Class A Firearms and War Materials
Verified 18 September 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The acquisition and possession of a Class A firearm are prohibited except for exceptions. These are firearms (category A1) and war material (category A2). This page presents the main rules to know about weapons classified in category A.
He is prohibited acquire or possess a Class A1 firearm, with some exceptions.
Ranking | Designation | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
A1 - 1° | Firearm camouflaged as another object | |
A1 - 2° | Handgun regardless of type or operating system | Allows the firing of more than 21 rounds without replenishment. The feeding system (charger) has a capacity of more than 20 cartridges. The magazine is integrated into the weapon, or removable and inserted into the weapon. |
A1 - 3° | Semi-automatic long gun with annular percussion | Allows the firing of more than 31 rounds without replenishment. The magazine has a capacity of more than 30 cartridges. The magazine is integrated into the weapon, or removable and inserted into the weapon. |
A1 - 3° bis | Semi-automatic center percussion long gun | Allows you to shoot more than 11 shots without recharging. The magazine has a capacity of more than 10 cartridges. The magazine is integrated into the weapon, or removable and inserted into the weapon. Note: the weapon remains classified as category B if the magazine is not inserted. Only the charger is classified as category A. |
A1 - 3° b | Semi-automatic long gun | Band power system regardless of capacity |
A1-3c | Manual repetition long gun | Allows the firing of more than 31 rounds without replenishment. The magazine has a capacity of more than 30 cartridges. The magazine is integrated into the weapon, or removable and inserted into the weapon. |
A1 - 4° | Striped-barrel firearm and its ammunition | The projectile of the weapon has a maximum diameter of 20 mm or more unless the weapon is designed to fire exclusively non-metallic projectiles. |
A1 - 5° | Smooth-barreled firearm and its ammunition | The caliber of the ammunition is greater than 8. Note: Certain smooth-barreled firearms and their ammunition are classified in category C or D by ministerial decision. |
A1 - 6° | Ammunition with a projectile of 20 mm or more | These munitions are classified as category C if they are used by a weapon classified as category C. |
A1 - 7° | Components of weapons and components of ammunition classified in category A1 | |
A1 - 8° | Handgun Feeding System | The feeding system contains more than 20 rounds of ammunition. |
A1 - 9° | Annular percussion long gun feeding system | The feeding system contains more than 30 rounds of ammunition. |
A1 - 9° bis | Semi-automatic repetition long gun feeding system with central percussion | The feeding system contains more than 10 rounds of ammunition. |
A1 - 9° b | Manual repetition and central percussion long gun feeding system | The feeding system contains more than 30 rounds of ammunition. |
A1 - 10° | Weapon or type of weapon having technical characteristics equivalent to a weapon classified in category A1 | The weapon is classified in category A1 by ministerial decision for reasons related to its dangerousness, public order or national security. |
A1 - 11° | Automatic repetitive firearm transformed into a semi-automatic repetitive firearm, a manual repetitive firearm or a single shot firearm | The transformation of the weapon allows it to become a firearm that meets the criteria of a semi-automatic, manual repetition or single shot weapon. |
A1 - 12° | Semi-automatic long gun | The length of the weapon can be reduced to less than 60 cm using a foldable or telescopic stick, or a removable stick without tools, without losing its functionality. |
A1 - 13° | Knife, cutlery and machete, fixed blade (said zombie knife ) | Has a sharp side, a pointed end, a serrated side and has in addition either more than one hole in the blade, or several sharp points. |
A1 - 14° |
| By its design, the weapon allows 4 fingers to be protected and hold the weapon while enhancing the vulnerable effectiveness of the strike. |
Warning
If you have a weapon of category A1 - 13° or A1 - 14°, you have until 7 december 2025 inclusive to hand them over to a police station or gendarmerie brigade for destruction. A receipt will be given to you.
He is prohibited acquire or possess a Class A2 firearm, with some exceptions.
Weapons classified in category A2 are war material, material intended to carry or use firearms in combat, and material for protection against combat gases.
Examples: automatic repetition weapon, cannon, mortar, rocket launcher, torpedo, mine, missile, grenade.
Sports shooter
One sports shooter may be authorized, subject to conditions, to acquire and possess a category A1 - 3° bis firearm.
It is a semi-automatic long-gun with central percussion that can fire more than 11 rounds without reloading, the magazine of which, with a capacity of more than 10 cartridges, is an integral part of the weapon, or is removable and has been inserted into it.
Please note
In case category B weapon upgraded to category A, a sports shooter must regularize his situation if necessary.
Other person
Certain persons may be permitted to acquire and possess a Class A firearm in consideration of their professional activity.
For example, a licensed weapons and ammunition expert at the Court of Cassation or near a court of appeal.
Acquiring, possessing or selling one or more Class A weapons without authorization shall be punished by a prison sentence of 5 years maximum and one fine of €75,000 maximum.
The prison sentence is 10 years maximum and the fine of €500,000 maximum when the offense is committed in organized gang.
The judge pronounces the additional penalties unless a reasoned decision is given:
- Prohibition to possess or carry a licensed weapon for a maximum period of 15 years
- Confiscation of one or more weapons owned or freely available to the convicted person.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
- Prefecture
If you live in Paris
Paris Police Prefecture - Weapons and Explosives Section
The weapons and explosives section does not receive users.
By mail
Police Prefecture
Directorate of General Police
Bureau of Administrative Police
Arms and Explosives Section
1 bis rue de Lutèce
75195 Paris Cedex 04
By courier
From contact form
Classification of weapons
Classification of war material, weapons and ammunition
Conditions for issuing a license for the acquisition and possession of category A and B weapons
Exception to the prohibition on the acquisition of a category A weapon for certain collectors (Article R312-27)
Exception to the prohibition on the acquisition of a Class A weapon for licensed forensic experts
Exception to the prohibition on the acquisition of a category A weapon for sport shooters (Article R312-40)
Online service
FAQ
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr