Military calibres (.308) no longer prohibited in France - reference required

Bestman

Well-Known Member
I have read in several threads that the prohibition of military calibres in no longer in force. One thread specifically said it was withdrawn last September.

I have have tried, but failed, to find some official confirmation. Can anyone help?

i don't want to risk it until I can wave a piece of paper in front of the relevant official.

BASC were unable to help.
 
I believe pine marten started a thread a while ago about what calibres are now allowed in France ?
 
If you need to wave a piece of paper in front of a French official he or she will not accept a translation of it from French to English.

French Customs are very very knowledgeable on firearms and that I know from asking about bringing 8x60S cases through Gare du Nord and the Eurostar Terminal into Britain from France before the law change referenced above.

But, again from experience, if you deal with French officialdom OTHER than French Customs or French Police you will likely as not find that they are quite happy to ignore the law if it does not suit them.
 
French Customs are very very knowledgeable on firearms and that I know from asking about bringing 8x60S cases through Gare du Nord and the Eurostar Terminal into Britain from France before the law change referenced above.

I think you may have encountered Pierre at the Gare du Nord! When I checked in my rifle in Paris last time, the chaps at the checked luggage desk did mention that they needed a customs officer who was specialised in firearms, and so Pierre came along. UK customs please note: they bothered to have a specialist who knows what he's talking about around the place! Afterwards, when I went through the main security, it was also Pierre who started to search Young PM's pram, before recognising me and probably thinking that if I was OK to take a rifle along, my baby probably wasn't booby-trapped.
 
Many thanks PKL - my French is rubbish - is that the piece of paper I was after?

Here is the piece of paper you need: http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affic...teTexte=&oldAction=dernierJO&categorieLien=id

Article 2 specifies a number of calibres which are reclassified as Category C, which means they're authorised to be used for hunting. In practice, the only ones that are still banned are ones that are specifically designed as modern military rounds. To whit:

Sous-section 2 : Armes de catégorie B


Rubrique 3


Les armes soumises à autorisation pour l'acquisition et la détention, qui relèvent de la catégorie B, sont les suivantes :
1° Armes à feu de poing et armes converties en armes de poing non comprises dans les autres catégories ;
2° Armes à feu d'épaule :
a) A répétition semi-automatique, dont le projectile a un diamètre inférieur à 20 mm, d'une capacité supérieure à 3 coups ou équipées d'un système d'alimentation amovible et n'excédant pas 31 coups sans qu'intervienne un réapprovisionnement ;
b) A répétition manuelle, dont le projectile a un diamètre inférieur à 20 mm, d'une capacité supérieure à 11 coups et n'excédant pas 31 coups sans qu'intervienne un réapprovisionnement ;
c) A canon rayé dont la longueur totale minimale est inférieure ou égale à 80 centimètres ou dont la longueur du canon est inférieure ou égale à 45 centimètres ;
d) A canon lisse à répétition ou semi-automatiques dont la longueur totale minimale est inférieure ou égale à 80 centimètres ou dont la longueur du canon est inférieure ou égale à 60 cm ;
e) Ayant l'apparence d'une arme automatique de guerre ;
f) A répétition à canon lisse munies d'un dispositif de rechargement à pompe ;
3° Armes à feu fabriquées pour tirer une balle ou plusieurs projectiles non métalliques et munitions classées dans cette catégorie par arrêté conjoint des ministres de la défense, de l'intérieur et des ministres chargés des douanes et de l'industrie ;
4° Armes chambrant les calibres suivants, quel que soit leur type ou le système de fonctionnement ainsi que leurs munitions, à l'exception de celles classées dans la catégorie A :
a) Calibre 7,62 × 39 ;
b) Calibre 5,56 × 45 ;
c) Calibre 5,45 × 39 Russe ;
d) Calibre 12,7 × 99 ;
e) Calibre 14,5 × 114

And a little further research reveals that the above rounds are the ones used in the FAMAS, AK47, M16, AR15, sniper rifles and heavy machine guns. Which I daresay you won't be taking with you so you'll be fine!
 
I think you may have encountered Pierre at the Gare du Nord! When I checked in my rifle in Paris last time, the chaps at the checked luggage desk did mention that they needed a customs officer who was specialised in firearms, and so Pierre came along. UK customs please note: they bothered to have a specialist who knows what he's talking about around the place! Afterwards, when I went through the main security, it was also Pierre who started to search Young PM's pram, before recognising me and probably thinking that if I was OK to take a rifle along, my baby probably wasn't booby-trapped.

never changed a nappy to be met by explosive poo then?
 
Thanks everyone - that is great news.

Now, is .308 enough gun for driven boar...........

Yes, as long as you place your bullet well enough, but there's a good chance they'll run a bit. Also, it's maybe not ideal for that elusive 200kg monster, but then if you see that one, perhaps leave him for someone else. The French tend to favour what we consider really quite heavy rounds. 7x64 is the most popular round, but after that it's things like 9.3x62/74R, 300 Win Mag, 8x57JRS, also the .280. The popularity of the .300 Win Mag and .280 is probably in great extent due to their use in semi-auto and pump action rifles, which are very popular. I suspect they wouldn't be so popular if the .30-06 had been legal. At the moment, all the manufacturers are trying to promote rifles in .30-06 and.308 as they New Wonder Calibres!
 
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