MPs Table Bill to Tighten Control of Arms and Ammunition

Kinshasa, DRC, August 7, 2026 - In a significant legislative move, Deputies Hermes Itina and Mechack Mandefu have submitted a bill aimed at amending the 1985 arms ordinance, which seeks to enhance the regulation of arms and ammunition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The proposed amendments, deposited on July 27, outline several key requirements for individuals seeking to acquire firearms, including a minimum age of 25, a clean criminal record, a medical certificate, and mandatory training in the safe handling of weapons.

The bill also introduces the establishment of a national computerized arms register under the oversight of the National Commission for the Control of Arms and Light Weapons (CNC-ALPC), which will be linked to police and justice systems to improve tracking and accountability. Additionally, it mandates quarterly stock declarations from arms dealers, aiming to bolster transparency in the arms trade. The proposed legislation includes harsher penalties for illicit possession of firearms, reflecting a commitment to combatting illegal arms trafficking and enhancing public safety.

Furthermore, the amendments are designed to align the DRC's arms control policies with international standards, including the Kinshasa Convention, the Nairobi and Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocols, as well as the United Nations Programme of Action (PoA) on Small Arms and Light Weapons from 2001 and the tracing instrument established in 2005. This alignment underscores the DRC's intention to strengthen its regulatory framework in accordance with global best practices and to address the ongoing challenges related to armed violence in the region.