Law and Responsibility in Shooting Sports

Swiss Firearms Act: an easy-to-understand overview for sport shooters and anyone interested

Swiss firearms legislation governs the acquisition, possession, storage, transport, carrying and handling of firearms, essential firearm components, accessories, ammunition and ammunition components. This page explains the key principles in a practical way – with a particular focus on sport shooters, service weapons and shooting activities outside of military service.

Firearms licence Exemption Proof of status as a sport shooter Storage Transport and carrying

Important legal notice

This page provides a general guide to Swiss firearms legislation. It is not a substitute for legal advice or information from the relevant authorities. In individual cases, the applicable federal law, the Firearms Ordinance, cantonal enforcement practice and the relevant firearms offices are always decisive.

If you are unsure about a purchase, acquisition, import, inheritance or transfer, always contact the relevant cantonal firearms office first.

What does the Swiss Firearms Act cover?

The purpose of the Weapons Act is to prevent the misuse of weapons, weapon components, weapon accessories, ammunition and ammunition components. It does not prohibit private ownership of weapons in principle, but subjects it to clear conditions.

It is important to note that the law distinguishes not only between types of weapons, but also between different acts. Among other things, the following are legally relevant: acquisition, possession, storage, transport, carrying, transfer, import, export and trade.

Federal law

A uniform basis

The Weapons Act applies throughout Switzerland. However, in many practical matters, its enforcement is handled by the cantonal firearms offices.

Canton

Competent authority

Applications for a firearms licence or an exemption must be submitted to the relevant cantonal authority.

Practice

Check beforehand

If you have any doubts regarding the category of a weapon, magazines, inheritance or import issues, it is definitely advisable to seek clarification in advance.

Who is allowed to purchase a firearm in Switzerland?

The acquisition of a firearm is only permitted if there are no legal grounds for refusal. Depending on the category of firearm, this is verified by means of a written contract, a firearms acquisition licence or a special exemption.

Minimum age: As a rule, the purchaser must be at least 18 years old.
No grounds for refusal: Persons under comprehensive guardianship, with relevant criminal record entries or with indications of a risk to others may be excluded from purchasing.
Identity and place of residence: The competent authority checks the applicant’s identity, place of residence and eligibility.
Foreign nationals: Persons without a permanent residence permit require a firearms acquisition licence for all firearms and essential components. Additional restrictions apply to nationals of certain countries.

The term „acquire“ does not simply mean ‘to buy’. Gifts, exchanges, inheritances, renting or borrowing may also be regarded as acquisitions in legal terms.

The three main categories of employment

In practice, the category to which a weapon belongs is crucial. This determines whether a written contract is sufficient, whether a firearms acquisition licence is required, or whether an exemption must be obtained.

Category	What does that mean?	Typical examples	Practical guidance
Weapons subject to registration	Acquisitions are generally made by means of a written contract. In the case of firearms, the transferor must send a copy of the contract to the purchaser’s cantonal firearms office within 30 days.	Certain air guns and CO₂ guns, airsoft and paintball guns, service repeating rifles such as the Karabiner 31, and certain hand-operated repeating rifles.	Foreign nationals without a permanent residence permit may still require a firearms acquisition licence.
Weapons subject to authorisation	A firearms acquisition licence is required for the purchase of firearms and essential components.	Pistols, revolvers, self-loading rifles with a permitted magazine capacity, lever-action rifles, bolt-action rifles, and self-loading shotguns.	The application must be submitted to the cantonal authority in the canton of residence.
Prohibited weapons with a special licence	Acquisition is generally prohibited, but may be permitted in certain cases subject to a cantonal exemption.	Automatic firearms, automatic firearms modified to semi-automatic, certain accessories, prohibited knives, semi-automatic firearms with large magazines.	Special exemptions apply to sport shooters, collectors and museums. No purchase may be made without the appropriate authorisation.

Firearms licence: when is it required?

A firearms acquisition licence is required for firearms and essential firearm components subject to authorisation. This applies in particular to many handguns and numerous modern firearms which are not merely subject to registration.

