This year’s edition was the biggest ever with 650 local and international companies taking part in the exhibition.
Hunting weapons worth Dh36 million were sold at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex) which ended on Saturday.
The Abu Dhabi Police said on Sunday that a total of 2,673 hunting weapons, including shotguns, rifles and pistols for trap shooting and hunting and other equipment, were bought by Emiratis at this year’s exhibition. The gun section was the most popular area of the exhibition.
The exhibition, the largest of its kind in the field of hunting and equestrian activities in the region, ran from August 27 to 31. This year’s edition was the biggest ever with 650 local and international companies taking part in the exhibition.
Brigadier Salim Hamoud Al Baloushi, director of the firearms and explosives department at the Abu Dhabi Police and chairman of security at the Adihex organising committee, said there was a huge volume in the sale of weapons at this year’s exhibition which reflects the public’s interest in the event and an indication of its success.
“The coordination with the Culture and Heritage Authority, Abu Dhabi Customs and other security agencies helped visitors to easily purchase and own hunting weapons at Adihex after they had obtained all the necessary requirements,” said Al Baloushi.
Changes to the UAE weapon laws that permit UAE citizens to buy three weapons instead of one for hunting and skeet shooting are attributed to the significant boost in sales at this year’s Adihex. Last year, Adihex generated about Dh34 million in weapon sales with 1,764 weapons sold.
Emiratis aged 21 and above were allowed to buy three weapons from this year’s exhibition. They have to apply for a gun licence from the Ministry of Interior to buy weapons at Adihex. Emiratis outside Abu Dhabi were supposed to present a no objection certificate from their emirate’s police force.
Also, for the first time in the history of Adihex, non-Emiratis were allowed to buy hunting weapons and equipment. Non-Emiratis had to present a licence and a no-objection certificate from the police departments in their respective countries. The licence had to mention the number and the kinds of weapons the visitor is permitted to own, and also explain how they will export it to their countries from Abu Dhabi.
