Airgun Power Restrictions Guide
The following list is a guide to Airgun Power restrictions around the world. Regulations do change, and you must make sure you know the law in your country at the time of purchasing.
Note: fpe = Foot Pounds Energy, fps = Feet Per Second
AUSTRIA – No restrictions in fpe but limit on caliber (FAC req for .25 and above)
AUSTRALIA- FAC required for everything and anything.
BELGIUM – No restrictions on rifles
BRAZIL – No restrictions
BULGARIA – No restrictions
CANADA – 500 fps limit without a PAL
CYPRUS – .177 only all airguns require registration
CZECH REPUBLIC – 12 fpe (16 Joules)
DENMARK – No restrictions, but soon will have restrictions imposed due a change in the legislation.
ESTONIA – No limits in .177, .22 and larger cal FAC required. No hunting with air gun
FINLAND -There is no muzzle restrictions but anything over .25 calibers requires a license. No hunting with air rifles and all air rifles can be shot in your own
garden so long as it is safe .
FRANCE – 20 Joules (15 fpe). Airgun hunting is only permitted with a hunting licence
GERMANY – 6 fpe (7.5 Joules) above is licenced
GREECE – No power or Calibre restriction, Silencers and Scopes are banned by law. Hunting is not allowed.
HOLLAND – No restrictions – NO look a like’s
HONG KONG – Max power of 2 Joules without an FAC
HUNGARY – 6 fpe (7.5 Joules)
ITALY – 6 fpe (7.5 Joules) must be over 18 to buy, over 10 to shoot it with presence of a parent; >6 fpe you need a f.a.c. and you’ve to declare the purchase to the police. NO Hunting.
JAPAN – Airguns firing metallic projectiles are considered firearms and require a license for specified use
LATVIA – 12 Joules
LITHUANIA – 7.5 Joules (NO hunting allowed)
LUXEMBOURG – FAC required for everything and anything.
MALTA – FAC required for everything and anything.
NEW ZEALAND – PCPs require Firearms License
NORTHERN IRELAND & EIRE – Airguns or CO2 guns that are in excess of one (1) Joule (0.737 ft/lbf) require to be held on an FAC.
NORWAY – No restrictions
PHILIPPINES – No restrictions but all airguns must be registered at the local police office. No license required (formality)
POLAND – 12.5 fpe (17 Joules) (NO hunting allowed) >17 Joules allowed if gun is registered with police (Formality)
PORTUGAL – .177 or .22 velocity of 1181 fps Hunting not allowed
ROMANIA – FAC needed for everything
RUSSIA – 6 fpe (7.5 Joules) no licence 7.5 to 25 Joules licenced
SLOVAK REPUBLIC – 11 fpe (15 Joules)
SLOVENIA -4.5mm power limit 200m/s, for 5.5 it is 20 joule and below 200m/s and for 6.35 it is 20 joule. Hunting forbidden, silencers forbidden.
SOUTH AFRICA – Below .22 No restrictions on power. .22 and above 7.5J No hunting with airguns, but pest control allowed, no shooting in built up areas. (exceptions for Big Bore when having a hunting license – hunting on larger game)
SWITZERLAND – Over 18 to purchase. Illegal to hunt with an air rifle. No power limit.
SPAIN – 18 fpe (24.5 Joules)
SWEDEN – 7.5 fpe (10 Joules) also maximum velocity of 200m/s. The same for rifles and pistols. Semi or full auto airguns: 3 Joules
TURKEY – No restrictions
UNITED KINGDOM – 12 fpe (16 Joules) above needs a FAC
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – No restrictions (Except New Jersey, Delaware and Michigan) Also numerous restrictions when within City Limits, varies state to state