FIREARM COMPETENCY Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield FIREARM COMPETENCY facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Why must you use only the ammunition calibre marked on the firearm? → Wrong ammunition can damage the firearm or injure the shooter
2. What may disqualify a person from being declared a fit and proper person to hold a firearm? → A history of violence or relevant criminal convictions
3. When should you apply to renew a firearm licence before it expires? → At least 90 days before the expiry date
4. Before crossing a fence or obstacle while hunting, what should you do with a rifle? → Unload it or make it safe and control the muzzle
5. What should you do if your licensed firearm is lost or stolen? → Report it to SAPS immediately
6. What must you obtain before you can apply for a firearm licence in South Africa? → A competency certificate
7. What does 'rifling' inside a barrel do? → Spins the bullet to stabilise it in flight
8. What is the primary purpose of the cartridge case in a round of ammunition? → To house and protect the primer, propellant, and bullet as a single unit
9. What does a shotgun typically fire? → Multiple small pellets (shot) or a slug
10. Why is hearing and eye protection recommended when shooting rifles and shotguns? → To protect against muzzle blast, noise and ejected debris
11. What documents typically accompany a firearm licence application? → Competency certificate, ID, proof of address and motivation
12. What should a responsible firearm owner do immediately upon discovering that they have obtained the wrong calibre of ammunition for their firearm? → Store the ammunition safely and exchange or return it without attempting to use it
13. Under which section of the FCA is a firearm for self-defence usually licensed? → Section 13
14. Why should you be sure of your target and what is beyond it before firing? → Because a bullet can pass through or miss and harm others
15. What is the effect of barrel rifling on a bullet in flight? → It causes the bullet to spin, which gyroscopically stabilises it for improved accuracy
16. What is a soft point (SP) bullet designed to do compared to a full metal jacket? → Expand upon impact while retaining more mass than a hollow point
17. What licence category typically applies to a firearm used for hunting and sport-shooting purposes? → A dedicated hunter or sport-shooter licence under Section 16
18. What is the role of the propellant powder inside a cartridge? → To produce rapidly expanding gas that propels the bullet forward
19. What does the abbreviation 'FMJ' stand for in ammunition terminology? → Full Metal Jacket
20. Which government body issues firearm competency certificates and licences? → The South African Police Service (SAPS)
21. What is meant by 'muzzle velocity' in ballistics? → The speed of the bullet at the moment it exits the barrel
22. What does the term 'bore' refer to when describing a firearm barrel? → The interior channel of the barrel through which the bullet travels
23. What is the correct order of the first two steps when applying for a firearm in South Africa? → Obtain a competency certificate, then apply for the firearm licence
24. Which law governs the possession and use of firearms in South Africa? → The Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000
25. Which action is commonly found on a hunting rifle? → Bolt action
26. What is the safest way to carry a holstered firearm in public for self-defence? → Concealed and secured, with the trigger guard covered
27. What happens to your firearm licence if your competency certificate lapses and is not renewed? → Your authority to possess the firearm can be affected and you risk unlawful possession
28. Which of the following best describes 'stopping power' in the context of ammunition selection? → The relative ability of a round to incapacitate a threat quickly
29. A competency certificate confirms that the holder is competent in which of the following? → Knowledge of the Act and the safe handling of a firearm
30. Which type of bullet is specifically designed to expand upon impact with a target? → Hollow Point (HP)