Classify the weapon correctly First of all, it must be clarified whether the weapon is subject to registration, requires a licence, or is prohibited but may be held under a special licence.
Submit an application to your canton of residence The application for a firearms licence must be submitted to the relevant cantonal authority.
Wait for approval The relevant firearm may only be purchased once the firearms licence has been issued.
Keeping documents The purchase contract, firearms acquisition licence, exemption permits and supporting documents should be kept in an organised manner for the long term.

Semi-automatic firearms and the 2019 review

Since 15 August 2019, new acquisition requirements have applied to certain semi-automatic firearms. Of particular relevance are semi-automatic firearms with large magazines, as well as certain former military weapons. Such weapons may still be acquired under certain conditions, but generally only with a cantonal exemption permit.

Exemption

Sport shooters, collectors and museums

Certain semi-automatic firearms with large magazines may be acquired by means of a cantonal exemption permit. Different requirements apply depending on the intended use.

Magazine capacity

Large magazine

In practice, semi-automatic rifles with a capacity of more than 10 rounds and pistols with a capacity of more than 20 rounds are of particular relevance.

Important for service weapons: The direct transfer of a personal army weapon following military service is governed by separate regulations. It should not be treated in the same way as a normal private purchase on the open market.

Anyone who lawfully possessed the weapons in question before the amendment came into force was not „disarmed“. However, there was an obligation to report unregistered weapons of this kind during the transitional period. This transitional period has now expired; if you are unsure, please contact your cantonal firearms office.

Sport shooters: Proof of shooting activity

Any sport shooter who acquires a specific semi-automatic firearm under a special licence must subsequently be able to prove that the firearm is used for sporting purposes or that they are a member of a club.

Option 1

Proof of club membership

Proof of this can be provided by membership of a shooting club or a shooting licence.

Option 2

Proof of shooting

Alternatively, several shooting sessions on different days may be recorded within the relevant timeframes.

The evidence becomes relevant after 5 years and again after 10 years.
Once the second piece of evidence has been provided, no further evidence is usually required under this scheme.
It is the gun owner’s responsibility to provide proof. Not every canton sends out automatic reminders.
Shooting records, club membership certificates, licences and official correspondence should be neatly filed away.

Storage: carefully stored and secured against unauthorised access

Weapons, essential weapon components, accessories and ammunition must be stored carefully and secured against unauthorised access. This is particularly important if children, young people, guests or unauthorised persons might have access to the home.

Access control

Keep under lock and key

In practice, a lockable gun cabinet or suitable security container is the best solution.

Ammunition

Separate organisation

Ammunition should be stored separately and under supervision. When transporting ammunition, there are specific rules regarding the separation of firearms and ammunition.

Formerly produced firearms

Secure the fastener separately

Additional requirements may apply to former automatic firearms, such as the separate and locked storage of the breech.

Transport is not the same as carrying

One of the most common areas of confusion concerns transport and carrying. For example, sport shooters are permitted to transport firearms to the shooting range without requiring a licence to carry a firearm. Carrying a firearm in places open to the public, on the other hand, is subject to authorisation.

Term	Meaning	What should you bear in mind?
Transport	Carrying the weapon for a permitted purpose, such as to a shooting range, for hunting, to a dealer, for repair or to a government agency.	No firearms licence is required. The firearm and ammunition must be kept separate; magazines and loading devices must not contain any ammunition.
Wear	Carrying a weapon in places open to the public, other than for the sole purpose of transporting it.	Only with a licence to carry a weapon. This requires, amongst other things, the existence of a genuine threat and a background check.
Storage in the vehicle	Temporary transport in a vehicle.	Do not leave it in the vehicle unnecessarily. Transport it immediately, unload it, and store it securely and separately from ammunition.

A handy rule of thumb: on the way to the shooting range, the firearm is transported, not carried. It is unloaded, secured, kept in a designated container whilst in transit, and not readily accessible for general use.

Ammunition, magazines and essential weapon components

Gun legislation does not only apply to complete firearms. Essential firearm components, certain accessories, ammunition, ammunition components and magazines may also be subject to legal regulation.

Key weapon components: Depending on the part, similar rules may apply to those for the weapon itself.
Magazines: The combination of a semi-automatic firearm and a large magazine may alter its legal classification.
Ammunition: The purchase, storage and transport must be carried out carefully and in accordance with the law.
Accessories: Certain accessories, such as silencers, laser sights or night-vision sights, may be prohibited or subject to authorisation.

