Kuwait amends weapons law, bans knives, air guns in public spaces

Dubai:  In a sweeping update to its decades-old weapons legislation, Kuwait has enacted a new law extending restrictions beyond firearms to include knives and air-powered guns, Al Seyassah Arabic daily reported.

The move comes as authorities report a surge in violent incidents involving such weapons and seek to close what they describe as dangerous legal loopholes. The changes, enacted under Decree Law No. 90 of 2025, mark the first major revision of the country’s 1991 firearms law. For the first time, so-called sharp -edged weapons, including knives, machetes, and blunt objects — and high-calibre air guns will be subject to licencing, usage restrictions, and criminal penalties.

In an explanatory note released alongside the decree, the government cited a “widespread rise” in public threats and attacks involving these weapons, which had previously fallen outside the scope of existing legislation. Officials said the reforms are intended to enhance public safety, deter misuse, and bring the country’s legal framework in line with evolving security challenges.

Expanded authority and new restrictions

Under the amended law, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior gains wider authority to regulate how and where weapons can be carried. Notably, the legislation introduces a category of “prohibited places” where carrying any kind of weapon — including licenced ones — is banned unless explicitly justified by personal or professional need.

These zones include:

• Public spaces and gatherings

• Government and service facilities

• Markets and public transportation

• Places of worship, educational institutions

• Any other locations designated by the Ministry

Possessing or carrying a regulated item in a prohibited area without a valid reason can result in up to one year in prison and a fine of KD 1,000 (about $3,250). Using such weapons to deliberately intimidate someone in public could lead to two years in jail.

The updated law also places new obligations on commercial entities. Businesses involved in the import, sale, or marketing of knives or air weapons must obtain a licence, or face fines of up to KD5,000, as well as possible suspension of operations. Repeat offenders will face double the penalties, and authorities will confiscate any weapons involved in violations.

The law maintains Kuwait’s longstanding ban on silencers, machine guns, and artillery-grade weapons, regardless of license status. Exemptions remain in place for members of the police, armed forces, National Guard, and fire services when acting in an official capacity. The Interior Minister retains the authority to issue exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

The law will go into effect three months after its publication in the official gazette, giving individuals and businesses time to ensure compliance. Those who already possess knives, BB guns, or other potentially restricted items are being urged to consult the new provisions and, if necessary, apply for a license.

For a country long accustomed to relatively liberal rules around personal weapon ownership, the amendments mark a notable shift — one driven, officials say, by a growing need to safeguard public spaces and confront new forms of street-level violence.