Can I own a weapon?
Whether you may own a weapon depends entirely on its category under the Weapons Act of 8 June 2006. There are three categories. Prohibited weapons (art. 3) may never be owned (pepper spray, switchblades, automatic weapons …). Freely available weapons (art. 5) may be owned by an adult without a licence: deactivated weapons, certain historical weapons, alarm weapons, and non-firearms such as air guns below 7.5 joules. Licence-required weapons — essentially all real firearms (handguns, rifles) — may only be owned with a licence (model 4) from the Federal Weapons Service of the provincial governor, and only with a legitimate reason: sport shooter, hunter, collector or passive owner. For sport shooters this includes a theory and practical exam, a medical certificate and club membership. Every firearm is registered in the Central Weapons Register; the licence is valid 5 years and you must store your weapon safely at home (weapon and ammunition separate, locked away).
📋 The rules
- Three categories: prohibited (never), freely available (no licence), licence-required (real firearms)
- Licence (model 4) from the Federal Weapons Service; only with a legitimate reason (sport, hunting, collection, passive)
- Sport shooter: theory and practical exam, medical certificate (max 3 months old) and club membership
- Every firearm and transfer is registered in the Central Weapons Register; licence valid 5 years
- Safe storage: weapon and ammunition separate and locked away, so it is not readily usable
- Hunters and sport shooters may hold certain long guns on their hunting licence or sport-shooting licence
🔓 Exceptions
- Freely available weapons (deactivated, alarm, air below 7.5 J) may be owned by an adult without a licence
- An inherited weapon can be held passively (no ammunition/use) via a declaration to the weapons service
- Hunters and sport shooters may keep certain long guns on their hunting permit or sport-shooter licence, without a separate model 4 licence
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Holding a licensable firearm without a licence, or holding a prohibited weapon, carries a fine of up to 25,000 euros (before surcharges) and/or up to 5 years in prison, plus seizure of the weapon. Less dramatic but just as real: anyone who fails to renew the licence in time (it runs for 5 years) or ignores the storage rules risks having the licence withdrawn and the whole collection seized. Because every weapon and every transfer is logged in the Central Weapons Register, a gun you passed on privately simply stays registered in your name.
📎 Official sources
- FPS Justice · weapons →
- Police · what the Weapons Act says →
- Governor East Flanders · weapons licences (possession) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I just buy a firearm?
No. Real firearms are licensable: you need a licence (model 4) from the Federal Weapons Service and a legitimate reason. Sport shooters must also pass exams and produce a medical certificate.
Which weapons may I own without a licence?
Freely available weapons: deactivated guns, certain historical and alarm weapons, and non-firearms such as air guns below 7.5 joules. You do have to be an adult to buy them, and anything outside that category needs a model 4 licence.
What counts as a legitimate reason?
Sport shooting, hunting, a historical collection, an objectively serious security risk, or passive possession, for example an inherited weapon without ammunition. Without a legitimate reason there is no licence.
How must I store my weapon at home?
Safely and locked away, with the weapon (or an essential part) and the ammunition kept separately, so it is not immediately usable. The more weapons you own, the stricter the storage requirements become.
How long is my weapons licence valid?
Five years, after which it must be renewed. If you do not renew, or ignore the storage rules, the licence can be withdrawn and the weapon seized — it stays logged in the Central Weapons Register throughout.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “own weapon belgium licence”
- “firearm licence model 4”
- “weapon categories act”
- “sport shooter weapon exam”
- “store weapon safely”
- “renew weapons licence 5 years”