Class A Firearm and Warfare Equipment
Verified 11 February 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Are you wondering about gun control? He is prohibit the acquisition or possession of a weapon classified as category A, with exceptions. Category A weapons are certain firearms (category A1) and war materiel (category A2).
A1
The weapons classified in category A1 are:
Type of weapon | Features |
|---|---|
Handgun | + 21 ammunition without replenishment and supply system of + 20 cartridges |
Semi-automatic repeating shoulder firearm with ring percussion | + 31 ammunition without replenishment and supply system of + 30 cartridges |
Semi-automatic repeating shoulder firearm with center percussion | + 11 strokes without recharging, with integrated charger of more than 10 cartridges or when a removable charger of more than 10 cartridges is inserted Note: the weapon remains classified in category B if the magazine is not inserted. Only the charger is classified in category A. |
Rifled gun and ammunition therefor | Projectile with a diameter of 20 mm or more, except where non-metallic projectiles |
Smooth-bore firearm and ammunition therefor | Larger than 8 caliber Except weapons classified in category C or D by ministerial decision |
Automatic repeating firearm converted to semi-automatic repeating firearm | Automatic firearm converted to a semi-automatic firearm |
Automatic repeating firearm converted to manual repeating firearm | Automatic weapon converted to a firearm meeting the criteria of a manual repeater weapon |
Automatic repeating firearm converted to 1-shot firearm | Automatic firearm converted to a 1-shot firearm |
Semi-automatic repeating long gun | Length reducible to less than 60 cm with a butt |
Semi-automatic repeating long gun | Stripe power regardless of capacity |
Manual repeating shoulder gun | + 31 ammunition without replenishment and supply system of + 30 cartridges |
Ammunition with a projectile of 20 mm or more | Except ammunition used for a category C weapon |
Power supply system | - for a handgun of more than 20 ammunition - for a long-gun with annular percussion of more than 30 rounds - for a semi-automatic repeat long gun with center percussion of +10 rounds - for a long-gun with manual repetition and central percussion of more than 30 rounds |
Other weapon | - Firearm camouflaged as another object - Weapon with equivalent technical characteristics |
He is forbidden to acquire or possess a weapon classified in category A1.
Exceptions exist for certain persons given their sporting activity or professional.
For example, a certified expert at the Court of Cassation.
Ask your local prefecture.
Paris Police Department - Arms and Explosives Section
The Arms and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By mail
Police prefecture
General Police Directorate
Office of Administrative Police
Arms and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By E-mail
From contact form
Please note
if you had an automatic repeat firearm converted to a manual repeat firearm or a 1-shot firearm before 1er November 2021, you can continue to hold it and purchase the corresponding ammunition.
A2
Weapons classified in category 2 concern war materials, equipment for carrying or using firearms in combat, and equipment for protection against flue gases.
Type of weapon | Features |
|---|---|
Self-repeating firearm | -components specifically designed for the weapon - any additional device which can be mounted on the weapon allowing the firing of projectiles in a burst or which can be assimilated to the firing in a burst by increasing its firing speed |
Weapon with laser beam | |
Cannon, howitzer, mortar, rocket launcher and grenade launcher... | |
Bomb, torpedo, mine, missile, grenade, incendiary device... |
He is forbidden to acquire or possess war materiel classified as A2.
Exceptions exist for automatic repeat firearms for some people, given their professional activity.
For example, a certified expert at the Court of Cassation.
Ask your local prefecture.
Paris Police Department - Arms and Explosives Section
The Arms and Explosives Section does not receive users.
By mail
Police prefecture
General Police Directorate
Office of Administrative Police
Arms and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By E-mail
From contact form
Classification of weapons
Classification of war materials, weapons and ammunition
Conditions for issuing authorizations for the acquisition of category A and B weapons
Derogations from the acquisition ban for certain collectors (Article R312-27)
Derogations from the acquisition ban for forensic experts
FAQ
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