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Airgun law · World

Are Airguns Legal in France?

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: a permit-free band for low-power airguns, with a licence required above it.

FR

The picture at a glance

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

ClassificationThreshold-based
Age rule18+
PossessionFree for adults
Transfer / saleFree sale
TransportVariable
AuthorityNational statute
Before you buy or sell
  • Carry without legitimate cause: €750 fine even for Category D items.

The rules in detail

Classification
Threshold-based
Code de la sécurité intérieure: airguns 2–20 J are Category D, and adults may freely purchase and possess. Above 20 J, higher category applies.
Age rule
18+
18+ for Category D airguns.
Possession
Free for adults
Free for adults in Category D band. Carry/transport outside the home requires legitimate reason.
Transfer / sale
Free sale
Free sale to adults below 20 J. Above 20 J: licence regime applies.
Transport
Variable
Reasonable cause required to transport in public; case recommended.
Authority
National statute
National statute; gendarmerie and police administer.

Hunting with an airgun

Hunting with airguns is prohibited, as is using them to destroy pest species (ESOD) (arrêté du 1er août 1986, art. 1).

Deer
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Turkey
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Small game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Predators
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed
Other big game
Unresolved / not addressed
Not listed

Import & travel

Energy threshold
20 J: Category D upper bound
Caliber rule
No caliber-specific national rule below the energy threshold.
Travel note
More permissive than Germany, and Category D handling is simple for adults.

Local & import notes

Visitor procedure
Category D items free for adults. Above 20 J, country-specific authorisation. EU residents may use the European Firearms Pass for licensed items.

Keep exploring

Open the interactive mapSee how this compares across the map and switch between legal and hunting views.→Ballistics toolkitCheck energy, velocity, and range for any airgun and load.→Ammo databaseBrowse 600+ pellets and slugs by caliber and weight.→

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