Switzerland. 1997 ‘Carrying of Arms.’ Federal Law on Arms, Arms Accessories and Ammunitions of 20 June 1997 (Status as on 12 December 2008); Chapter 6. Geneva: Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confederation / Translation for the Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. 20 June

Relevant contents

Art. 27 Carrying of arms

1 Any person who carries an arm in a place accessible to the general public or who transports an arm must hold a licence to carry arms. The holder of this licence must keep it on him and present it upon request to the police or customs authorities. Art. 28, para. 1 is reserved.

2 A licence to carry arms is issued to any person who fulfills the following conditions:
a. no objection can be raised against the person for any of the reasons as referred to in art. 8, para. 2;
b. the person plausibly establishes that he needs an arm to protect himself or third parties or objects against a tangible danger;
c. the person has passed an examination attesting to the fact that he is capable of handling an arm and knows the legal provisions regarding the use of arms; the Federal Police and Justice Department lays down examination regulations.

3 The licence to carry arms is issued by the competent authority of the Canton of ordinary residence for a given type of arm for a maximum period of five years. It is valid throughout Switzerland and fees may be payable. The persons ordinarily resident abroad must obtain it from the competent authority of the Canton by which they intend entering Switzerland.

4 The following persons do not need a licence to carry arms:
a. holders of a licence for hunting, game wardens and wild-life wardens for the arms that they carry in the exercise of their activity;
b. persons who participate in events in which arms are carried in reference to historical events;
c. persons who participate in shooting events that take place on a secure area and during which soft air firearms are used, for the carrying of the said arms;
d. foreign security agents who exercise their functions at Swiss airports, on condition that the foreign authority responsible for air security has a general authorization as this is defined under art. 27a.

5 The Federal Council regulates the conditions of granting the licence to carry arms, in particular those that apply to the foreign members of staff of diplomatic and consular representations, permanent missions to international organizations and special missions.

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