Can I shoot with an air gun?
Yes, shooting with an air gun is allowed, but only safely, with a legitimate reason and in a suitable place. Air, gas or spring guns are, under the Weapons Act of 8 June 2006, in principle freely available (art. 5): all long air guns and short air guns up to 7.5 joules muzzle energy may be bought by an adult (18+) without a licence, on showing ID. Freely available does not mean unregulated: you need a legitimate reason (e.g. sport shooting) and must shoot safely. That means: on private property, with a proper backstop, out of sight of the public road and certainly not on or across it, and without danger or nuisance to others. A more powerful short gun (above 7.5 joules) or one that resembles or can be converted into a real firearm may be licence-required. Municipalities can also restrict shooting in built-up areas. Minors may only shoot under supervision (e.g. in a recognized club).
📋 The rules
- All long air guns and short ones up to 7.5 joules are freely available from age 18 (with ID)
- Shoot only on private property, with a backstop, out of sight of / not toward the public road
- No danger or nuisance to others; you need a legitimate reason (sport shooting)
- Above 7.5 joules or resembling/convertible to a real firearm: possibly licence-required
- The municipal regulation can restrict or forbid shooting in built-up areas
- Minors may not buy and may only shoot under supervision (e.g. in a recognized club)
🔓 Exceptions
- In a recognized range or club their own safety rules apply and a minor may shoot when accompanied
- Reckless or threatening use makes the gun a prohibited weapon by circumstance
- Above 7.5 joules, or if the gun resembles (or can be converted into) a real firearm, it may still require a licence
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The most dangerous misunderstanding is that an air gun is "only" an air gun. Threaten someone with it, or shoot towards the public road, and the circumstances turn it into a prohibited weapon: the penalties of the Weapons Act and the Criminal Code then apply, with a fine of up to 25,000 euros (before surcharges) and/or up to 5 years in prison. The same rifle that stays legal in your garden earns you a criminal record the moment you point it at the street. If it stays a purely local breach, you get a GAS fine of up to 500 euros for adults (175 euros for minors).
📎 Official sources
- Police · what the Weapons Act says →
- FPS Justice · weapon categories →
- ejustice · Weapons Act of 8 June 2006 →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I buy an air gun without a licence?
Yes, as an adult (18+) on presentation of your ID card: all long air guns and short ones up to 7.5 joules are freely available. More powerful models, or ones resembling a firearm, may still need a licence.
Can I shoot in my garden?
Only safely: on your own land, with a solid backstop, out of sight of the public road and never onto or across it. On top of that, the municipal regulation may restrict or ban shooting inside built-up areas.
From what age may I shoot?
Buying is allowed from 18, on presentation of your ID card. Minors may not buy and may only shoot under supervision, for example in a recognized club, where the club rules also apply.
Can an air gun still be licensable?
Yes. A short gun above 7.5 joules can be, as can a model that resembles a real firearm or can be converted into one. The joule limit is therefore not the whole story: check the look of the gun as well.
What if I shoot towards the street?
That is banned and dangerous: the circumstances turn your gun into a prohibited weapon. You risk prosecution under the Weapons Act and the Criminal Code, plus a GAS fine for the local regulation.
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