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.
Art. 38 Enforcement by the cantons
1 The cantons shall enforce this Act where it does not declare the Confederation to be responsible. 2 They shall issue regulations for cantonal enforcement and notify the federal authorities of these regulations.
Art. 39
Repealed by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, with effect from 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 5499 5405 Art. 2 let. d; BBl 2006 2713).
Art. 40 Implementing provisions of the Federal Council
1 The Federal Council shall issue the implementing provisions for this Act. 2 In these provisions, it regulates, in particular, the form and content of the permits. 3 It determines which authorities enter data into the federal databases. 4 It may delegate implementation tasks to the FOCBS.
Para. 3 — Amended by 2 of the FD of 11 Dec. 2009 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). Para. 4 — Amended by No I 13 of the O of 12 June 2020 on the Amendment of Legislation as a consequence of the Change to the Name of the Federal Customs Administration as part of its further Development, in force since 1 J
Art. 41
Repealed by No I of the FA of 22 June 2007, with effect from 12 Dec. 2008 (AS 2008 5499 5405 Art. 2 let. d; BBl 2006 2713).
Art. 42 Transitional provision
1 Any person who is permitted to carry a weapon or trade in weapons under existing cantonal law and wishes to retain this right must apply for the appropriate permit within one year of this Act coming into force. 2 The right remains in force until a decision is reached on the application. 3 Import, export and transit permits under the War Materials Act of 30 June 1972 and 13 December 1996 retain their validity. 4 Any person who under existing law has a permit for the commercial import, export or transit of weapons, essential weapon components, ammunition and ammunition components may continue to bring these objects into Switzerland or export them on the basis of this permit. 5 Any person who is already in possession of weapons, essential or specially designed weapon components in accordance with Article 5 paragraph 2, or weapon accessories in accordance with Article 5 paragraph 1 letter g must register them with the cantonal authorities responsible for issuing exemption permits within
Para. 3 — [AS 1973 108. AS 1998 794 Art. 44] Para. 3 — SR 514.51 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). Para. 5 — 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). Para. 6 — 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). Para. 7 — Inserted by No I of the FA 22
Art. 42a Transitional provision on the amendment of 17 December 2004
1 Any person who is already in possession of a firearm or an essential weapon component in accordance with Article 10 must register the object with the reporting office of the canton of residence within one year of the amendment of 17 December 2004 coming into force. 2 The following objects do not have be registered in accordance with paragraph 1: a. firearms or essential weapon components that were acquired at the time by the holder of a weapons trading permit; b. Swiss army firearms whose ownership was transferred at the time by the military authorities.
Art. 42a — Inserted by Art. 3 No 6 of 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. 42b Transitional provision to the Amendment of 28 September 2018
1 Persons in possession of a firearm in accordance with Article 5 paragraph 1 letters b–d when the Amendment of 28 September 2018 to this Act comes into force must notify the competent authorities in their canton of residence of their lawful possession of the weapon within three years. 2 Notification is not required if the firearm is already registered in a cantonal information system on the acquisition of firearms in accordance with Article 32a paragraph 2.
Art. 42b — 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).
Art. 43 Referendum and commencement
1 This Act is subject to an optional referendum. 2 The Federal Council determines the commencement date. Commencement date: 1 January 1999
Para. 2 — FCD of 21 Sept. 1998.