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Airgun law · World
Are Airguns Legal in Switzerland?
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.
CH
The picture at a glance
Each measure below scores how restrictive Switzerland 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
AuthorityNational statute
Before you buy or sell
- 'Confusable with real firearm' is a parallel trigger — a 12 J realistic-looking pistol is regulated regardless of energy.
The rules in detail
Classification
Threshold-based
Swiss weapons law: air/CO2 weapons are 'weapons' if energy ≥7.5 J OR if confusable with a real firearm.
Age rule
18+
18+ baseline for citizens; foreign-national permit overlays apply.
Possession
Variable
Below 7.5 J and not confusable: outside the weapon framework. Above either trigger: declaration / permit regime applies.
Transfer / sale
Variable
Written contract required for 'weapons subject to declaration'; contract filing in some cases.
Transport
Variable
Declare at the border; online ordering without required permits is risky.
Authority
National statute
Federal statute; cantons administer hunting.
Hunting with an airgun
Hunting is largely cantonal; airgun use very limited.
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
Local & import notes
Visitor procedure
Border declaration required. Below 7.5 J and not confusable: easier path. Above either trigger: cantonal weapons authority approval.
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.