Airgun law · World

Are Airguns Legal in Cameroon?

Yes, with conditions.

Generally legal, but with real rules to follow — usually age verification, and in some places a low-power threshold.

Tier 3 — Moderate

Threshold-based licensing — permit-free band for low-power, licence required above.

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive Cameroon is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationUnclear

Age rule18+

PossessionVariable

Transfer / saleVariable

TransportVariable

AuthorityNational statute

Before you buy or sell

Older decree exclusion for compressed-air weapons may not answer modern import questions.
Conventional firearm import limits and permits do not automatically validate airgun hunting.
Security conditions and regional instability can affect practical travel.

The rules in detail

Classification

Unclear

Law No. 2016/015 governs weapons and ammunition generally. Older implementing materials expressly excluded compressed-air weapons and their ammunition from a 1973 decree, but the 2016 law controls modern firearms/arms treatment and should be checked for current airgun handling.

Age rule

18+

18+ practical adult baseline; exact airgun-specific age rule unresolved.

Possession

Variable

If compressed-air weapons remain outside the core firearm decree treatment, ordinary airgun possession may be lighter-touch than firearms. Because the 2016 law is the current general arms law, classify as unresolved but likely less restricted than firearms pending local confirmation.

Transfer / sale

Variable

Firearms commerce is authorization-controlled. Airgun sale/import should be locally verified; do not assume a 1973 exclusion removes all modern customs or public-order controls.

Transport

Variable

Transport cased, unloaded, and tied to lawful sport or hunting-area use. Public carry/display is risky.

Authority

National statute

National arms law administered by Cameroonian authorities; hunting import procedures usually flow through outfitter/government channels.

Hunting with an airgun

Qualified / outfitter-controlled.

Deer

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Turkey

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Small game

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Predators

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Other big game

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Import & travel

Energy threshold

No reliable airgun joule threshold found.

Caliber rule

No specific airgun caliber rule found.

Travel note

Cameroon may be less restrictive for airguns domestically than for firearms, but traveler import still needs written confirmation.

Local & import notes

Visitor procedure

For hunting trips, conventional firearm import permits are handled through the outfitter with passport, firearm proof, and permit documents. Do not import airguns without written confirmation because older law excludes compressed-air weapons but modern customs may still inspect weapon-like items.

This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.