Gun licences for sport shooting
What it takes to get and keep a gun licence for sport shooting, country by country. Each guide is written from the country’s own laws and regulations, with the date it was last checked against them.
Australia
A handgun licence for target shooting in Australia needs an approved club, about six months before a first handgun, and a minimum of club matches every year, set by each state and territory.Belgium
To shoot firearms, a Belgian sport shooter needs a Community sport-shooter licence, kept with 12 sessions a year, and a governor’s permit for one subject to authorisation outside the sport-gun list.Brazil
A sport shooter in Brazil needs a CAC registration from the Polícia Federal and eight club trainings or competitions a year with each type of gun; owning firearms starts at 25.Canada
A Canadian sport shooter needs a PAL after the safety course, restricted privileges after a second course, and an ATT to an approved range; since 21 October 2022 handguns are frozen, with exemptions.Denmark
A pistol in Denmark needs age 20 and two years as an active shooting member of a club, confirmed by the chairman; the police’s consent to the club’s endorsement lasts five years.France
A catégorie B sport gun in France needs an FFTir licence, three controlled sessions for the FFTir’s avis préalable, and a five-year authorisation from the préfet.Germany
A German sport shooter needs a Waffenbesitzkarte and a Bedürfnis certified by a recognised association after 12 months of regular club shooting, and the need is checked again every five years.Italy
Italy sets no activity requirement for sport shooters: the five-year sport licence needs a medical certificate and proof of handling skill, and you may hold three common and twelve sport guns.Netherlands
A Dutch verlof for sport shooting needs a year in a certified club and 18 shooting sessions in 12 months; it lasts a year and is extended on the same 18.New Zealand
A New Zealand firearms licence needs vetting and inspected storage; pistols also need a pistol target shooting endorsement and at least 10 club shooting days a year.Norway
A pistol licence in Norway needs six months in an approved shooting organisation, its safety course and 10 organised trainings or competitions in the six months before each application.Sweden
A new handgun licence in Sweden needs six months’ club activity averaging twice a month and a skill badge; since 1 June 2026, new licences are not time-limited.Switzerland
Acquiring most guns needs a Waffenerwerbsschein or a contract; a centre-fire semi-automatic with a large magazine needs an Ausnahmebewilligung, kept with proof of shooting after 5 and 10 years.Türkiye
A sport firearm in Türkiye is held on a five-year bulundurma ruhsatı (possession licence) from age 21; at ranges, matches and training it may be used only with a valid amateur athlete’s licence.United Kingdom
In Great Britain a target rifle needs a firearm certificate and approved-club membership, and pistols under 30 cm barrel or 60 cm overall are banned; Northern Ireland still licenses target pistols.United States
The United States has no federal gun licence: a dealer runs a NICS check on every sale, and 14 states and the District of Columbia add a licence, permit or certificate of their own.