How old do I have to be to get a gun licence?
Conditional — you must be 20 to get a firearm licence in Iceland, not 18, and age is only one of several conditions. Under the Weapons Act no. 16/1998 and regulation no. 787/1998, an applicant for a firearm licence must be at least 20, be mentally sound and not deprived of legal capacity, have a clean criminal record to the extent the law requires, and complete a course with a theory and a practical exam. The licence is issued by the police commissioner. The myth is that a gun licence tracks the 18-year age of majority — that is wrong; the limit is 20, as with alcohol. Licences are split into classes by type of weapon, and stricter conditions apply to more powerful firearms. Rules on registration, storage and oversight were tightened by a legislative change in 2024, so the requirements for secure storage and registration are stricter than many remember.
📋 The rules
- An applicant for a firearm licence must be at least 20 under the Weapons Act no. 16/1998.
- The applicant must be mentally sound, not deprived of legal capacity and have a clean criminal record to the extent the law requires.
- You must complete a firearms course with a theory and a practical exam before a licence is granted; the police commissioner issues it.
- Licences are split into classes by type of weapon, and stricter conditions apply to more powerful firearms (e.g. handguns and semi-automatics).
- Rules on registration, storage and oversight were tightened in 2024; a firearm must be stored securely and separately from ammunition.
🔓 Exceptions
- Special rules apply to shooting clubs and training, where young people under 20 may practise marksmanship under supervision and through a club without holding a licence themselves.
- Hunting also requires a hunting card in addition to the firearm licence; the licence alone does not authorise hunting.
- Other, stricter requirements apply to the import, sale and most powerful weapons, which are subject to special licensing and oversight by the National Commissioner of Police.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Firearms are among the things the state controls most tightly, and the penalties reflect it. Owning or handling a firearm without a licence, getting someone under 20 to acquire a weapon, or storing a weapon insecurely, are breaches of the Weapons Act that can bring fines or imprisonment and seizure of the weapons. The most serious consequence for a lawful licence-holder is revocation of the licence: if they no longer meet the conditions — through offences, health or unsafe storage — the police commissioner can revoke the licence and confiscate the weapons. The hidden cost came into sharper focus with the tighter rules of 2024 on registration and storage: whoever leaves a weapon poorly stored is liable if it falls into the wrong hands and causes harm, and such civil and criminal liability can be far heavier than any licence fee. Serious breaches also leave a criminal record that blocks renewal and has consequences far beyond the sport or the hunting itself.
📎 Official sources
- Althingi · Weapons Act no. 16/1998 →
- Regulation on firearms and ammunition no. 787/1998 →
- Ísland.is / Police · firearm licence and classes →
❓ Frequently asked
Is the gun-licence age 18 or 20?
It is 20, not 18, so a firearm licence does not track the general age of majority but the same limit as alcohol. Age is only one condition of several, since the applicant also needs a clean criminal record, mental soundness and to complete a course with an exam.
What do I have to do to get a firearm licence?
You must be at least 20, meet the conditions on health and a clean criminal record, and complete a firearms course with a theory and a practical exam. After that you apply to the police commissioner, who issues the licence, and licences are split into classes by type of weapon.
Can I shoot at a range if I am under 20?
Yes, special rules apply to shooting clubs where young people under 20 may practise marksmanship under supervision and through a club without holding a licence themselves. Outside such organised, supervised settings the 20-year rule still applies, and no one under age may acquire or keep a firearm of their own.
Is a firearm licence enough to go hunting?
No, hunting requires both a firearm licence and a separate hunting card, and the licence alone does not authorise hunting. The hunting card relates to wildlife management and reporting of catches, so the firearm licence covers the weapon while the hunting card covers the right to hunt.
What happens if I store a weapon badly or own one without a licence?
Owning or handling a firearm without a licence, or storing it insecurely, breaches the Weapons Act and can bring fines or imprisonment and seizure of the weapons. Rules on registration and storage were tightened in 2024, and a licence-holder who no longer meets the conditions can be stripped of the licence and lose the weapons.
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