The Weapons Act governs the use of weapons in Switzerland. It defines what a weapon is and who is allowed to own one. It also outlines what permits are required and how weapons must be stored and transported. The law contains special provisions for collectors, gamekeepers and target shooters.

In Switzerland weapons include all types of firearm, daggers and other kinds of knives, certain self-defence sprays and electrical shock devices. Compressed air and CO2 guns, imitation firearms, blank cartridge and airsoft guns are also classified as weapons as they often cannot outwardly be distinguished from real weapons and are frequently used to commit offences.

Any person who purchases, inherits, hires, borrows or is gifted a weapon is considered under the law to own a weapon.

Acquiring a weapon as a private individual

If you are a Swiss citizen, you are generally permitted to own a weapon if:

• you are at least 18 years old

• you are not subject to a general deputyship or are represented through a care appointee

• there is no reason to believe you may use the weapon to harm yourself or others

• you have no criminal record indicating you have a violent disposition or pose a danger to public safety or for repeated felonies or misdemeanours.

Owning a weapon as a foreign national

• If you do not have a settlement permit, you require a weapon acquisition permit for all types of weapons.

• Nationals from certain countries are generally not allowed to own weapons or weapon components.

Swiss law distinguishes between three categories of weapons: weapons that must be declared, weapons for which a permit is required and banned weapons. Depending on the type of weapon you wish to acquire, you will need a sales contract, a weapons acquisition permit or an exemption permit (forms not available in English).

If you wish to bring a weapon into Switzerland, you require an import permit from the Federal Office of Police (fedpol). Depending on the weapon, you also require a weapon acquisition permit or an exemption permit. On entering Switzerland, you must present the weapon and the import permit to a customs office. The European Firearms Pass is not accepted as an import permit.

Bringing weapons into Switzerland for a hunting trip or sporting competition

If you wish to bring a weapon into Switzerland from a Schengen member state for a hunting or sporting event, you do not require an import permit. However, your weapon must be registered in your European Firearms Pass and you must have an invitation to the relevant event. If you have any questions on bringing weapons into Switzerland, you can contact the Central Weapons Office at fedpol.

What to look out for if you order a weapon from a foreign online shop

Note that a weapon may be legal in a certain country but not in Switzerland. Before you order a weapon from a foreign online shop, check whether you need a permit. Also, bear in mind that a webshop ending in .ch is not necessarily in Switzerland. If you are unsure, you can contact the cantonal weapons office where you live or the Central Weapons Office.

If you wish to carry weapons in a public place, you require a permit to carry a weapon.

‘You do not require a permit to transport weapons – for example as hunter on your way to a hunting ground or as a target shooter on your way to a shooting range. During transport, there must be no ammunition in the weapon or its magazine.

To protect yourself and others, it is important that you store your weapons and ammunition safely, preferably in a locked gun cabinet. If you lose a weapon, you are legally obliged to report its loss to the police immediately.