No, concealed carry without a permit is illegal in France under the Code de la Sécurité Intérieure (CSI). Only individuals with a valid port d’arme permit issued by the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture may carry a concealed firearm, subject to strict eligibility criteria. Unauthorized possession risks criminal charges under Articles 132-75 and 222-54 of the French Penal Code.
Key Regulations for Concealed Carry Without a Permit in France
- Permit Requirement: Concealed carry mandates a port d’arme permit, renewable annually, with issuance contingent on demonstrated “serious and immediate” threat (CSI, Art. L. 312-3). Self-defense alone does not suffice.
- Prohibited Categories: Firearms must be registered in the Fichier National des Armes (FNA), and semi-automatic handguns exceeding 20 rounds are banned post-2026 reforms under Décret n°2023-1334.
- Local Enforcement: Préfectures conduct background checks via Système d’Information sur les Armes (SIA), while municipal police verify compliance during random inspections. Violations trigger immediate confiscation.