Category C weapons (reportable)
Verified 20 March 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Can you have a Class C weapon if you're not a hunter or a sports shooter? We'll tell you what you need to know.
Ranking | Designation | Features |
|---|---|---|
C1-a) | Semi-automatic repeating long gun | Projectile less than 20 mm in diameter Firing up to 3 rounds, without replenishment |
C1-b) | Manual repeating shoulder gun | Projectile less than 20 mm in diameter Firing up to 11 rounds, without re-supply |
C1-c) | 1 shot long gun per barrel | |
C1-d) | Manual repeating shoulder gun | Striped barrel equipped with a reloading device with a chambered pump for gages 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 and 410 Maximum capacity of 5 strokes Total length greater than 80 cm Gun length greater than 60 cm Fixed stock |
C2 | Elements of C1 weapons | |
C3 | Firearm manufactured for firing one or more non-metallic projectiles | Classified in this category by ministerial decision |
C4 | Weapon and launcher having a projectile propelled in a non-pyrotechnic manner | Mouth energy of 20 joules or more |
C5 | Weapon having equivalent characteristics classified in category C because of its dangerousness | |
C9 | Deactivated Class A, B or C firearm (rendered unfit for fire) | |
C11 | Power supply system for a weapon classified in category C1 - a) and C1 - b) | |
C12 | Weapon alarm and signaling system |
Conditions vary according to your age.
Major
Conditions vary depending on the type of weapon:
Deactivated firearm (category C9)
Weapon rendered unfit for fire
To buy a firearm neutralized (category C9) you must meet the following 3 conditions:
- Not be enrolled in FINIADAFINIADA : national register of prohibitions on the acquisition and possession of weapons
- Do not have on your criminal record bulletin no. 2 of convictions for certain offenses. For example, murder, murder, willful violence, rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking... It is the prefecture that makes the request for a ballot.
- Not behave in a way that would make you or others fear the use of the weapon.
Defense weapon (category C3)
To purchase a defensive weapon (a firearm made to fire a bullet or non-metallic projectiles, category C3), you must meet the following 3 conditions:
- Not be enrolled in FINIADAFINIADA : national register of prohibitions on the acquisition and possession of weapons
- Do not have on your criminal record bulletin no. 2 of convictions for certain offenses. For example, murder, murder, willful violence, rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking... It is the prefecture that requests a ballot.
- Not behave in a way that would make you or others fear the use of the weapon.
Warning and signaling weapon (C12)
To buy a alarm and signaling weapon (C12), you must meet the following 3 conditions:
- Not be enrolled in FINIADAFINIADA : national register of prohibitions on the acquisition and possession of weapons
- Do not have on your criminal record bulletin no. 2 of convictions for certain offenses. For example, murder, murder, willful violence, rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking... It is the prefecture that requests a ballot.
- Not behave in a way that would make you or others fear the use of the weapon.
Other Class C weapon
You must complete the 4 conditions following:
- Not be enrolled in FINIADAFINIADA : national register of prohibitions on the acquisition and possession of weapons
- Do not have on your criminal record bulletin no. 2 of convictions for certain offenses. For example, murder, murder, willful violence, rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking... It is the prefecture that makes the request for a ballot.
- Not behave in a way that would make you or others fear the use of the weapon
- Have a hunting license or a sports license or collector's card
The hunting license can be issued in France or abroad. It must be accompanied by an annual or temporary validation document or a validation document from the previous year.
The sports license must be issued by the French Sports Federation which has received ministerial delegation for the practice of shooting, ball-trap or biathlon (+ attestation certifying that you practice one of these sports if the federation also has a ministerial delegation for other sports). The license must be valid.
The collector card must be valid.
Vous avez choisi
Choisissez votre cas
Deactivated firearm (category C9)
Weapon rendered unfit for fire
To buy a firearm neutralized (category C9) you must meet the following 3 conditions:
- Not be enrolled in FINIADAFINIADA : national register of prohibitions on the acquisition and possession of weapons
- Do not have on your criminal record bulletin no. 2 of convictions for certain offenses. For example, murder, murder, willful violence, rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking... It is the prefecture that makes the request for a ballot.
- Not behave in a way that would make you or others fear the use of the weapon.
Defense weapon (category C3)
To purchase a defensive weapon (a firearm made to fire a bullet or non-metallic projectiles, category C3), you must meet the following 3 conditions:
- Not be enrolled in FINIADAFINIADA : national register of prohibitions on the acquisition and possession of weapons
- Do not have on your criminal record bulletin no. 2 of convictions for certain offenses. For example, murder, murder, willful violence, rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking... It is the prefecture that requests a ballot.
