Who can carry and carry a gun?

Verified 30 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

A hunter, sport shooter or collector may carry and carry their weapon provided they comply with the regulations. An authorization to carry a weapon may be requested in cases of exceptional risk of injury to life or of danger to safety as a result of work.

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.

Tableau - Penalties for the infringement

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

_

You can ask the departmental or interdepartmental federation of hunters in your home.

One sports shooter can use his weapon only in the shooting range of an approved sports association.

He can have the gun in hand only in front of the firing range.

The valid fire license issued by the French Shooting Federation gives the right to carry a weapon as part of the practice of this sport.

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.

Tableau - Penalties for the infringement

Offense

Fine

Imprisonment

War materiel, weapons or items and ammunition category A or B

Committed by 1 person alone

€100,000

7 years

Committed by at least 2 people

€500,000

10 years

Weapon, essential element or ammunition category C

Committed by 1 person alone

€30,000

2 years

Committed by at least 2 people

€75,000

5 years

You can inquire with your prefecture (in Paris, with the prefecture of police):

Who shall I contact

You can carry deactivated Class C weapons (weapons rendered unfit for shooting) and historic and collector's weapons to participate in a round at historical reconstruction or to a cultural event of a historical or commemorative nature.

The collector's card is a valid ticket for the legitimate carriage of category C weapons for activities related to the exhibition in a museum open to the public, to the conservation, knowledge or study of weapons.

The weapon must be transported in such a way that it cannot be used immediately, either by means of 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.

Tableau - Penalties for the infringement

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 2 or more people

€30,000

2 years

Low-risk D-category weapon, element or ammunition

€750

_

You can inquire with your prefecture (in Paris, with the prefecture of police):

Who shall I contact

One person exposed to serious risks to his or her safety arising from his or her professional activity may apply for authorization to wear a handgun at the place where it carries on its business.

The request shall be sent by post to the Minister of the Interior.

The minister's silence for four months means that the application is denied.

The authorization, subject to conditions, is issued for a maximum of 1 year, renewable.

The person concerned may purchase up to 50 cartridges during the period of authorization.

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.

Tableau - Weapons: penalties for infringements

Offense

Fine

Imprisonment

War materiel, weapons or items and ammunition category A or category B

Committed by 1 person alone

€100,000

7 years

Committed by at least 2 people

€500,000

10 years

A person exposed to exceptional risk of harm to life may apply to the Minister of the Interior for authorization to carry a handgun (revolver or pistol).

Who shall I contact

The minister's silence for four months means that the application is denied.

The authorization, subject to conditions, is issued for a maximum of 1 year, renewable.

The person concerned may purchase up to 50 cartridges during the period of authorization.

The request is made by letter addressed to the Ministry of the Interior.

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.

Tableau - Weapons: penalties for infringements

Offense

Fine

Imprisonment

War materiel, weapons or items and ammunition category A or category B

Committed by 1 person alone

€100,000

7 years

Committed by at least 2 people

€500,000

10 years

You can inquire with your prefecture (in Paris, with the prefecture of police):

Who shall I contact