Shooting air rifles in France?

nme

nme

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This is rather a random request, so I hope I’ve put it in the right room. In short, we’re considering moving to France. It occurred to me if I bought at least a couple of acres I could set up an air rifle range on one and archery range on the other. Does anyone know of someone or have any contacts over in France that I could speak to about how complicated it may or may not be to do so?
I know there’s a French guy called Patrick that goes to Pete’s farm but I’ve not seen him for a while and I don’t know if he’s on this forum? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.
 
My impression in France is that everything is controlled by the local Mayor so if their happy it's ok, if they are not then no. Also I do know settling up a business is not quite so straightforward as in you estimate your income and pay tax on that for 2-3 years, wether you earn it or even close the business part way through. Worth checking.
 
You're bound to go through some form of red tape and officialdom if you're thinking of setting up a business.

If it's for private use, as long as you're within legal limits (under 20 J) and make sure no shots can go beyond the boundaries of your property, you should be okay. Make sure it is properly fenced off as well.

In a built-up area, I'd be weary though, and keeping quiet and out of sight, especially with the gun part, is the easier way.
 
Air rifles are not really a big thing here with adults, probably because powder burners are relatively easy to buy. Archery is big, and I know of one archery club that also has a few air rifles for the kids to play with.
I know a British guy that wanted to start a business shooting days with air rifles. I think a few holidaying brits went once. In the end the papresse was too much and it went nowhere.

Where in France are you thinking of?

A guide to gun laws are here:
A TbT guide to leisure and target shooting in France. What can I use, and where?
 
BmBusa said:
My impression in France is that everything is controlled by the local Mayor so if their happy it's ok, if they are not then no. Also I do know settling up a business is not quite so straightforward as in you estimate your income and pay tax on that for 2-3 years, wether you earn it or even close the business part way through. Worth checking.
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Not exactly “controlled”, but the Mayor will know what can and can’t be done depending on what land you have and where.

Forget opening a public range and/or running it as a business unless you speak reasonable French and have a couple of spare years to get all the permits and your RO qualifications sorted.
 
JacquesC said:
You're bound to go through some form of red tape and officialdom if you're thinking of setting up a business.

If it's for private use, as long as you're within legal limits (under 20 J) and make sure no shots can go beyond the boundaries of your property, you should be okay. Make sure it is properly fenced off as well.

In a built-up area, I'd be weary though, and keeping quiet and out of sight, especially with the gun part, is the easier way.
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I’d add that keeping things as quiet as possible if you have neighbours within a couple of hundred metres and remember not to spoil the peace and quiet on a Sunday.
 
Tinbum said:
Air rifles are not really a big thing here with adults, probably because powder burners are relatively easy to buy. Archery is big, and I know of one archery club that also has a few air rifles for the kids to play with.
I know a British guy that wanted to start a business shooting days with air rifles. I think a few holidaying brits went once. In the end the papresse was too much and it went nowhere.

Where in France are you thinking of?

A guide to gun laws are here:
A TbT guide to leisure and target shooting in France. What can I use, and where?
Click to expand...
Can you take an air rifle across to france on the ferry? A pair of brits im visiting have a koi poo issue and have asked me to help. I don’t want to have to use their rusty gamo again 😂
 
Sub_zer0 said:
Can you take an air rifle across to france on the ferry? A pair of brits im visiting have a koi poo issue and have asked me to help. I don’t want to have to use their rusty gamo again 😂
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Yes, just let them know in advance. With Brittany ferries you get a nifty red sticker to pit in your windscreen, and they park you under the video camera. That means you are first off on arrival.
I carry one now regardless of whether I need to😁
 
Tinbum said:
Yes, just let them know in advance. With Brittany ferries you get a nifty red sticker to pit in your windscreen, and they park you under the video camera. That means you are first off on arrival.
I carry one now regardless of whether I need to😁
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That’s absolutely brilliant, I’ll see if DFDS offer the same!
 
