Official figures show that the number of firearm permits granted to individuals in Switzerland increased in 2024. What has triggered this trend?
As reported by 20 Minuten, some cantons have given out more permits to purchase a firearm in 2024 than in previous years.
For instance, based on police statistics from selected German-speaking cantons, Lucerne recorded the biggest increase in gun permits — 43 percent more were issued than in the previous year. (However, in this canton’s case, 280 of the 2,680 permits were issued to police officers who wanted to keep their old service weapons).
Figures for other cantons reflect only the permits granted to private individuals:
- Appenzell Ausserrhoden: 304 new permits; a 35.7-percent increase over 2023
- Appenzell Innerrhoden: 167 permits; 12.8 percent more
- Solothurn: 1,122; an increase of 11.5 percent
- Basel-City: 670; up 7.7 percent
- Basel-Country: 1,953; an increase of 5.7 percent
- Glarus: 182 new permits; 4 percent more than previously
- Thurgau: 734; a 5.6.percent hike
- Uri: 111 more permits; 2.8 percent more
(These are the only statistics cited by 20 Minuten; numbers for other cantons were not included. Also, in certain cantons, like Zug and Solothurn, the number of gun permits dropped — though it is not known whether fewer applications were submitted or more people were denied).
Why are more people purchasing firearms?
There is no official data on that, but geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe appears to be one of the main reasons.
According to spokesperson for the Cantonal Police in Appenzell Ausserrhoden, where a 35.7 percent increase in permits was recorded, the upward trend “could be related to the general sense of insecurity.”
The St. Gallen Cantonal Police cites a similar phenomenon.
“We are assuming that the war in Ukraine influences the decision to purchase weapons,” spokesperson Florian Schneider said.
But there are also more peaceful pursuits behind the tend — namely, the Swiss passion for target shooting.
“We attribute an increase in gun sales to shooting sports,” said Alexander Ambauen, owner of a gun shop in Beckenried, canton Nidwalden.
He believes this is primarily due to the relaxation of the rules of the Swiss Shooting Sports Federation.
Previously, only army service weapons were permitted for sport shooting, but now any brand and type of pistol is allowed, as long as it fits into a test box and is a 9-mm caliber.
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What do you need a gun permit for?
To purchase a pistol, a self-loading rifle or a shotgun, a pump-action weapon, or a revolver, you need to obtain a gun permit. An application must be submitted to the firearms office in the canton where you live.
if you are a Swiss citizen (which includes dual nationals), you are generally permitted to own a weapon if:
- You are at least 18 years old
- There is no reason to believe you may use the weapon to harm yourself or others
- You have no criminal record indicating you have a violent disposition or pose a danger to public safety or for repeated felonies or misdemeanours.
All the rules are outlined here.
Also, owning some ‘weapons,’ such as an airsoft gun, blank-firing pistol, paintball gun, or a hand-held repeating rifle for hunting requires a written contract.
Prohibited weapons include semi-automatic rifles, serial firearms, stun guns, butterfly knives, and daggers with symmetrical blades. Exceptions may be granted for these types of weapons, for example, for sport shooters or collectors.
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What if you are a foreign resident?
Generally speaking, if you have a C permit, your rights to own and use a firearm are the same as for the Swiss.
On the other hand, “foreign nationals who do not possess a long-term residence permit require a weapons acquisition permit for all types of weapons and their essential components,” according to the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol).
“They must also have an official certificate from their canton of residence or country of origin confirming that they are authorised to acquire the weapon or main components.”
However, citizens of Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia,Serbia, Sri Lanka, and Turkey are not allowed to buy guns or any weapon components at all — unless they have a C permit.
