Collecting weapons: what are the rules? - Old weapon, reproduction or deactivated weapon
Verified 26 février 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Weapons holders: access to the weapons information system (AIS)
Published on 27 February 2024
The Weapons Information System (AIS) shall be made available to owners of major private weapons following:
- Person with a hunting permit, who possesses a weapon, or who wishes to acquire and possess a weapon
- Person with a French Shooting Federation license for shooting, who possesses a weapon, or who wishes to acquire and possess a weapon
- Wishing Person keep a legacy or found weapon who does not have a sports license for ball-trap or biathlon, nor a valid collector's card
- Person holding or wishing to acquire certain category C weapons and who has no sports license for ball-trap or biathlon, nor a valid collector's card.
These are weapons of category C3 (a firearm manufactured to fire a bullet or several non-metallic projectiles) and category C9 (a deactivated firearm of category A, B or C, i.e. rendered unfit to fire).
The AIS allows you to do your homework and access your digital rack.
This page will be updated as the AIS is opened to other specific weapons owners.
Your situation
- It is an old weapon, a reproduction of a historical and collector's weapon, or a deactivated weapon
Collective weapons are the following:
Weapon | Characteristic of the weapon | Category | Applicable regime |
|---|---|---|---|
Pre-1900 pattern unless dangerous | D | In free sale to an adult | |
Arms whose model dates from after 1900, mentioned in a list drawn up by the Ministers of the Interior and Defense | D | In free sale to an adult | |
Reproduction of historical and collector's weapons with a model dating back to before 1900 | The weapon must not fire metal-cased ammunition. The manufacturing technique must not improve the precision and durability of the weapon. | D | In free sale to an adult |
Pre-1946 deactivated warfare equipment except deactivated Class A, B or C firearms | D | In free sale to an adult | |
Post-1946 Warfare Equipment Neutralized | D | In free sale to an adult | |
Category A, B or C firearm deactivated (weapon rendered unfit to fire) | C | Statement from a professional (authorized dealer or broker) to the prefecture of the home |
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.
Classification of weapons
Classification of weapons and ammunition
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Ministry of the Interior