Weapons Act (WA)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Section 1 Subject Matter, Scope of Application and
Art. 1 Purpose and subject matter
1 The purpose of this Act is to prevent the improper use of weapons, weapon components, weapon accessories, ammunition and ammunition components. 2 It regulates the acquisition, bringing into Switzerland, export, storage, possession, carrying, transport, brokerage, manufacture of, and trade in: a. weapons, essential or specially designed weapon components, and weapon accessories; b. ammunition and ammunition components. 3 The purpose of this Act is also to prevent the improper carrying of dangerous objects.
Art. 1 — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 5499 5405 Art. 2 let. d; BBl 2006 2713).
Art. 2 Scope of application
1 This Act does not apply to the Swiss Army, the Federal Intelligence Service, the customs authorities or the police services. Nor does it apply to the military authorities, with the exception of Articles 32abis, 32c and 32j. 2 Antique weapons are governed solely by Articles 27 and 28, and by the relevant criminal provisions of this Act. Antique weapons are defined as firearms that were manufactured before 1870, and cut, thrust or other weapons that were manufactured before 1900. 3 This Act applies without prejudice to the provisions of federal hunting and military legislation.
Art. 2 — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 5499 5405 Art. 2 let. d; BBl 2006 2713). Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the FA of 23 Dec. 2011, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 4551 6775; BBl 2011 4555).
Art. 3 Right to acquire, possess and carry weapons
The right to acquire, possess and carry weapons in compliance with this Act is guaranteed.
Art. 4 Definitions
1 Weapons are defined as: a. devices that allow projectiles to be fired by means of a propellant charge and that can be carried and operated by a single person, or objects that can be converted into such devices (firearms); b. devices that are intended to permanently endanger a person’s health through the spraying or vaporisation of substances; c. knives whose blade can be opened by means of an automatic mechanism that requires the use of one hand only, butterfly knives, throwing knives, and daggers with a symmetrical blade; d. devices that are intended to injure a person, in particular knuckledusters, simple or spring batons, throwing stars and slingshots; e. electrical shock devices that can impair a person’s power of resistance or permanently damage a person’s health; f. compressed air and CO2 weapons that develop a muzzle energy of at least 7.5 joules or that can be mistaken for real firearms due to their appearance; g. imitation, blank cartridge and airsoft weapons that can be mis
Art. 4 — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 5499 5405 Art. 2 let. d; BBl 2006 2713). Para. 2bis let. b — Inserted by the Annex to the FD of 28 Sept. 2018 on the approval and the implementation of the exchange of notes between Switzerland and the EU on the adoption of Directive (EU) 2017/853 on the Amendment of the EU Weapons Directive, in force since 15 Aug. 2019 (AS 2019 2415; BBl 2018 1881). Para. 2ter — Originally para. 2bis. Inserted by No I of th
Section 2 General Bans and Restrictions
Art. 5 Bans relating to weapons, weapon components and weapon accessories
1 The transfer, acquisition, brokerage for recipients in Switzerland, bringing into Switzerland and the possession of the following weapons are prohibited: a. automatic firearms and military launching devices for ammunition, for projectiles or for missiles that have an explosive effect, and their essential or specially designed components; b. automatic firearms modified to semi-automatic firearms, and their essential components; the foregoing does not apply to Swiss army firearms the ownership of which is acquired by the holder directly from the military authorities, and to components essential for maintaining the functionality of such weapons; c. the following semi-automatic centrefire weapons: 1. handguns equipped with a high-capacity loading device, 2. small firearms equipped with a high-capacity loading device; d. semi-automatic small firearms that may be shortened by means of a folding or telescopic shaft or without auxiliary means to a length of less than 60 cm, without losing an
Art. 5 — Amended by the Annex to the FD of 28 Sept. 2018 on the approval and the implementation of the exchange of notes between Switzerland and the EU on the adoption of Directive (EU) 2017/853 on the Amendment of the EU Weapons Directive, in force since 15 Aug. 2019 (AS 2019 2415; BBl 2018 1881).