- Not behave in a way that would make you or others fear the use of the weapon.
Warning and signaling weapon (C12)
To buy a alarm and signaling weapon (C12), you must meet the following 3 conditions:
- Not be enrolled in FINIADAFINIADA : national register of prohibitions on the acquisition and possession of weapons
- Do not have on your criminal record bulletin no. 2 of convictions for certain offenses. For example, murder, murder, willful violence, rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking... It is the prefecture that requests a ballot.
- Not behave in a way that would make you or others fear the use of the weapon.
Other Class C weapon
You must complete the 4 conditions following:
- Not be enrolled in FINIADAFINIADA : national register of prohibitions on the acquisition and possession of weapons
- Do not have on your criminal record bulletin no. 2 of convictions for certain offenses. For example, murder, murder, willful violence, rape, sexual assault, drug trafficking... It is the prefecture that makes the request for a ballot.
- Not behave in a way that would make you or others fear the use of the weapon
- Have a hunting license or a sports license or collector's card
The hunting license can be issued in France or abroad. It must be accompanied by an annual or temporary validation document or a validation document from the previous year.
The sports license must be issued by the French Sports Federation which has received ministerial delegation for the practice of shooting, ball-trap or biathlon (+ attestation certifying that you practice one of these sports if the federation also has a ministerial delegation for other sports). The license must be valid.
The collector card must be valid.
Minor over 16 years
A minor cannot buy a Class C weapon.
One a minor over 16 years of age may possess a category C weapon if he fills the 2 conditions following:
- Have the authorization of a person exercising parental authority not entered in the FINIADAFINIADA : national register of prohibitions on the acquisition and possession of weapons
- Have a valid hunting license, or a valid license from a sports federation that has received ministerial delegation for shooting, ball-trap or biathlon (+ certification that the minor is playing one of these sports if the federation also has ministerial delegation for other sports).
Minor between 12 and 16 years
A minor cannot buy a Class C weapon.
One A minor 12 years of age or older may possess a category C weapon if he fills the 2 conditions following:
- Have the authorization of a person exercising parental authority not entered in the FINIADAFINIADA : national register of prohibitions on the acquisition and possession of weapons
- Have a valid license from a sports federation that has received a ministerial delegation to practice shooting, ball-trap or biathlon (+ certification that the minor plays one of these sports if the federation also has a ministerial delegation for other sports).
The approach varies according to the profile of the weapon holder: hunter, sportsman's license, biathlete's license...
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You're a hunter
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 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
You're fired as a sports shooter
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 sportsman's licensee.
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
You are licensed as a biathlete or ball-trap shooter
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 purchase a weapon as a licensee for ball-trap or biathlon.
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
You are a collector and have the collector card
The approach is different depending on the weapon you buy.
Category C3, C9 or C12 weapon
To buy a weapon of category C3 (defense weapon), C9 (weapon neutralized) or C12 (alarm and signaling weapon), you must address a gunsmith, one licensed broker, or a private in the presence of a gunsmith.
You must have created a SIA account via the "untitled holders" module.
If you have been admitted to psychiatric care without consent, a medical certificate of less than 1 month issued by a psychiatrist may be requested.
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
Other Class C weapon
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 provide a file containing the following documents:
- Declaration on the form cerfa no. 12650
- Copy of a valid ID
- A copy of your valid collector card.
The gunsmith or broker will forward your file to the prefecture of your home.
If you have been admitted to psychiatric care without consent, the prefect may ask you to provide a medical certificate of less than 1 month issued by a psychiatrist.
You're in a different situation
Gait varies by weapon type:
Deactivated firearm (category C9)
To buy a firearm neutralized (category C9), you must contact a gunsmith, one licensed broker, or a private in the presence of a gunsmith.
You must have created a SIA account.
You need a medical certificate less than a month old certifying that your physical and mental health is compatible with the possession of category C weapons.
If you have been admitted to psychiatric care without consent, a medical certificate of less than 1 month issued by a psychiatrist may be requested.
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
Defense weapon (category C3)
To purchase a defensive weapon (a firearm made to fire a bullet or non-metallic projectiles, category C3), you must contact a gunsmith, one licensed broker, or a private in the presence of a gunsmith.
You must have created a SIA account.
You need a medical certificate less than a month old certifying that your physical and mental health is compatible with the possession of category C weapons.
If you have been admitted to psychiatric care without consent, a medical certificate of less than 1 month issued by a psychiatrist may be requested.
