Pistols, revolvers, rifles or other weapons powered by compressed air or gas are thus designated:
weapons used to practice paintball or gotcha,
airsoft weapons (ball guns).
Possession & carrying of a weapon
The possession and carrying of a non-firearm is subject to a different regime depending on their firing power:
≤ 0.5 joules: these weapons are permitted and do not require authorization;
0.5 joules and ≤ 7.5 joules: these weapons do not require authorization, but can only be possessed for private purposes by adults Luftpistol.
at 7.5 joules: these weapons are subject to ministerial authorization.
Transport
They can be carried in public without authorization by adults who can establish:
that they are members of a sports shooting association, and
that they are on the most direct route between their home or usual residence and a gun shop/weapons business or the home of another adult (purchase, sale, repair, etc. of the weapon), or a shooting range or shooting competition venue.
Every other journey remains subject to authorization. Commercial/professional operations with these weapons remain reserved for gunsmiths and arms dealers.
During transport, each weapon (modern firearm, antique firearm or non-firearm) must be unloaded and packaged in such a way that nothing suggests that it is a weapon.
Authorizations for minors
A minor (<18 years old) may be authorized to practice hunting or sport shooting. However, the following conditions are provided for by law:
minimum age of 11 for non-firearms (sport shooting);
minimum age of 16 for firearms (sport shooting and hunting);
written consent of the father or mother (parental authority);
no purchasing authorization can be issued to a minor.
The minor can then practice sports shooting/hunting in the presence and under the responsibility of:
of the father or mother (parental authority), or
of an adult who has held the same type of weapons license as the minor for at least 2 years (sport shooting or hunting).