Yes, airsoft guns are legal in France under strict conditions. Ownership requires a valid Carte Européenne d’Armes à Feu (CEAF) for semi-automatic models over 0.5 joules. Local prefectures enforce compliance, while the 2026 Loi Sécurité Globale tightens storage and transport rules.
Key Regulations for Airsoft Guns in France
- Power Limits: Airsoft guns exceeding 2 joules are classified as firearms, mandating registration with the Préfecture and a Permis de Chasse or Licence de Tir.
- Storage Requirements: Unused airsoft guns must be locked in a secured safe (NF A2P standard) when not in use, per Code de la Sécurité Intérieure Article R317-1.
- Public Carriage: Transporting airsoft guns requires a locked case and prior declaration to local authorities if crossing departmental borders, aligning with Décret n°2020-1310.
Additional Notes:
- Orange Tips: Mandatory for all airsoft guns sold post-2021, per EU Directive 2017/853.
- Age Restrictions: Minors under 18 may only use airsoft guns in supervised stands de tir or private fields with parental consent.
- Field Compliance: Commercial airsoft fields must register with the Fédération Française de Tir (FFTir) and adhere to Code du Sport safety protocols.
Violations incur penalties up to €75,000 or 3 years imprisonment under Code Pénal Article 222-54, particularly for unregistered high-power models.