No, owning a flamethrower in Egypt is prohibited under the 2020 Weapons and Ammunition Law No. 149, which classifies such devices as prohibited weapons. The Ministry of Interior’s Arms and Ammunition Department enforces this ban, citing public safety risks. Violations may result in confiscation, fines, or imprisonment.
Key Regulations for Owning a Flamethrower in Egypt
- Prohibition Status: Flamethrowers are explicitly listed in Annex B of Law No. 149 as “non-civilian weapons,” barring private ownership without exception.
- Enforcement Authority: The Ministry of Interior’s Arms and Ammunition Department conducts inspections and prosecutes unauthorized possession under Articles 32–35 of the same law.
- Penalties: Unauthorized possession may lead to imprisonment for up to 5 years and/or fines up to 50,000 EGP, per Article 36. Confiscation of the device is mandatory.
Recent 2026 draft amendments to the law propose stricter penalties, including mandatory minimum sentences for prohibited weapon offenses. The Egyptian government’s 2024–2025 security crackdowns on unlicensed arms have further tightened enforcement. Importation or sale of flamethrowers requires prior approval from the Ministry of Defense, a near-impossible hurdle for civilians.