Purchase and possession of a hunting weapon
Verified 02 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
What weapons for hunting? What is the procedure for having a category C weapon? How do I keep the gun? Here are the main rules to know about Class C weapons.
The weapons used to hunt are category C.
A weapon of category D, available over the counter, can also be used for hunting.
Warning
certain hunting procedures are prohibited.
To purchase a Class C weapon, you must go to a gunsmith, one licensed broker, or a private in the presence of a gunsmith.
You must have created a SIA account to buy a gun as a hunter.
The gunsmith handles the online approach via the AISAIS : Weapons Information System.
The purchased weapon is automatically transferred to your digital rack.
You will need to confirm the purchase of the weapon online through your account AISAIS : Weapons Information System.
If you do not, the purchase is automatically validated after 5 days.
Weapons Information System (AIS) - Owner Space
Reminder
If you had a gun before February 8, 2022, you had until 1er july 2023 to create an account AISAIS : Weapons Information System and 6 months from its opening to complete your temporary digital rack.
The hunting permit and the current year posting title give the right to carry the weapon during a hunting activity.
The hunting permit gives the right to carry a hunting weapon during a hunting activity.
The weapon must be transported in such a way as to not be immediately usable, by a technical device or by dismantling one of its components.
Failure to comply with the regulations on the carrying and transport of weapons is punished by a fine and one prison sentence.
The penalty applies even if the person is in good standing regarding possession of the firearm.
Offense | Fine | Imprisonment | |
---|---|---|---|
Weapon, essential element or ammunition category C | Committed by 1 person alone | €30,000 | 2 years |
Committed by 2 or more people | €75,000 | 5 years | |
Weapon, essential element or ammunition category D | Committed by 1 person alone | €15,000 | 1 year |
Committed by at least 2 people | €30,000 | 2 years | |
Low-risk D-category weapon, element or ammunition | €750 | _ |
Please note
You must retain your Class C weapon and its components in one of the following ways:
- In a suitable safe or vault
- By dismantling a weapon element making it immediately unusable, which is kept separate
- By any other device preventing the removal of the weapon (for example, chaining on a rack, passage of a cable in the bridge)
Ammunition should be kept separately under conditions that prohibit open access.
Please note
These provisions do not apply to firearms neutralized (category C9).
Classification of weapons
Classification of war materials, weapons and ammunition
Arms conservation
Port and transport
FAQ
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Legifrance
French Office for Biodiversity (OFB)
National Hunters Federation