All about the regulations on recreational and defensive shooting weapons
Are you about to acquire a recreational shooting weapon (pistol, revolver or air rifle) or a self-defence weapon, and are you wondering about the legislation? Here you will find the answers to your questions.
You are eager to get started in recreational shooting or sport shooting, take a few minutes to educate yourself on the important rules to know.
Pellet weapons (recreational and sports shooting weapons) are most often in category D or C.
Defense projectile weapons are divided into two categories according to their power (expressed in joules).
Since 1 July 2024, alarm weapons have been classified in category C12 and are therefore subject to declaration.
Category D weapons
Category D includes compressed air or CO2 weapons (recreational and defensive shooting) whose power does not exceed 20 joules. They are on free sale (without the need for declaration) to those over 18 years old.
Bladed weapons (knives, truncheons, brass knuckles, electric shocks, etc.) are also category D weapons.
Category C weapons
Category C covers compressed air weapons (mainly for sport shooting and hunting) and CO2 defensive weapons with a power of 20 joules or more.
Since 1 July 2024, blank weapons (or alarm weapons) have also been classified in category C.
Unlike category D, category C weapons must be declared to the prefecture (this declaration is made by the seller). You will be asked for proof of identity, proof of address less than 3 months old, a shooting licence or hunting licence, or a medical certificate less than one month old showing that you are fit to hold a weapon. We will also carry out a search of the file of persons prohibited from holding firearms. Anyone registered in this file will be refused the purchase of any category C firearm.
Please note
- The medical certificate must be less than one month old and must be sent to us in the original by post or as a photo by email (no scans). It must attest to your physical and mental state of health. You can request it from your GP. A sample certificate is available by clicking here.
- Your shooting licence or hunting permit must be valid, as must your identity document. These can be sent to us by email (no scans).
- Sales to minors are prohibited.
Carrying and transporting weapons
Unlike other countries, in France it is strictly forbidden for anyone to have a firearm in any public place. There is no license to carry a weapon to circumvent this rule.
A self-defense weapon or a recreational or sports shooting weapon may only be transported to a shooting range, a hunting estate or an enclosed private place, and under essential conditions security (carrying case locked, weapon unloaded). Only the police are able to assess whether you are within your rights, so we advise you to respect these rules.
Wearing goggles is also mandatory.
Find our handgun cases by clicking here and our protective glasses here.