Art. 6 Bans and restrictions relating to ammunition
1 The Federal Council may prohibit or make subject to compliance with special conditions the acquisition, possession, manufacture and bringing into Switzerland of ammunition and ammunition components that are proven to potentially cause serious injury. 2 Ammunition and ammunition components that are used at ordinary shooting events or for hunting are exempt.
Art. 6 — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 5499 5405 Art. 2 let. d; BBl 2006 2713).
Art. 6a Inheritance
1 Any person who acquires through inheritance weapons, essential or specially designed weapon components or weapon accessories that are prohibited under Article 5 paragraph 1 must apply for an exemption permit within six months. 2 Foreign nationals who do not have a settlement permit but who are resident in Switzerland may only be granted an exemption permit for the acquisition of a weapon, an essential or specially designed weapon component or weapon accessory under Article 5 paragraph 1 if they submit an official attestation from their home country confirming that they are authorised to acquire such an object.
Art. 6a — Inserted by Art. 3 No 6 of the FD of 17 Dec. 2004 on the Adoption and Implementation of the Bilateral Agreements between Switzerland and the EU on the Association with Schengen and Dublin (AS 2008 447; BBl 2004 5965). Amended by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 5499 5405 Art. 2 let. d; BBl 2006 2713).
Art. 6b Official attestation
1 Persons who are resident abroad may only be granted an exemption permit for the acquisition of a weapon, an essential or specially designed weapon component or weapon accessory under Article 5 paragraph 1 if they submit an official attestation from their country of residence confirming that they are authorised to acquire such an object. 2 Where there is doubt as to the authenticity of the attestation or the person is not able to submit such an attestation, the canton shall forward the file to the Central Office. The Central Office shall examine the attestation or may issue one if appropriate.
Art. 6b — Inserted by Art. 3 No 6 of the FD of 17 Dec. 2004 on the Adoption and Implementation of the Bilateral Agreements between Switzerland and the EU on the Association with Schengen and Dublin, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 447 5405 Art. 1 let. e; BBl 2004 5965). Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 5499 5405 Art. 2 let. d; BBl 2006 2713).
Art. 7 Ban for nationals of certain states
1 The Federal Council may prohibit the acquisition, possession, offering for acquisition, brokerage or transfer of weapons, essential or specially designed weapon components, weapon accessories, ammunition and ammunition components, and the carrying of and shooting with weapons by nationals of certain states: a. if there is considerable risk of improper use; b. in order to take into account resolutions by the international community or principles of Swiss foreign policy. 2 The cantons may exceptionally allow persons referred to in paragraph 1 who participate in hunting or shooting events or who perform tasks relating to the protection of people or property to acquire, possess or carry a weapon, or to shoot.
Art. 7 — Amended by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 5499 5405 Art. 2 let. d; BBl 2006 2713).
Art. 7a Implementation
1 Persons subject to a ban under Article 7 paragraph 1 must register weapons, essential or specially designed weapon components, weapon accessories, ammunition and ammunition components with the competent authority in their canton of residence within two months of the ban coming into force. 2 They may submit an application for an exemption permit within six months of the ban coming into force. Failing that, they must transfer possession of the objects to an authorised person within this deadline. 3 If the application for an exemption permit is refused, the objects must be transferred to the possession of an authorised person within four months of the application being rejected: failing that, the objects will be confiscated.
Art. 7a — Inserted by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 5499 5405 Art. 2 let. d; BBl 2006 2713).
Art. 7b Prohibited forms of supply
1 It is prohibited to offer weapons, essential or specially designed weapons components, weapon accessories, ammunition and ammunition components for acquisition if the competent authorities are unable to identify the supplier. 2 It is prohibited to offer weapons, essential or specially designed weapon components, weapon accessories, ammunition and ammunition components for acquisition at public exhibitions and markets. Registered suppliers at public weapons trade fairs and authorised by the competent authority are exempt.
Art. 7b — Inserted by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, in force since 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 5499 5405 Art. 2 let. d; BBl 2006 2713).