Who can carry and carry a gun?
Verified 11 February 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You can carry and carry a weapon if you are hunter, sports shooter or collector provided that comply with regulations on the carrying and transport of weapons.
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 | _ | |
You can ask the departmental or interdepartmental federation of hunters in your home.
Who shall I contact
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.
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):
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
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.
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):
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
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).
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.
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):
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
Port and transport
Criminal sanctions
Rules relating to the carrying and transport of a weapon
Penalties for carrying and transporting a weapon
Penalties for carrying and transporting a Class A or B weapon
FAQ
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