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Airgun law · World

Are Airguns Legal in Moldova?

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.

MD

The picture at a glance

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

ClassificationThreshold-based
Age rule18+
PossessionVariable
Transfer / saleVariable
TransportVariable
AuthorityUnclear
Before you buy or sell
  • English sources differ between less than 7 J and up to 7.5 J; verify against current Romanian/Russian text.
  • Registration of pneumatic weapons has been a live enforcement topic.
  • Do not treat Moldova as a free high-power airgun market.

The rules in detail

Classification
Threshold-based
Civilian weapons law classifies pneumatic weapons. Available English translations place low-energy pneumatic weapons in lower categories, with Category D not subject to authorization and Category C subject to declaration/registration treatment.
Age rule
18+
18+ for ordinary civilian non-firearm weapon acquisition placeholder; confirm current age before publication.
Possession
Variable
Low-energy pneumatic weapons below the statutory band are not subject to authorization. Pneumatic weapons at or above the reporting band should be treated as declaration/registration-controlled.
Transfer / sale
Variable
Commercial sale/import is governed by civilian weapons rules. Above the low-energy band, expect reporting or registration obligations.
Transport
Variable
Transport unloaded and cased; avoid public carry. Registered/declared pneumatic weapons should be moved with documentation.
Authority
Unclear
National civilian weapons law administered by Moldovan Interior / police authorities.

Hunting with an airgun

Unresolved / likely restricted.

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
Approximately 7–7.5 J — low-energy pneumatic category/declaration boundary reported in English translations.
Caliber rule
No specific national airgun caliber rule found.
Travel note
Low-power plinkers may be easier than high-power PCPs. For anything above the low-energy band, expect paperwork.

Local & import notes

Visitor procedure
Do not import a high-power airgun without written customs/police confirmation. Moldova has registration/declaration treatment for pneumatic weapons, and unregistered pneumatic weapons were targeted for confiscation under reform reporting.

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.