MPs Table Bill To Tighten Arms And Ammunition Controls

Kinshasa, August 7, 2026 - Deputies Hermes Itina and Mechack Mandefu submitted a bill to amend the DRC's 1985 arms ordinance, proposing tighter controls on the acquisition, registration and sale of firearms and ammunition.

The proposed changes would require firearm applicants to be at least 25 years old, have a clean criminal record, obtain a medical certificate and complete training in safe weapons handling.

The bill would also create a national computerized arms register under the National Commission for the Control of Arms and Light Weapons, linked to police and justice systems. Arms dealers would be required to file quarterly stock declarations, while penalties for illicit firearm possession would be increased.

The initiative is intended to align DRC arms controls with international and regional standards, including the Kinshasa Convention, the Nairobi and Southern African Development Community protocols, the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and the international tracing instrument.