fire arm ownership in France

[ROV]

has anyone had any experience with bringing a firearm into france or becoming members at a shooting club? I know that laws in europe are far stricter than in the states so I'm sure there are reams of paperwork involved. I would like to bring a long arm over as opposed to a pistol, which should make it easier. any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers. ROV

[rynd2it]

Originally Posted by ROV

has anyone had any experience with bringing a firearm into france or becoming members at a shooting club? I know that laws in europe are far stricter than in the states so I'm sure there are reams of paperwork involved. I would like to bring a long arm over as opposed to a pistol, which should make it easier. any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers. ROV

Yes, I brought a 12-gauge shotgun here from the US last year, there are different classifications for rifles, pistols etc so you will need to read up on that.

Step 1 is to decide where you will be living and then join a local shooting club, they can issue licenses for weapons. Note the season runs from 1st September so your license if granted now would only have a couple of months on it and there are no discounts for part seasons. It'll take you a month or so to process the paperwork before you actually have the license.

Step 2 is to apply for customs clearance (in advance of import) - the license is an integral part of this. Allow another couple of months for this to filter through.

Step 3 is to decide how to actually get it into the country - I shipped mine in our container and gave the customs paperwork to the shipping agent. Hand carrying (or in checked baggage) could present additional challenges.

I think I did a thread on this some time back which will have the web-site references but I can't find it right now. I did find that the shooting school were very helpful and, as they catered to tourists, spoke good English

Bon chance

[-mia-]

You can not bring it in the cabin. But you can (usually, check the airline) bring it as checked baggage. You'll need to inform the airline. Don't just send it down with your luggage! You must inform them and they will process it separately. Unloaded! Ammo and gun in different bags! They will end up in different compartments in the plane.

Here's an example from Delta:

http://www.delta.com/traveling_check...oods/index.jsp
http://www.delta.com/traveling_check...x.jsp#shooting

[hony]

Hello there,

Fire arms regulation is very complicated and restrictive in France. It depends on which kind of fire arm you want to have... Hand guns belongs to a different category than a 12G but a 12G shotgun and a 12G one shot hunter rifle are as well in different categories! From what I know, you will need to join a shooting Club anyway... or to obtain a Hunter Licence for a 12G which is not so simple (Knowledge about wildlife, guns, hunting rules etc)!! The Shooting club will then provide a document taht is like a review of your capabilities and liabilities to handle guns which they do not provide that easily!

So, you won't be able to bring any type of fire arms right away to France but to start with you would need to get into a Shooting club (Some clubs are requesting a partnership from an existing member). And just for you to know, in France it is totally ILLEGAL to carry a firearm even if you have a Licence... it authorize you only for transport in a safe container to your place to your club's. Polices and Army are the only ones authorized to carry guns!

TC,

D.