No. Open carry of firearms is prohibited in France under the Code de la sécurité intérieure (CSI), with exceptions for authorized personnel only. The Préfecture de Police and Gendarmerie Nationale enforce strict licensing, requiring proof of legitimate need, such as professional necessity (e.g., security guards with Carte Professionnelle). Recent 2026 amendments under Loi Sécurité Globale tightened controls, mandating real-time digital logging of firearm movements via the Fichier National des Armes (FNA). Unauthorized open carry risks immediate confiscation, fines up to €75,000, and criminal prosecution under Article 222-54 of the Code pénal.
Key Regulations for Open Carry in France
- Licensing Mandate: Open carry requires a Port d’Armes (carrying permit) issued by the Préfecture, valid only for specific contexts (e.g., hunting, sport shooting). Concealed carry (Port dissimulé) demands stricter Justificatif de Motif Légitime scrutiny.
- Firearm Categories: Only Category B (handguns ≤ 20 rounds) and Category C (long guns) are eligible for restricted carry. Fully automatic weapons (Category A) are banned outright.
- Real-Time Tracking: The 2026 FNA integration enforces GPS-linked firearm tracking for all permit holders, with Gendarmerie conducting quarterly audits. Non-compliance triggers automatic permit revocation.