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 Trade in Weapons
Art. 17
1 Any person who commercially acquires, offers for acquisition, passes on or brokers weapons, essential or specially designed weapon components, ammunition or ammunition components requires a weapons trading permit. 2 A weapons trading permit is granted to a person who: a. is not subject to an impediment under Article 8 paragraph 2; b. is registered in the commercial register; c. in a test has shown themselves to possess adequate knowledge of the relevant weapons and ammunition, and the statutory provisions; d. has special commercial premises in which weapons, essential and specially designed weapon components, weapon accessories, ammunition and ammunition components can be kept securely; e. guarantees the proper conduct of their business affairs. 3 Legal entities must designate a member of the management who is responsible within the company for all aspects concerning this Act. 4 The Federal Department of Justice and Police issues the examination regulations and defines the minimum re
Art. 17 — 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).
Section 2 Manufacture of Weapons
Art. 18 Commercial manufacture, repair and conversion
A weapons trading permit is required by any person who commercially: a. manufactures weapons, essential or specially designed weapon components, weapon accessories, ammunition or ammunition components; b. modifies weapon parts that are essential to its functioning or impact; or c. repairs or converts firearms, their essential or specially designed weapon components, weapon accessories, ammunition or ammunition components.
Art. 18 — Amended by Art. 2 of the FD of 11 Dec. 2009 on the Adoption and Implementation of the Exchange of Notes between Switzerland and the EC concerning the Adoption of Directive 2008/51/EC on Amending the Weapons Directive, in force since 28 July 2010 (AS 2010 2899; BBl 2009 3649).
Art. 18a Marking of firearms
1 Manufacturers of firearms and their essential components or accessories must mark these objects individually and clearly for the purpose of identification and traceability. ... . 2 All firearms and their essential components and accessories brought into Switzerland must be marked individually and clearly. 3 Markings must be applied in such a way that they cannot be removed or altered without mechanical effort. 4 The Federal Council may make provision for unmarked firearms to be brought into Switzerland for a maximum of one year.
Art. 18a — 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). Para. 1 — Second sentence repealed by the Annex to the FD of 28 Sept. 2018 on the Adoption and Implementation of the Exchange of Notes between Switzer
Art. 18b Marking of ammunition
1 Manufacturers of ammunition must mark every elementary package of ammunition individually for the purpose of identification and traceability. 2 Every elementary package of ammunition brought into Switzerland must be marked individually.
Art. 18b — Inserted by Art. 2 of the FD of 11 Dec. 2009 on the Adoption and Implementation of the Exchange of Notes between Switzerland and the EC concerning the Adoption of Directive 2008/51/EC on Amending the Weapons Directive, in force since 28 July 2010 (AS 2010 2899; BBl 2009 3649).
Art. 19 Non-commercial manufacture and conversion
1 The non-commercial manufacture of weapons, essential components or specially designed weapon components, weapon accessories, ammunition and ammunition components, and the non-commercial conversion of objects into weapons as defined in Article 5 paragraphs 1 and 2 are prohibited. 2 The non-commercial conversion of objects into weapons or essential weapon components other than those specified in Article 5 paragraph 1 requires a permit. Articles 8, 9, 9b paragraph 3, 9c, 10, 11 paragraphs 3 and 5 and Article 12 apply by analogy. 3 The cantons may allow exceptions to the prohibitions in paragraph 1. The Federal Council shall define the conditions in more detail. 3 Reloading ammunition for personal use is permitted.
Art. 19 — 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. 20 Prohibited alteration
1 It is prohibited to modify semi-automatic firearms into automatic firearms, alter or remove weapon numbers, and shorten small firearms. 2 The cantons may allow exceptions. The Federal Council defines the conditions in more detail.
Art. 20 — 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).
Section 3 Maintaining Records and Duty of Disclosu
Art. 21 Maintaining records and notification requirement
1 Holders of weapons trading permits are required to maintain records on the manufacture, modification, procurement, sale or other distribution of weapons, essential or specially designed weapon components, weapon accessories, ammunition and gunpowder, and on repairs that re-establish the shooting capability of firearms. 1bis They are required to give online notice within 20 days to the cantonal authority responsible for operating the information system (Art. 32a Abs. 2) of any procurement, sale or other distribution to an acquirer in Switzerland. 1ter The cantons shall designate an authority that accepts reports from holders of weapons trading permits of suspicious transactions involving ammunition or ammunition components. 2 The records and copies of the weapon acquisition permits and exemption permits (documents) must be retained for ten years. 3 The documents must be submitted to the cantonal authority responsible for operating the information system (Art. 32a para. 2): a. on expir
Art. 21 — Amended by Art. 2 of the FD of 11 Dec. 2009 on the Adoption and Implementation of the Exchange of Notes between Switzerland and the EC concerning the Adoption of Directive 2008/51/EC on Amending the Weapons Directive, in force since 28 July 2010 (AS 2010 2899; BBl 2009 3649). Art. 21 — Amended by the Annex to the FD of 28 Sept. 2018 on the approval and the implementation of the exchange of notes between Switzer-land and the EU on the adoption of Directive (EU) 2017/853 on the Amendment
Art. 22 Duty of disclosure
Holders of weapons trading permits and their employees are required to disclose to the supervisory authorities all information necessary for proper control.