No, owning a flamethrower in the United Arab Emirates is prohibited under federal firearms and hazardous materials laws, with enforcement by the Ministry of Interior and local police authorities. Civil penalties include fines up to AED 50,000 and imprisonment, while military-grade devices trigger counterterrorism prosecutions under 2023 amendments to the Penal Code.
Key Regulations for Owning a Flamethrower in United Arab Emirates
- Federal Firearms Law (Decree-Law No. 37 of 2023): Classifies flamethrowers as “destructive weapons,” requiring prior approval from the Ministry of Interior for any possession, which is routinely denied.
- Hazardous Materials Regulation (Cabinet Resolution No. 24 of 2020): Mandates licensing for controlled substances, including flammable propellants, with flamethrowers treated as dual-use devices subject to confiscation.
- Local Police Circulars (2024-2026): Dubai and Abu Dhabi police have issued directives prohibiting flamethrower demonstrations, sales, or imports, citing public safety risks under the Public Order Law.
Violations escalate under the Cybercrime Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021) if flamethrowers are used to incite violence or disrupt public order, leading to electronic surveillance penalties. Import permits from the UAE Customs Authority are uniformly rejected, with seizures documented in 2025 at Dubai and Sharjah ports.