Inherited weapons: what should you do?

If weapons are inherited, heirs should not simply wait and see. First, it must be established which weapons are involved, which category they fall into, and who is entitled to take possession of them.

Draw up an inventory Record the type of weapon, make, model, calibre, serial number and any accompanying documents.
Check category Is it subject to notification, subject to authorisation, or does it require a special exemption?
Contact the cantonal firearms office The competent authority will explain which deadlines and forms apply in the specific case.
Arrange for the lawful handover Hand over the weapons to authorised persons, apply for a licence or choose another solution that complies with the law.

When dealing with estates, it is particularly important to exercise due care. Relatives are often unaware of which weapons must be registered, which require a licence, and which are prohibited weapons subject to a special exemption.

Loss, theft or uncertainty

The loss or theft of a firearm must be reported to the police immediately. In practice, the same applies in unclear situations, such as when unknown firearms or components suddenly turn up whilst clearing out an estate.

Do not pass the weapon on to anyone else until the legal situation has been clarified.
Record the serial number, take photographs and note the circumstances under which it was found.
If lost or stolen, contact the police immediately.
If in doubt, contact the cantonal firearms office.

Frequently asked questions about Switzerland’s Firearms Act

Is one firearms licence sufficient for each firearm?

No. For weapons subject to authorisation, the correct procedure is to apply for a firearms acquisition licence. For certain prohibited weapons, in particular semi-automatic firearms with large magazines, a cantonal exemption permit may be required instead.

Are the Sturmgewehr 57 and Sturmgewehr 90 banned?

Depending on the specific model and method of acquisition, they may fall under the category of prohibited weapons, for which an exemption may be granted. There are regulated channels for acquisition by sport shooters, collectors and museums. The direct transfer of a personal military service weapon is governed by separate regulations.

Am I allowed to take a gun to the shooting range?

Yes, a firearms licence is not required to transport a firearm to the shooting range. The firearm must be transported for its intended purpose. The firearm and ammunition must be kept separate; magazines and loading devices must not contain any ammunition.

Am I allowed to carry a weapon in public?

Carrying a weapon in places open to the public is different from simply transporting one. As a general rule, a licence to carry a weapon is required for this. Such a licence is only granted under specific conditions.

Does ammunition have to be stored separately from the firearm?

When transporting firearms, it is essential to keep them separate from ammunition. When storing them, it must be ensured that firearms, components and ammunition are kept secure and protected against unauthorised access. Storing them separately is both practical and advisable from a security perspective.

What are the rules for sport shooters following the 2019 revision?

In the case of certain semi-automatic firearms acquired under a special licence for sport shooting, proof must be provided after 5 and 10 years. This can be demonstrated through club membership or documented shooting activity.

What do I need to do if I inherit a firearm?

Draw up an inventory and contact the cantonal firearms office. Depending on the category of the firearms, a written contract, a firearms acquisition licence or a special permit may be required.

Do special rules apply to foreign nationals?

Yes. Foreign nationals without a permanent residence permit require a firearms acquisition licence for all firearms and essential components. Additional restrictions apply to nationals of certain countries.

Can I simply order weapons or accessories from abroad?

No. Imports, exports and orders from abroad are governed by separate regulations. Before any import or order from abroad, it must be checked whether a licence is required.

Who is responsible in the Canton of Zurich?

In the canton of Zurich, the cantonal authorities or the relevant firearms authorities are the competent bodies. For applications, forms and specific enquiries, please consult the official website of the canton of Zurich.

Official information and forms

For authoritative information, forms and the current legal basis, please consult the official bodies. Of particular importance are fedpol, the federal legal platform Fedlex and the cantonal firearms office.

fedpol: Weapons and ammunition

An overview of gun legislation, acquisition, forms, carrying firearms, importation and categories.

fedpol Weapons / Ammunition

Fedlex: Firearms Act

Official version of the Federal Act on Weapons, Weapons Accessories and Ammunition.

Weapons Act SR 514.54

Canton of Zurich: Weapons

Cantonal information, responsibilities and assistance with applications in the Canton of Zurich.

Canton of Zurich: Weapons

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