No, owning a flamethrower in Italy is prohibited under national firearms legislation, specifically Article 1 of Law No. 110/1975, which classifies such devices as “dangerous instruments” without explicit civilian exemptions. The Ministero dell’Interno enforces this ban, with local Questure conducting inspections under the 2023 Decreto Sicurezza amendments. Violations risk fines up to €10,000 and criminal charges under Article 699 of the Penal Code.
Key Regulations for Owning a Flamethrower in Italy
- Absolute Prohibition: Flamethrowers fall under the Armi Proibite (Prohibited Weapons) category, barring civilian ownership without special permits—unavailable for such devices.
- Permit Requirements: Even if classified as “non-lethal,” use requires prior authorization from the Prefettura, subject to rigorous background checks and public safety assessments.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: The Decreto Legge 162/2023 expands Questura powers to seize unregistered flamethrowers, aligning with EU-wide crackdowns on incendiary tools post-2024 terror threat assessments.
Local Carabinieri units conduct random checks in high-risk areas (e.g., Lazio, Lombardy), targeting unlicensed possession. Tourists importing flamethrowers face confiscation at customs under EU Regulation 2019/2152. Legal alternatives include licensed pyrotechnic devices, but these require Comando dei Vigili del Fuoco approval.