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FIREARMS LAW · SWITZERLAND
The documents you need depend on the legal category and your individual circumstances. This overview points you to the relevant Swiss authorities.
EXPLORE CATEGORIES ↘Acquiring a firearm in Switzerland: steps and permit finder →
01 / BASICS
Personal eligibility requirements apply when acquiring a firearm. Generally, these include being at least 18, not being under comprehensive guardianship and having no statutory disqualifying factors, such as a risk to yourself or others or certain criminal record entries.
Additional rules apply to foreign nationals and certain nationalities. The firearms office of your canton of residence makes the authoritative assessment of your case.
Firearms information from fedpol ↗02 / OVERVIEW
Choose a category. The competent firearms office confirms the classification of any specific model.
Some non-firearms also fall under Swiss firearms law. Acquiring them requires a written contract that both parties retain for ten years. Consult the authorities for the exact classification and personal requirements.
Check categories at fedpol ↗A written contract is generally required to acquire a firearm in this category. The transferring party sends a copy to the acquirer’s cantonal firearms office within 30 days. Additional requirements may apply to people without a category C settlement permit.
Examples and process at fedpol ↗This category requires a firearm acquisition permit. Apply to the firearms office in your canton of residence; the authority assesses your eligibility and required documents.
Examples and application at fedpol ↗Acquisition is generally prohibited and is only possible under statutory conditions with a cantonal exceptional permit. The type of permit and proof required depend on the item and intended purpose. Clarify your case with the cantonal firearms office first.
Information on prohibited firearms at fedpol ↗03 / YOUR NEXT STEPS
Use our permit finder to classify the firearm. Open finder ↓
Your cantonal office explains the applicable process. Find weapons office ↓
Submit the contract or application as directed by the authority.
CLASSIFY YOUR FIREARM
Start with just the manufacturer and model where possible, for example “SIG 550”. Configuration details are requested in the following questions. Select the actual construction and answer the targeted questions. The finder explains ordinary private acquisition in Switzerland. Personal requirements and special cases can be checked separately. Carrying and import/export are not covered.
YOUR CONTACT
All 26 cantons plus the offices in Zurich and Winterthur. In the canton of Zurich, acquisition permits are handled by your municipality of residence.
Postfach, 5001 Aarau
062 835 82 43siwas@kapo.ag.chOfficial website ↗Unteres Ziel 20, 9050 Appenzell
071 788 95 00waffen@kapo.ai.chOfficial website ↗Schützenstrasse 1, 9100 Herisau
071 343 66 66sipo-support@ar.chOfficial website ↗Postfach, 3001 Bern
031 638 60 60waffen-admin@police.be.chOfficial website ↗Rheinstrasse 25, 4410 Liestal
061 553 31 55pol.waffen@bl.chOfficial website ↗Unterer Rheinweg 24, 4058 Basel
061 201 74 30kapo.fachstellewaffen@jsd.bs.chOfficial website ↗Postfach, 1701 Freiburg
026 305 16 36apex@fr.chOfficial website ↗Rue des Gares 16, Case postale 2254, 1211 Genève 2
022 427 79 60baspe@police.ge.chbaspe-armuriers@police.ge.chOfficial website ↗Spielhof 12, 8750 Glarus
055 645 66 66waffen-sprengmittel@gl.chOfficial website ↗Ringstrasse 2, 7001 Chur
081 257 71 11waffen@kapo.gr.chOfficial website ↗Prés Roses 1, 2800 Delémont
032 420 67 77poc.aaes@jura.chOfficial website ↗Hirschengraben 17a, 6003 Luzern
041 248 82 77waffen.polizei@lu.chOfficial website ↗Rue des Poudrières 14, 2002 Neuchâtel
032 889 91 91pn.armes@ne.chOfficial website ↗Kreuzstrasse 1, 6371 Stans
041 618 44 66waffen.polizei@nw.chOfficial website ↗Enetriederstrasse 1, 6060 Sarnen
041 666 65 76waffen@ow.chOfficial website ↗Klosterhof 12, 9001 St. Gallen
058 229 10 40siwas@kapo.sg.chOfficial website ↗Beckenstube 1, 8201 Schaffhausen
052 632 82 15waffen@shpol.chOfficial website ↗Werkhofstrasse 33, 4503 Solothurn
032 627 70 49waffen@kapo.so.chOfficial website ↗Einsiedlerstrasse 55, 8836 Bennau SZ
041 819 58 03waffen-sprengstoffe@sz.chOfficial website ↗Zürcherstrasse 325, 8500 Frauenfeld
058 345 22 82waffenfachstelle@kapo.tg.chOfficial website ↗Casella postale 2170, 6501 Bellinzona
091 814 50 51servizio.armi@polca.ti.chOfficial website ↗Werkhof A2/A4, Allmendstrasse 1, 6454 Flüelen UR
041 874 53 53kapo.ws@ur.chOfficial website ↗Centre Blécherette, 1014 Lausanne
021 644 80 37armes@vd.chOfficial website ↗Av. de France 69, 1950 Sion
027 606 59 20armes@police.vs.chOfficial website ↗An der Aa 4, Postfach 1360, 6301 Zug
041 595 42 00waffen.polizei@zg.chOfficial website ↗Postfach, 8010 Zürich
058 648 35 40waffen-sprengstoffe@kapo.zh.chOfficial website ↗In the canton of Zurich, acquisition permits are issued by the municipality where you live. Contact the responsible weapons office for exceptional permits and other weapons matters.
Förrlibuckstrasse 120, 8005 Zürich
044 411 64 25stp-waffenbelange@zuerich.ch044 411 71 17Official website ↗In the canton of Zurich, acquisition permits are issued by the municipality where you live. Contact the responsible weapons office for exceptional permits and other weapons matters.
Obermühlestrasse 5, 8403 Winterthur
052 267 51 52stapo.waffen@win.chOfficial website ↗In the canton of Zurich, acquisition permits are issued by the municipality where you live. Contact the responsible weapons office for exceptional permits and other weapons matters.
Contacts: fedpol directory dated 1 October 2026. Editorial review: 3 October 2026. Official directory (PDF) ↗
GOOD TO KNOW
No. The process depends on the category and your personal circumstances. Written contract and notification rules also apply to firearms subject to notification.
Apply to the competent office in your canton of residence. It will tell you which forms and supporting documents you need.
No. Acquisition and carrying are separate matters with different legal requirements.
People without a category C settlement permit may need an acquisition permit even for firearms normally subject only to notification. Further restrictions depend on nationality. Ask the cantonal firearms office to assess your case.