Upgraded weapon: how to regularize its situation?
Verified 01 April 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
As the classification of a weapon evolves, you need to check if you meet the conditions to continue to hold it.
The rules vary according to the new category of weapon:
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Category D weapon upgraded to Category C
You bought a weapon classified as category D which is subsequently upgraded to category C and subject to a reporting regime.
This is the case, for example, of a alarm and signaling weapon, upgraded to C12 since 1er July 2024:
- If you had an alarm and signaling weapon before 1er July 2024, you can keep it.
- If you buy an alarm and signaling weapon on 1er July 2024 or later, you must declare the weapon online and provide a medical certificate.
Category C weapon upgraded to Category B
You bought a weapon classified as Category C which is subsequently upgraded to Category B and subject to an authorization scheme. For example, some striped-barrel rifles have been upgraded to category B2 since 1er August 2018.
You can keep a weapon upgraded to category B if you meet the conditions corresponding to the regime of possession of a category B weapon. Thus, you must apply for authorization within 6 months following the entry into force of the upgrading of the weapon.
If permission is denied, you must divest of the gun. Ask your prefecture for instructions on how to proceed.
Category B weapon upgraded to Category A
You bought a weapon classified as Category B which is subsequently upgraded to Category A. For example, an automatic repetitive firearm turned into a semi-automatic weapon was upgraded to Category A (A1-11°).
He is forbidden individuals to acquire or possess a Class A firearm. If you have a weapon upgraded to A, you have to divest yourself of it. If you haven't, contact your prefecture to know the procedure to follow.
The rule depends on the vesting date.
Before 1 November 2021
If you have acquired before 1er November 2021 a self-repeating firearm converted into a 1-shot or a manual repetition firearm, upgraded since in Category A (A1-11°), you can keep that gun.
You must have one of the following:
- Valid Sports Shooting Authorization for this weapon, if the weapon was classified as Category B (B2° or B4°) before upgrading
- Initial Declaration Receipt if the weapon was classified as Category C before his upgrade.
You can continue to purchase the corresponding ammunition upon presentation to the gunsmith of this possession title.
On or after November 1, 2021
If you have acquired an automatic repetition firearm that has been converted to a 1-shot or manual repetition firearm on 1er November 2021 or later, you you have to divest yourself of it. The acquisition and possession of this weapon, classified as Category A (A1-11°), is forbidden.
If you haven't, contact your prefecture to know the procedure to follow.
Space holders of the Weapons Information System (AIS)
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Possession of an upgraded weapon after purchase
Divestiture of a weapon
Transitional and final provisions (Article 33)
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