Can a minor hold a gun?
Verified 27 August 2025 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
The possession of a weapon by a minor is subject to conditions depending on the age, type of weapon and the activity practiced, sport shooting or hunting.
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Minor aged 16 or 17
The possession of a weapon by a young person who is 16 or 17 years old is subject to conditions depending on the type of weapon and the activity practiced, sport shooting or hunting.
To hunt
A minor of plus 16 years may possess a firearm Category C and D if it meets the following two conditions:
- Credit memo the authorization of a person exercising parental authority not listed in FINIADA: titleContent
- Have a hunting permitissued in France or abroad, or a document used as a permit to hunt foreigner, accompanied by current year or previous year validation.
Failure to comply with these regulations is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
For sport shooting, ball-strap or biathlon
Category D weapon
A minor of 16 years of age or older may possess the following weapon of category D : weapon or launcher whose projectile is propelled in a non-pyrotechnic manner with an energy at the mouth of between 2 and 20 joules. For example, a paint-ball launcher, an air rifle.
The young person must fill in the 2 conditions following:
- Credit memo the authorization of a person exercising parental authority not listed in FINIADA: titleContent
- Have a valid license from the French Shooting Federation, ball-trap or biathlon.
Failure to comply with these regulations is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
Category C weapon
A minor of 16 years of age or older may hold a Category C weapon if it fills in the 2 conditions following:
- Credit memo the authorization of a person exercising parental authority not listed in FINIADA: titleContent
- Have a valid license from the French Shooting Federation, ball-trap or biathlon.
Failure to comply with these regulations is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
Category A and B weapon (international shooting competitions)
A minor of 16 years of age or older may be allowed possess certain category A and B firearms (handguns, long guns, etc.) if they meet all of the following conditions:
- Be selected to participate in international shooting competitions
- Be a member of a accredited sports association
- Have a valid license of the French Shooting Federation
- Credit memo the favorable opinion of the French Shooting Federation. This opinion is linked to the regular practice of shooting.
The young person may detain maximum 15 weapons authorized to practice sport shooting.
Failure to comply with these regulations is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
1-Shot Ring Percussion Handgun (Category B1)
A minor of 16 years of age or older may be allowed to hold a 1-shot ring-firing handgun (classified as category B1) if it fulfills all of the following conditions:
- Credit memo the authorization of a person exercising parental authority not listed in FINIADA: titleContent certifying that the weapon is held for the practice of sport shooting by a minor not participating in international competitions
- Be a member of a accredited sports association
- Have a valid license of the French Shooting Federation
- Credit memo the favorable opinion of the French Shooting Federation.
The young person may detain maximum 3 1-shot ring-firing handguns.
Failure to comply with these regulations is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
Minor aged 12 to 15 years inclusive
The possession of a weapon by a young person aged 12 to 15 years inclusive is subject to conditions depending on the type of weapon.
Category D weapon
A minor of 12 years of age or older may possess the following weapon of category D : weapon or launcher whose projectile is propelled in a non-pyrotechnic manner with an energy at the mouth of between 2 and 20 joules. For example, a paint-ball launcher, an air rifle.
The young person must fill in the 2 conditions following:
- Credit memo the authorization of a person exercising parental authority not listed in FINIADA: titleContent
- Have a valid license from the French Shooting Federation, ball-trap or biathlon.
Failure to comply with these regulations is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
Category C weapon
A minor of over 12 years of age may hold a Category C weapon if it fills in the 2 conditions following:
- Credit memo the authorization of a person exercising parental authority not listed in FINIADA: titleContent
- Have a valid license from the French Shooting Federation, ball-trap or biathlon.
Failure to comply with these regulations is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
Category A or B weapon (international shooting competitions)
A minor of 12 years of age or older may be allowed possess certain category A and B firearms (handguns, long guns, etc.) if they meet all of the following conditions:
- Be selected to participate in international shooting competitions
- Be a member of a accredited sports association
- Have a valid license of the French Shooting Federation
- Credit memo the favorable opinion of the French Shooting Federation. This opinion is linked to the regular practice of shooting.
The young person may detain maximum 15 weapons authorized to practice sport shooting.
Failure to comply with these regulations is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
Single-shot ring-shaped percussion handgun (category B1)
A minor of 12 years of age or older may be allowed to hold a 1-shot ring-firing handgun (classified as category B1) if it fulfills all of the following conditions:
- Credit memo the authorization of a person exercising parental authority not listed in FINIADA: titleContent certifying that the weapon is held for the practice of sport shooting by a minor not participating in international competitions
- Be a member of a accredited sports association
- Have a valid license of the French Shooting Federation
- Credit memo the favorable opinion of the French Shooting Federation.
The young person may detain maximum 3 1-shot ring-firing handguns.
Failure to comply with these regulations is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
Minor aged 9 to 11 years inclusive
A minor of over 9 years old may only possess the following weapon of category D : weapon or launcher whose projectile is propelled in a non-pyrotechnic manner with an energy at the mouth of between 2 and 20 joules. For example, a paint-ball launcher, an air rifle.
The child must complete the 2 conditions following:
- Credit memo the authorization of a person exercising parental authority not listed in FINIADA: titleContent
- Have a valid license of the French shooting, ball-trap or biathlon federation.
Failure to comply with these regulations is punishable by a fine of up to €750.
On the same subject
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Paris Police Prefecture - Weapons and Explosives Section
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75195 Paris Cedex 04
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Classification of weapons
Age requirement (Article L312-1)
Classification of war material, weapons and ammunition
Acquisition ban for minors
Sports shooting
Rules for the acquisition and possession of weapons
Penalties for the purchase and possession of weapons (Article R317-1)
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