2025.

Technical Specifications for the marking of Firearms and their

essential components

1. The font size used in the marking shall be at least 1.6

mm. A smaller font size may be used for the marking of essential

components that are too small to be marked in compliance with Article

4 of Directive 91/477/EEC.

1A. The minimum depth of the marking shall be at least

0,0762 millimetre.

2. For frames or receivers made from a non-metallic

material, the marking shall be applied to a metal plate that is

permanently embedded in the material of the frame or receiver in such

a way that

(a)

the plate cannot be easily or readily removed; and

(b)

removing the plate would destroy a portion of the

frame or receiver.

Provided that the Commissioner may authorise

the use of other techniques for marking the frames or receivers,

insofar as those techniques ensure an equivalent level of clarity

and permanence for the marking.

3. The alphabet used in the marking shall be Latin.

4. The numeral system used in the marking shall be Arabic.

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires

''the Act'' means the Arms Act;

''ammunition'' means that ammunition required for use in a

firearm;

''the Commissioner'' means the Commissioner Police;

''Member States'' are those states which are members of the

European Union as on the date of the coming into force of these

regulations;

''firearm'' has the same meaning assigned to it by article 2 of the

Act

Provided that for the purposes of regulation 7A ''firearm'' shall

mean any portable barrelled weapon that expels, is designed to

expel or may be converted to expel a shot, bullet or projectile by

the action of a combustible propellant;

''firearms pass'' is equivalent to a licence in terms of the Act and

such pass shall be applicable as between Member States, containing

such information as is listed in Schedule II of these regulations;

''possession'', for the purposes of these regulations, is the right of

a non-resident national of a Member State to keep, carry and use a

firearm in Malta for the purpose indicated in the firearm pass.

Amended by

(R EGULATION 9)

L.N. 121 of 2020.

FIREARMS PASS

The pass shall include the following sections

(a) identity of the holder;

(b) identification of the arm or firearm, including a reference to the

category within the meaning of the Council Directive 91/447/EEC of 18

June 1991 on Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons;

(c) period of validity of the pass;

(d) section for use by the Member State issuing the pass (type and

references of authorizations);

(e) section for entries by other Member States (authorizations to enter

territory);

(f)

the statements

The right to travel to another Member State with one or more

of the firearms classified in category A, B or C mentioned in this pass shall

be subject to one or more prior corresponding authorisations from the

Member State visited. Such authorisations may be recorded on the pass.

The prior authorisation referred to above is not in principle

necessary in order to travel with a firearm classified in category C with a

view to engaging in hunting or historical re-enactment activities or with a

firearm classified in category A, B or C for the purpose of taking part in

target shooting, on condition that the traveller is in possession of the

firearms pass and can establish the reason for the journey

Provided that where the Commissioner has received

information in accordance with Article 8(3) of Directive 91/477/EEC, that

the possession of certain firearms classified in category B or C is prohibited

or subject to authorisation in a Member State, he shall add whichever of the

following statements apply

"A journey to … (State(s) concerned) with the firearm …

(identification) shall be prohibited."

"A journey to … (State(s) concerned) with the firearm …

(identification) shall be subject to authorisation.

(1) A licence may be issued by the Commissioner to a

national of a Member State residing in a Member State other than

Malta, for the acquisition of a firearm or ammunition, for export to

the applicant’s country of residence provided such national -

(a) fulfils the conditions for the acquisition of a licence

under the Act;

(b) obtains authorization for the acquisition of the firearm

or ammunition from his country of residence;

(c) submits to the Commissioner all requested details

including the details listed in regulation 5(1) on the

prescribed form.

(2) The Commissioner shall, prior to authorising the

acquisition of a firearm or ammunition for transfer to another

Member State under the provisions of the Act, examine all

conditions for transfer, in particular with respect to security.

(1) A licence may be issued by the Commissioner to a

national of a Member State residing in a Member State other than

Malta for the possession of that firearm or ammunition in Malta,

provided such national

(a) fulfils the conditions for a licence under the Act;

(b) submits to the Commissioner a written declaration

testifying to, and justifying his intention to, possess

the firearm or ammunition in Malta.

(2) Where a licence for the acquisition and possession of

firearm or ammunition is issued in terms of this regulation, the

Commissioner shall inform the applicant’s country of residence.

(1) An application for a licence under the provisions of the

Act for the transfer of a firearm or ammunition to a Member State

shall include the following details

(a) the names and addresses of the person selling or

disposing of the firearm or ammunition and of the

person purchasing or acquiring it or, where

appropriate, of the owner;

(b) the address to which the firearm or ammunitions are to

be consigned or transported;

(c) the number of firearms to be consigned or transported;

(d) the particulars enabling the firearm or ammunition to

be identified and also an indication that the firearm has

undergone a check in accordance with the Convention

of the 1st July, 1969 on the Reciprocal Recognition of

Proofmarks on Small Arms;

(e) the means of transfer;

(f)

the date of departure and the estimated date of arrival.