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
Warning and signaling weapon (C12)
To buy a alarm and signaling weapon (C12), you must contact a gunsmith, one licensed broker, or a private in the presence of a gunsmith.
You must have created a SIA account.
You need a medical certificate less than a month old certifying that your physical and mental health is compatible with the possession of category C weapons.
If you have been admitted to psychiatric care without consent, a medical certificate of less than 1 month issued by a psychiatrist may be requested.
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
Other Class C weapon
You cannot acquire other Class C weapons.
In fact, their acquisition is reserved for people with a hunting license, or a sports license from shooting, ball-trap or ski federations (biathlon), or a collector's card, valid.
Vous avez choisi
Choisissez votre cas
You're a hunter
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 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
You're fired as a sports shooter
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 sportsman's licensee.
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
You are licensed as a biathlete or ball-trap shooter
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 purchase a weapon as a licensee for ball-trap or biathlon.
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
You are a collector and have the collector card
The approach is different depending on the weapon you buy.
Category C3, C9 or C12 weapon
To buy a weapon of category C3 (defense weapon), C9 (weapon neutralized) or C12 (alarm and signaling weapon), you must address a gunsmith, one licensed broker, or a private in the presence of a gunsmith.
You must have created a SIA account via the "untitled holders" module.
If you have been admitted to psychiatric care without consent, a medical certificate of less than 1 month issued by a psychiatrist may be requested.
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
Other Class C weapon
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 provide a file containing the following documents:
- Declaration on the form cerfa no. 12650
- Copy of a valid ID
- A copy of your valid collector card.
The gunsmith or broker will forward your file to the prefecture of your home.
If you have been admitted to psychiatric care without consent, the prefect may ask you to provide a medical certificate of less than 1 month issued by a psychiatrist.
You're in a different situation
Gait varies by weapon type:
Deactivated firearm (category C9)
To buy a firearm neutralized (category C9), you must contact a gunsmith, one licensed broker, or a private in the presence of a gunsmith.
You must have created a SIA account.
You need a medical certificate less than a month old certifying that your physical and mental health is compatible with the possession of category C weapons.
If you have been admitted to psychiatric care without consent, a medical certificate of less than 1 month issued by a psychiatrist may be requested.
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
Defense weapon (category C3)
To purchase a defensive weapon (a firearm made to fire a bullet or non-metallic projectiles, category C3), you must contact a gunsmith, one licensed broker, or a private in the presence of a gunsmith.
You must have created a SIA account.
You need a medical certificate less than a month old certifying that your physical and mental health is compatible with the possession of category C weapons.
If you have been admitted to psychiatric care without consent, a medical certificate of less than 1 month issued by a psychiatrist may be requested.
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
Warning and signaling weapon (C12)
To buy a alarm and signaling weapon (C12), you must contact a gunsmith, one licensed broker, or a private in the presence of a gunsmith.
You must have created a SIA account.
You need a medical certificate less than a month old certifying that your physical and mental health is compatible with the possession of category C weapons.
If you have been admitted to psychiatric care without consent, a medical certificate of less than 1 month issued by a psychiatrist may be requested.
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
Other Class C weapon
You cannot acquire other Class C weapons.
In fact, their acquisition is reserved for people with a hunting license, or a sports license from shooting, ball-trap or ski federations (biathlon), or a collector's card, valid.
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).
Buying, selling or possessing one or more Class C weapons without making a declaration is punishable by up to 2 years in prison and a fine of up to €30,000.
The prison sentence is a maximum of 7 years and the fine of €100,000 maximum for infringements committed in organized band.
The additional penalties the following may be added:
- Prohibition of possession or carrying, for a maximum of 5 years, a weapon subject to authorization
- Confiscation of one or more weapons
- Withdrawal of the hunting license with prohibition to apply for a new license for up to 5 years.
The weapon conversion is forbidden to anyone who does not have a gunsmith's license.
Failure to comply with this rule is sanctioned by a contravention of €1,500 maximum.
If the transformation of the weapon results in a change in the category of the weapon, it is a offense punishable by 5 years imprisonment and €75,000 of fine.
However, the addition of accessories (handle, sights...) is allowed if it does not modify the characteristics of the weapon.
Weapons Information System (AIS) - Owner Space
Class C firearm - Declaration of acquisition, sale, transfer or possession
Classification of weapons
Acquisition and holding
Classification of war materials, weapons and ammunition
Acquisition and possession of reportable weapons
Arms conservation
FAQ
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