Tinbum said:
Yes, just let them know in advance. With Brittany ferries you get a nifty red sticker to pit in your windscreen, and they park you under the video camera. That means you are first off on arrival.
I carry one now regardless of whether I need to😁
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How many times have you carried one Tinbum? Have you ever been stopped and they have tested power on any? I brought my XM1 bullpup over last time and would like to take it back later this month, Its French bought so 20 Joules, but its on an FAC here, and BF/Border Force have a copy of my FAC
 
JohnnyD said:
How many times have you carried one Tinbum? Have you ever been stopped and they have tested power on any? I brought my XM1 bullpup over last time and would like to take it back later this month, Its French bought so 20 Joules, but its on an FAC here, and BF/Border Force have a copy of my FAC
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Probably 20 or 30 crossings. They make a big deal of checking serial numbers etc, but that diverts them away from all the smuggled bacon, marmite and pot noodles I’m trafficking!
 
[QUOTE="Tinbum, post: 2336626, member:
but that diverts them away from all the smuggled bacon, marmite and pot noodles I’m trafficking!
[/QUOTE]

You deserve a life sentence in jail for having anything to do with Marmite. Smuggling it ahould carry an enhanced term where you are made to eat it every day!!!!!!!
 
Hello,
Settling in France is not easy, as air rifle shooting is developed.
Disciplines like FT and HFT are not recognized by the French Shooting Federation (FFT).
There must be about thirty of us shooters training on private sites.
At the town hall level, I think that if it can bring something positive to village life, there shouldn't be any problems.
Now, to buy land or small woods for your business, you must ensure that the property is not subject to the SAFER (Société d'aménagement foncier et d'établissement rural) (Land Development and Rural Establishment Company). Otherwise, they will ask you for a lot of documents, without being sure of being able to obtain the property.
If you have any other questions, or if I can help, I would be happy to do so. But above all, don't forget that here, gunpowder weapons are more common.
 
Reviving this old topic as I know a few things about. Shooting is a pretty common sport, considerably more than in the UK with most small towns having at least a 10m air rifle range. However, the vast majority of sports clubs in france are run on a subsidised "associative" basis not necessarily as true businesses.

To give you an idea the annual range fee for most clubs (which usually includes 10m, 25m, 50m, and 200m ranges) is around 150-200 eur per year. What this means is that it's not particularly engrained in French people's mind to pay a significant amount for sports clubs. Furthermore, many have enough land to comfortably shoot air rifles at home.

A private-use range used only for air rifles should not have too high a practical or administrative burden, this article by our gun rights association runs through the basic requirements. They specifically state that private shooting ranges for category C and D weapons have no specific regulatory requiremens. The sole requirement is for the property owner to ensure the range poses no safety risks. In French shooting circles private sole-use ranges are quite common, however it is considered good practice to let the gendarmerie and mairie know what you intend to do in order to not set off any alarms

Now, what I am slightly less knowledgeable about is how this would work should you intend to make a business out of this, I am not sure whether there are any particularl insurances you may need.

Happy to chat further if you have other questions, not sure whether you intended this to be a personal use range or more of a business.
 
nme said:
This is rather a random request, so I hope I’ve put it in the right room. In short, we’re considering moving to France. It occurred to me if I bought at least a couple of acres I could set up an air rifle range on one and archery range on the other. Does anyone know of someone or have any contacts over in France that I could speak to about how complicated it may or may not be to do so?
I know there’s a French guy called Patrick that goes to Pete’s farm but I’ve not seen him for a while and I don’t know if he’s on this forum? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.
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Operating a Range / Club Activities

For Category D (<20 J) rifles:

Clubs can operate ranges on private property with no formal regulatory requirements.

Best practice: inform the local mairie or gendarmerie of your range to avoid safety concerns and misunderstandings .

As long as the range is secure, projectiles cannot leave the property, legal operation is permitted .
 
We have just sold up in the Vendee in Feb this year...there was a great air rifle club near our town where we lived...well run and often had open days... hopefully there is a club near to where you want to settle who can offer some local advice. 🇫🇷👍👍
 
A fun gathering on private land with sub 20j (16 ft lbs) away from other houses should be easy. Doubt the Marie are interested. Worth remembering most shooting is either Chasse ( hunting) or target club based. The former is all PB’s , the latter few air rifles. Easy to join , not too much regulation. Air rifles considered as toys. I would doubt much interest for a airgun only range. Market research would highlight local conditions. I joined 3 gun clubs , nice people but PB’s via a club easy to get, in spite of gun registration mandatory now plus medical checks. Certainly no hunting with airguns allowed.
Shooting is a big sport here and not perceived by the public like Ban it Britain.
 
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