(2) Before issuing the licence, the Commissioner shall examine

the conditions under which the transfer is to be carried out, in

particular with respect to security.

(3) The Commissioner shall include all the information

indicated in sub-regulation (1) in the licence, which licence shall

accompany the firearm or ammunition to the Member State of

destination and, where applicable, to the Member State of transit.

The licence shall be produced by the holder when and as required

Provided that the Commissioner shall also communicate the

relevant details to the Member States of destination and transit prior to

the transfer.

(1) The Commissioner may grant a licence to a dealer

licensed under the Act authorising the dealer to transfer firearms or

ammunition to dealers in other Member States without applying for

a licence under the provisions of the Act.

(2) A licence in accordance with the provisions of the Act may,

for the purposes of these regulations, be issued for a maximum period

of three (3) years and may be suspended or revoked by means of a

reasoned decision issued by the Commissioner at any time.

(3) The Commissioner shall notify dealers licensed under the

Act, with a list of firearms and ammunition notified to it by the

other Member States, which list shall indicate the firearms and

ammunition that can only be transferred to these Member States

with their prior authorisation.

(4) A dealer shall submit the information referred to in

regulation 5(1)(a) to (f) to the Commissioner in not less than ten (10)

working days prior to the transfer of a firearm to another Member

State in terms of this regulation.

(5) The Commissioner shall forward all information received

by him pursuant to subregulation (4) to the Member State of

destination or where applicable to the Member State of transit,

prior to the transfer.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the Act, a licence to

import a firearm or ammunition into Malta from another Member

State shall not be required where

(a) the transfer is licensed by the competent authority of

the Member State from where the firearm or

ammunition is transferred;

(b) the transfer takes place between a dealer established in

a Member State and a local dealer, and the former is

licensed by the competent authority in his state to

transfer firearms to other dealers in Member States,

without requiring specific authorisation for such

transfer

Provided that the aforementioned licences issued by the

competent authorities of the Member State from where the firearm

or ammunition is to be transferred, shall in the case of a transfer

under paragraph (a) contain all the details listed in regulation 5(1),

whilst in the case of transfers under paragraph (b), they shall

contain the details referred to in regulation 5(1)(a) to (f)

Provided further that the licence authorising its transfer

accompanies the firearm or ammunition transferred to Malta.

(1) With respect to firearms manufactured or imported in

Malta from outside the European Union on or after 14 September

2018, it shall be ensured that any such firearm, or any essential

component, placed on the market has been

(a) provided with a clear, permanent and unique

markingin accordance with the technical specifications

laid down in Schedule I of these regulations and any

relevant provisions of the Act and regulations without

delay after manufacture and at the latest before its

placement on the market, or without delay after its

importation in Malta from outside the European

Union; and

(b) registered in compliance with this Act without delay

after manufacture and at the latest before its placement

on the market, or without delay after its importation in

Malta from outside the European Union

Provided that item 1A of Schedule I shall only apply to

firearms and essential components placed on the market

for the first time on or after 22nd July 2025.

(2)

The unique marking referred to in sub-regulation (1) shall

include the name of the manufacturer or brand, the country or place

of manufacture, the serial number and the year of manufacture, if

not already part of the serial number, and the model where feasible.

This shall be without prejudice to the affixing of the manufacturer's

trademark. Where an essential component is too small to be marked

in compliance with this regulation, it shall be marked at least with a

serial number or an alphanumeric or digital code

Provided that no such marking shall be required for items

falling under Schedule II, Part I, items 7 and 8, Schedule II, Part II

and Schedule III, excluding item 2 of the Act

Provided further that no such marking shall be required for

firearms or essential components that are of particular historical

importance, as determined by the Commissioner in consultation with

the Weapons Board.

(3) The marking shall be affixed to an essential component of the

firearm, namely the breech-closing mechanism, the frame, receiver,

the chamber or the barrel of the firearm, the destruction of which

would render the firearm inoperable.

(4) Each package of complete ammunition shall be marked with

the name of the manufacturer, the identification batch number, the

calibre and the type of ammunition.

(5) Firearms transferred from government stocks to civilian

use shall be marked with the name of the transferring entity, MPF

MT, for arms transferred from the Police Force, AFM MT, for arms

transferred from the Armed Forces of Malta, and CF MT for arms

transferred from the Malta Prison Service. The year of transfer of

the firearms from government to civilian use shall also be marked

Provided that no such marking shall be required for items

falling under Schedule 2, Part 1, items 7 and 8, Schedule 2, Part 2

and Schedule 3 excluding item 2 of the Act

Provided further that no such marking shall be required for

antique, artistic, historical or rare firearms, as well as other firearms

deemed by the Weapons Board to be unsuitable for such marking.

