KUWAIT: Kuwait has introduced sweeping changes to its decades-old weapons law, expanding it beyond firearms and ammunition to cover knives and air guns — a move officials say is aimed at curbing “growing violence” in the country and protecting public safety.

The changes are part of Decree Law No 90 of 2025, which amends the original 1991 legislation that regulated the possession and use of guns. The update comes as authorities report a noticeable increase in incidents where white weapons (such as knives and blunt objects) and air-powered guns have been used to intimidate or harm people in public places.

The law gives the Ministry of Interior broader powers to restrict how and where these weapons are used, and imposes new criminal penalties on those who violate the rules — including jail time, fines and possible business closures.

Why is this happening now?

According to an explanatory note published alongside the law, the government is responding to “a widespread rise” in the use of knives and air guns in attacks and public threats. Officials say these weapons were not adequately covered under the old legislation, creating gaps in enforcement that contributed to a rise in public safety concerns. By updating the law, the government says it hopes to deter such behaviour and bring the legal framework in line with current security needs.

What’s new in the law?

One of the most significant changes is the expanded definition of what counts as a weapon. For the first time, the law regulates “white weapons” — a literal translation of an Arabic term for weapons including knives, machetes and other sharp or blunt instruments — and “dangerous air weapons”, such as air rifles or pistols with a caliber of six millimetres or more.

Possessing or carrying these items now requires a government-issued license, just like firearms. The law also introduces a new category of “prohibited places,” where carrying any weapon is banned. These include: public gatherings and commercial centres; places of worship; public transport; schools and universities; and other areas that the Ministry of Interior can designate at its discretion. Even licensed weapons are banned in these areas unless there’s a clear personal or professional justification.

What are the penalties?

The amendments set out a range of new penalties, including up to one year in jail and a fine of KD 1,000 for carrying a knife or air gun in a prohibited place without valid reason. Anyone who uses such weapons to deliberately frighten someone in public can be sentenced to up to two years in jail. Individuals or businesses that import, sell, or market these weapons without a license face fines of up to KD 5,000, plus potential shutdowns.

Penalties are doubled for repeat offenses, and in all cases, the weapons involved will be confiscated by authorities. The law maintains the long-standing complete ban on silencers, machine guns and cannons, regardless of license status.

As before, members of the police, army, National Guard, and fire services are exempt from these restrictions when carrying weapons as part of their official duties. The Interior Minister may also exempt other entities on a case-by-case basis.

What happens next?

The amended law will take effect three months after it is published in the official gazette. Until then, individuals and businesses have a grace period to review their compliance — and apply for licenses if needed. If you own a knife, BB gun, or other potentially restricted item, now’s the time to find out whether it falls under the new rules. And if you carry or sell such items without a permit, you could soon face legal consequences.

KUWAIT: Kuwait has introduced new regulations to govern the country’s charitable organizations — nonprofit organizations that serve as a backbone of local and international aid work. The move is part of a broader push by the Ministry of Social Affairs to tighten oversight and ensure transparency across the country’s nonprofit sector.

The updated regulation, issued Sunday under Ministerial Decision No 90, replaces a 2015 framework that had governed the creation and operation of charitable associations for nearly a decade. It introduces streamlined procedures for registration, stricter rules on board eligibility, and more robust mechanisms for oversight.

But with a separate law also introduced in June this year for charitable foundations — known locally as mabarat — some are wondering: What’s the difference, and why now?

Associations vs foundations

The regulation published in Sunday’s Kuwait Al-Youm applies specifically to charitable organizations — these are typically membership-based organizations governed by a general assembly. Members elect the board, vote on budgets and reports, and participate in decision-making.

In contrast, charitable foundations, governed by the June 2025 regulation, are non-membership-based entities often created through endowments or donations. They are managed by a board of directors appointed by founders.

