Weapons / Ammunition
What counts as a weapon?
In Switzerland, the following are classified as weapons:
- All firearms, daggers and other types of knives, certain types of self-defence sprays, and electric shock devices
- Compressed air and CO₂ weapons that produce a muzzle energy of at least 7.5 joules.
- Toy, imitation, blank cartridge, airsoft and paintball guns that, due to their appearance, could be mistaken for real firearms.
- Devices that are designed to cause bodily harm, such as knuckledusters, truncheons, batons, throwing stars and slingshots with arm braces.
A comprehensive list can be found in Article 4 of the Weapons Act (Federal Act on Weapons, Weapon Accessories and Ammunition SR 514.54).
Who is allowed to own a weapon?
The Weapons Act regulates who is permitted to own a weapon in Switzerland. Depending on the type of weapon, you will need a contract, a weapon acquisition permit or a exemption permit to purchase it.
Before placing any online orders for weapons, weapon-like items or weapon accessories, make sure to do the following:
- Find out whether you need a permit to import the product you want into Switzerland.
If you have any doubts, please contact your cantonal weapons office or email the Central Office for Weapons - If a permit is required for the weapon, you will need an import permit from the Central Office for Weapons.
Please note that, depending on the type of weapon, you may have to apply to the cantonal weapons office for a weapon acquisition permit or an exemption permit . You will then need to submit this cantonal permit together with the application for a permit for importing weapons and any other required documents to the Central Office for Weapons.
You will find the application form for the import licence here, under ‘Nicht gewerbsmässiges Verbringen (Einfuhr)’ (the form is not available in English)
Order the weapon only after you have received the import permit from the Central Office for Weapons
Matters for which fedpol is responsible (Central Office for Weapons):
- Importing weapons
- Exporting weapons to a Schengen country
- Granting licences for prohibited ammunition
- Advising members of the public, law enforcement agencies, businesses and industry
Matters for which the cantonal weapons offices are responsible:
- Applications for weapon acquisition permits
- Applications for cantonal exemption permits
- Applications for and/or amendments to a European Firearms Pass
- Retrospective firearms registrations
- Written contracts for the transfer of a firearm
- Shooting practice records
- Applications for a permit to carry a weapon