Weapons Act (WA)
Amended 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).
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 Acquisition of Weapons and Essential Wea
Amended 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).
Art. 8 Duty to obtain a weapon acquisition permit
1 Any person who wishes to acquire a weapon or essential weapon component requires a weapon acquisition permit. 1bis Any person who applies for a weapon acquisition permit for a firearm that is not intended for use in sport, hunting or as a collector’s item must provide the reason for its acquisition. 2 A weapon acquisition permit shall not be issued to any person: a. who has not yet reached 18 years of age; b. who is subject to a general deputyship or is represented through a care appointee; c. if there is reason to believe that they may use the weapon to harm themselves or others; d. in respect of whom a conviction for an act that indicates a violent disposition or that presents a danger to public safety, or for repeated felonies or misdemeanours appears in a standard private extract in accordance with Article 41 of the Criminal Records Register Act of 17 June 2016. 2bis Any person who acquires firearms or essential weapon components through inheritance must apply for a weapon acquis
Art. 8 — Amended 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 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
Art. 9 Jurisdiction
1 The weapon acquisition permit is issued by the competent authority in the canton of residence, or for persons who reside abroad by the competent authority in the canton in which the weapon is acquired. 2 The authority shall obtain in advance an opinion from the cantonal authority in accordance with Article 6 of the Federal Act of 21 March 1997 on Measures to Safeguard Internal Security.
Art. 9 — 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. 2 — SR 120
Art. 9a Official attestation
1 Persons resident abroad must present the cantonal authority with an official attestation from their country of residence confirming they are authorised to acquire the weapon or essential weapon component. 1bis Foreign nationals who do not have a settlement permit but who are resident in Switzerland must present the competent cantonal authority with an official attestation from their home country confirming they are authorised to acquire the weapon or essential weapon component in that country. 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 where appropriate.
Art. 9a — 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. 1bis — 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. 9b Validity of the weapon acquisition permit
1 The weapon acquisition permit is valid throughout Switzerland and authorises the holder to acquire a single weapon or a single essential weapon component. 2 The Federal Council allows for exceptions regarding the replacement of essential weapon components for a legally authorised weapon, the acquisition of several weapons or essential weapon components by the same person, or acquisition through inheritance. 3 The weapon acquisition permit is valid for six months. The competent authorities may extend its validity by a maximum of three months.
Art. 9b — 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).
Art. 9c Notification by the person transferring possession
Any person who transfers the possession of a weapon or an essential weapon component must send a copy of the weapon acquisition permit of the person acquiring the weapon or essential weapon component to the authority responsible for issuing weapon acquisition permits under Article 9 within 30 days of concluding the contract.
Art. 9c — 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).
Art. 10 Exceptions to the duty to obtain a weapon acquisition permit
1 A weapon acquisition permit is not required for acquiring the following weapons and their essential components: a. single-shot and multi-barrel hunting rifles, and replicas of single-shot muzzle loaders; b. manual repetition rifles designated by the Federal Council and typically used for off-duty and recreational target shooting recognised under the Armed Forces Act of 3 February 1995 and for hunting purposes in Switzerland; c. single-shot rabbit slayers; d. 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; e. imitation, blank cartridge and airsoft weapons that can be mistaken for real firearms due to their appearance. 2 The Federal Council may define other exceptions or restrict the scope of application of paragraph 1 for foreign nationals in Switzerland who do not have a settlement permit.
Art. 10 — Amended 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 let. b — SR 510.10 Para. 1 let. e — 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. 10a Verification by the person transferring possession of a weapon
1 Any person who transfers the possession of a weapon or an essential weapon component that does not require a weapon acquisition permit (Art. 10) must verify the identity and age of the person acquiring the weapon or essential weapon component by means of an official identity document. 2 The possession of a weapon or essential weapon component may only be transferred if the person transferring possession may assume in the circumstances that there are no impediments for doing so under Article 8. 3 Article 9a applies by analogy. 4 The person transferring possession may ask the competent authority of the canton of residence of the person acquiring the weapon or weapon component whether there are any impediments to acquisition. This inquiry requires the written consent of the person acquiring the weapon or essential weapon component.
Art. 10a — 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. 4 — 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. 11 Written contract
1 A written contract must be concluded for transferring possession of any weapon or essential weapon component that does not require a weapon acquisition permit (Art. 10). Each contracting party must retain the contract for at least ten years. 2 The contract must contain the following details: a. surname, first name, date of birth, home address and signature of the person who is transferring possession of the weapon or essential weapon component; b. surname, first name, date of birth, home address and signature of the person who is acquiring the weapon or essential weapon component; c. type of weapon, manufacturer, model, calibre, weapon number and the date and place of transfer; d. type and number of the official identity document of the person who is acquiring the weapon or essential weapon component, or a copy of the identity document where possession of the weapon is transferred; e. a reference to the processing of personal data in connection with the contract in accordance with th
Art. 11 — Amended 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. 2 let. c — 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. 2 let. d — Amended by the Annex to the FD of 28 Sept. 2018 on the approval and th
Art. 11a Lending of sports weapons to minors
1 A minor may borrow a sports weapon from their shooting club or their legal representative if they can prove that they regularly use this weapon for target shooting and if no impediment under Article 8 paragraph 2 letter b or c applies. 2 The legal representative must notify the reporting office in the minor’s canton of residence about the loan of the weapon within 30 days. The reporting office may also be notified by the club that loaned the weapon providing that the legal representative has knowledge of this notification. 3 The Federal Council regulates the details.
Art. 11a — 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).
Section 2 Possession of Weapons and Essential Weap
Amended 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).
Art. 12 Conditions
Any person who has lawfully acquired a weapon or an essential or specially designed weapon component is authorised to possess the same.
Art. 12 — 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. 13 and 14
Repealed 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, with effect from 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 447 5405 Art. 1 let. e; BBl 2004 5965).