So, What’s new in Sunday’s regulations? The new rules introduce a more detailed and centralized regulatory structure than the one introduced in 2015. Here are the biggest changes:

Fewer founders

In 2015, starting a charitable association required at least 50 Kuwaiti founders. The new regulation lowers that to just 10. But the bar for eligibility has been raised: board members must now be at least 30 years old and hold a university degree. Founders must have clean legal records and formally commit not to request financial support from the government.

The 2025 rules strengthen the Ministry of Social Affairs’ role in monitoring organizations at every stage — from registration to elections and fundraising.

Organizations are now required to: Notify the ministry before any public fundraising activity; seek ministry approval to relocate, expand, or even admit new members; and provide full member lists and financial reports upon request. Perhaps most notably, the ministry must be physically present at general assemblies for decisions to be valid. If it withdraws from a meeting, the assembly is automatically invalidated.

Clearer penalties

The application process to start a charity organization is more structured under the new rules. The ministry must issue a decision on registration within one month of receiving a complete application. A dedicated register must now log all applications — accepted or rejected — along with reasons for refusal. Rejected applications can be appealed within a month. The new framework lays out a clear escalation process for violations: Associations get one written warning. If they fail to correct the issue within one week, their bank accounts are frozen. Repeated violations or financial misreporting can lead to suspension or even dissolution — with the cabinet’s approval. In contrast, the 2015 regulation used a longer enforcement ladder, with two warnings spaced out over a month or more, and didn’t clearly spell out consequences for repeated non-compliance.

Why Now?

The updated regulation comes amid heightened scrutiny of charitable activity in Kuwait, especially around fundraising transparency and potential misuse of funds. In early 2025, the ministry temporarily suspended all charitable fundraising in response to unauthorized donation drives on unofficial platforms but has since lifted the suspension.

Kuwait is now in the final stages of approving a comprehensive law to regulate charitable work and strengthen oversight over the sector. A key feature of the law is the creation of a governmental ‘center’, dedicated to humanitarian work, serving as a unified authority overseeing all aspects of charitable activities. The new law is currently under legal review and is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Red Crescent Society (KRCS) says the national campaign to deliver emergency aid to Gaza is gaining momentum, drawing support from charities across the country in what officials are calling a model of institutional coordination and humanitarian solidarity. “The campaign is witnessing strong engagement from humanitarian and charitable associations in the country, which reflects unity of purpose and institutional synergy in fulfilling our humanitarian duty,” said KRCS Chairman Khaled Al-Mughamis.

Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) after meeting with officials from Najat Charity, Al-Mughamis said the organizations discussed ways to coordinate their participation in the national relief effort, especially in providing food aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

He described the initiative as a direct response to “the high directives that prioritize standing with our brothers in Gaza in light of the difficult humanitarian circumstances they face,” calling it a reflection of “Kuwait’s deep-rooted official and popular support for the Palestinian cause.”

KRCS is working with state authorities to operate an air bridge to Gaza, Al-Mughamis added. “This move reflects the State of Kuwait’s unwavering commitment to just humanitarian causes.” As part of the effort, KRCS briefed Najat Charity’s delegation on procurement and delivery logistics. Quantities will be scheduled and shipped according to a strict timetable “to ensure consistent supply and delivery,” he said.

From Najat Charity’s side, Board Chairman Faisal Al-Zamel praised the Red Crescent’s leadership in crisis response. “We are proud of the cooperation with KRCS, which has extensive experience in managing humanitarian crises and continues to make valuable contributions to relief work,” he said.

Al-Zamel noted that Kuwaiti charities enjoy strong public trust. “Donations will be accepted over three days, and once the deadline ends, we will immediately begin procurement and preparation through the Kuwait Flour Mills & Bakeries Company, in coordination with KRCS.” “The suffering of the Palestinian people cannot be ignored,” he said. “Donating is the least we can do under these dire conditions.” As of 9:30 pm Sunday, the campaign had collected KD 1,452,400 from 37,985 donors. —Agencies