Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior announced April 9, 2026, the conclusion of a grace period for surrendering unlicensed weapons that ended the day before, during which 2,818 firearms and 284,860 rounds of ammunition were voluntarily handed over. In a statement, the ministry thanked citizens for their response and warned that strict legal enforcement would now be applied to any remaining unlicensed arms in accordance with regulations.
The ministry said in a statement that the campaign from March 24 to April 8 allowed individuals an opportunity to regularize their legal status while strengthening public safety and national security. It expressed appreciation for the strong public response to the amnesty. Authorities noted that the cooperation reflected a high level of awareness and responsibility among citizens who participated.
According to the ministry’s figures, citizens surrendered 47 sniper rifles, 518 Kalashnikov rifles and 553 shotguns during the period. The inventory also included 94 MP5 submachine guns, 81 M16 rifles, 166 .22 caliber rifles, five self-propelled machine guns, 342 .50 caliber weapons, 51 air rifles, 61 air pistols, 893 various firearms and seven RPG launchers. The ministry reported that the total collection amounted to 2,818 weapons along with 284,860 rounds of ammunition, with the process handled confidentially at police stations without recording personal data or pursuing legal action against those who complied.
A comparable grace period formed part of a new gun control law passed in 2015 that gave citizens four months to surrender unlicensed arms before authorities could conduct house searches, according to a report by The New Arab.[[1]](https://www.newarab.com/News/2015/6/24/New-gun-control-laws-come-into-effect-in-Kuwait) At the time, an estimated 630,000 guns were believed to be in private hands across Kuwait. The measure preceded stricter enforcement phases that included potential searches of homes, vehicles and individuals with prosecutorial approval.
Kuwaiti firearm regulations operate on a may-issue basis, restricting licenses to citizens at least 25 years old with no criminal record and a legitimate need such as hunting, an overview of global gun laws states.[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overview_of_gun_laws_by_nation) Hunting shotguns represent the most commonly licensed category while handguns are generally reserved for VIPs and civilian possession of machine guns is prohibited. The interior ministry maintains oversight of all licensing, registration and enforcement activities related to civilian arms.
The recent amnesty deadline was extended to April 8 from an earlier target to maximize participation, according to updates shared by the ministry and reported on social media platforms. Brigadier General Nasser Bu Salib, the ministry’s spokesperson, had urged the public in late March to take advantage of the opportunity. Security officials indicated that the focus has now shifted entirely to enforcement against any remaining unlicensed possession or use.
Ministry announcements on the campaign were distributed through official channels and covered by multiple Kuwaiti news outlets including Kuwait Times and Times Kuwait, which published the detailed weapon breakdown and statements in April. The initiative forms part of periodic efforts to manage civilian arms holdings in line with national security priorities. No additional surrender figures have been released since the April 8 closure.