(1) The Commissioner shall request an inspection of all

licences accompanying firearms and ammunition transferred to, or

from Malta to be carried out in accordance with these regulations. The

Commissioner shall also verify that the Member State of destination

has issued its prior consent in relation to the firearms and ammunition

in question.

(2) The Commissioner shall prohibit a transfer of a firearm to, or

from Malta where a licence is not so produced.

(1) The Commissioner shall, on an application made to

him on the prescribed form, issue a firearms pass to a licence

holder licensed under the Act.

(2) The firearms pass shall be valid for a period of five years

from date of issue but may be further extended for another period

of five years.

(3) The firearms pass shall contain the basic information set

out in Schedule II of these regulations.

(4) The firearms pass issued to historical re-enactors shall

authorise the following firearms classified in Category C of the

Firearms Directive (EU) 2017/853, namely

(a) Repeating long firearms excluding repeating and semi-

automatic long firearms with smoothbore barrels that are

60 cm in length or less;

(b) long firearms with single shot rifled barrels;

(c) Rimfire and centre-fire semi-automatic long firearms

whose loading device and chamber can together hold not

more than 3 rounds;

(d) single shot short firearms with rim fire percussion

whose overall length is not less than 28cm;

(e) deactivated firearms;

(f)

single shot long firearms with smoothbore barrels.

(5) The firearms pass issued to hunters shall authorise the

following firearms classified in Category C of the Firearms

Directive, namely

(a) Repeating long firearms excluding repeating and semi-

automatic long firearms with smoothbore barrels that are

60 cm in length or less;

(b) Rimfire and centre-fire semi-automatic long firearms

whose loading device and chamber can together hold not

more than 3 rounds;

(c) single shot long firearms with smoothbore barrels.

(6) The firearms pass issued to target shooters shall authorise

the following firearms classified in Category A, B and C of the

Firearms Directive, namely

(a) firearms in Schedule I of the Act that may be acquired

by holders of a Target Shooter A Special Licence;

(b) firearms in Schedule II excluding item 8 of the Act;

(c) firearms in Schedule III of the Act;.

(7) Provided that applicants in relation to sub-regulations (4),

(5) and (6) are

(a) in possession of a European firearms pass listing such

firearm or firearms; and

(b) are able to substantiate the reasons for their journey, in

particular by producing an invitation or other proof of

their hunting, target shooting or historical re-

enactment activities

in

the

Member

State

of

destination.

(8) Sub-regulations 4, 5 and 6 shall not apply to journeys to a

Member State that, either prohibit the acquisition and possession of

the firearm in question or make it subject to authorisation. In that

case, an express statement to that effect shall be entered on the

European firearms pass. Member States may also refuse the

application of this derogation in the case of firearms classified in

Schedule I Part I item 15 of the Act.

(9) A firearms pass shall be non-transferable and must always

be in possession of the person using the firearm to which the

firearm pass relates.

(10) Changes in the possession or characteristics of firearms

indicated on a firearm pass, as well as the loss or theft of such

firearm shall always be indicated on the firearms pass.

Marksmen, hunters and historical re-enactors shall not

require a licence under the Act with respect to any firearms or

ammunition brought into Malta and to be used for target shooting,

hunting or historical re-enactments, provided they are in possession

of a European firearms pass that is validly issued and generally

contains the information referred to in the Schedule II, and

provided further they are able to substantiate the reasons for their

presence in Malta by producing an invitation for participation in a

target shooting, hunting or historical re-enactment activities or

other proof of their hunting, target shooting or historical re-

enactment activities in Malta

Provided that the Commissioner has been informed of, and

has consented to, the holding of such activity.

11. (Deleted by L.N. 463 of 2010).

(Mħassar bl-A.L. 463 tal-2010).

Any person found guilty of infringing any of these

regulations shall be liable to the penalty listed in articles 51 to 60

of the Act.

Any licence which, after the coming into force of these

regulations, is issued to a person to act as a dealer in arms proper

other than firearms, including a renewal of the licence in terms of

the Act, shall keep the records mentioned in the Act for a minimum

period of five years even if the dealer renounces to or loses the

licence, provided that the provisions of this regulation shall be

deemed to have been complied with if the said books are, on such

renunciation or loss, delivered to the Commissioner for safe-

keeping, in which case the Commissioner shall keep the said books

for the period mentioned herein.

Added by