This is a list of laws concerning air guns by country.
Most countries have laws about air guns, but these vary widely. Often each jurisdiction has its own unique definition of an air gun; and regulations may vary for weapons of different bore, muzzle energy or velocity, or material of ammunition, with guns designed to fire metal pellets often more tightly controlled than airsoft weapons. There may be minimum ages for possession, and sales of both air guns and ammunition may be restricted. Some areas in the world require permits and background checks similar to those required for firearms proper.
Australia The Australian gun law is quite restrictive and differs on a state-by-state basis; however, as a general rule all air guns — regardless of action type, caliber and muzzle energy — are considered firearms for legal purposes; e.g. air rifles are considered Class A firearms and as such are subject to licensing and registration.
Air pistols are considered same as rimfire and centerfire handguns and subjected to Class H firearms restrictions. An air pistol shooter will require membership and sufficient attendance at an authorized pistol club for six months before allowing ownership, and needs to shoot in at least six events per year — and four events per year for each additional handgun class (air pistol, rimfire or centerfire) — the minimum events per year must include at least six formal competitions to keep the licence.
Paintball markers are classified as "soft air weapons" and treated differently to other air guns; refer to the paintball section on legality for a state-by-state breakdown. Paintball markers are classified in NSW as "recreational sporting devices" as of the 1st of July 2019.
Though also regarded as "soft air weapons", airsoft guns are strictly prohibited in all states except in the Northern Territory (where they are considered regular air guns and subjected to the corresponding laws and licensing) and the ACT (where they are considered "imitation firearms").
Brazil The Brazilian legislation that regulates the manufacture, import, export, trade, traffic and use of air guns used to divide them into two groups: air guns by spring action or pre-compressed air (PCP - Pre Charged Pneumatic) of up to 6mm calibre; air guns by spring action or pre-compressed air (PCP - Pre Charged Pneumatic) of calibre exceeding 6mm; or pre-compressed gases that is not breathable air, such as and others, in any calibre. Until 2010, air guns in the first group may be purchased by anyone over 18. Air guns in the second group could only be purchased by people registered in the army, transportation depended on authorization, and usage was allowed only in places approved by the army. Air guns of any kind may not be carried openly. There was no muzzle energy limit for any type or calibre until 2010.
Until 2010, scopes or any equipment with magnification needed to be registered by the army in the shooter's registry and accompany a traffic authorization, and were allowed to civilians only if under 6 times magnification and with the objective lens smaller than 36 millimeters. Scopes with magnification equal or above 6 times and/or over 35 millimeters, or equipment that mark the target (like laser sights), were restricted to civilians and allowed only for use by the army. The permitted equipment has to be registered in the civilian's document, this process is called "Apostilamento". The document for a shooter's registry is called "Certificado de Registro de Atirador".
Since 2010, there isn't any restriction on caliber for air guns. It is now legal to own any kind of airgun, be It a springer, a PCP or any other kind of air gun, as long as the muzzle energy isn't bigger than 500 Joules.
Also, the restriction for optic devices for air guns were removed and is now required only in some cases, for military-grade equipment. Since February 1, 2023, firearm ownership is now facing new restrictions, but there isn't any new restriction for air gun ownership – they can be used by anyone, and they can be owned by anyone over 18 years old. Since 2010, air guns can also be used anywhere that is safe and the owner/tenant gave his permission. For example, the owner or tenant can shoot his air gun at his backyard, as long as he isn't committing a crime (if he is shooting late at night, he may be committing a crime if he is generating much noise). It's still illegal to open carry an air gun, and even when someone carry his air gun in a concealed way of inside the case, he must prove his ownership of the air gun, likely with a copy of the receipt. All this information can be seen at the Brazilian's army website. As of 2024, the restrictions on caliber returned, albeit in a more mild aspect. Airguns over 6mm caliber or boasting more than 500 joules of muzzle energy must be registered as firearms by a licensed sport shooter. Launchers or weapons that are adequate to launch paintball balls are not subjected to the caliber restriction and do not need to be registered, even if they can also launch other projectiles. Scopes, red dots and laser sights remain unregulated as long as they aren't military grade, but both airguns and optic devices need to be accompanied by proof of legal ownership (the sale slip/receipt) during use. The use of any gas/propellant, such as CO2, springs or helium, isn't relevant any longer, as long as the regulations are met. Permitted uses of airguns include sports shooting, plinking at safe areas, training and authorized hunting of exotic fauna, as long as the other legal requirements for the hunt are also met.
Belgium Air guns can be freely bought and owned by any person older than 18 years old. Only pistols with muzzle energy exceeding are not allowed. There is no maximum muzzle energy limit for rifles. Open carry of air guns is not allowed. The use of air guns is restricted non-public places, being shooting ranges, inside a house or a backyard that is not easily accessible from the street.
Bulgaria In Bulgaria anyone over the age of 18 can obtain an air gun if its muzzle energy is below that of 24 Joules. If is over 24 Joules the air gun subject to notification regime in the Police. Cannot be bought online, but some gun shops deliver them with their own supplier legally. Prohibit use and carry of minimum 200 meters from the nearest inhabited building or town/village.
Canada Air guns with both a muzzle velocity greater than 152.4 meters per second (500 feet per second) and a muzzle energy greater than 5.7 joules (4.2 foot-pounds) are firearms for purposes of both the Firearms Act and the Criminal Code. Usually the manufacturer's specifications are used to determine the design muzzle velocity and energy. Air rifles that meet these velocity and energy criteria are generally classified as non-restricted firearms; however, some are classified as restricted or prohibited, depending on the exact design of the air rifle. Air pistols are classified as restricted if their barrel is longer than 105 mm or prohibited if their barrel length is 105 mm or less. The lawful possession of these air guns requires that the owner have a valid firearms licence and that the air gun be registered as a firearm.
Air guns that meet the Criminal Code definition of a firearm, but that are deemed not to be firearms for certain purposes of the Firearms Act and Criminal Code are those that have a muzzle velocity of less than 152.4 meters per second (500 feet per second) and/or a maximum muzzle energy of 5.7 joules (4.2 foot pounds). Such air guns are exempt from licensing, registration, and other requirements under the Firearms Act, and from penalties set out in the Criminal Code for possessing a firearm without a valid licence or registration certificate. However, they are considered to be firearms under the Criminal Code if they are used to commit a crime. Low velocity replica air guns (under 366 feet per second) that are designed to resemble with near precision a firearm are considered a prohibited device and not permitted for ownership or purchase. Under Bill C-21, mid-velocity (366–500 feet per second) air guns (such as airsoft and some paintball guns) that are designed to resemble with near precision a firearm would have also became prohibited. However, it was quietly removed from the bill and despite the bill passing, air gun laws remained unchanged. The simple possession, acquisition and use of these air guns for lawful purposes is also regulated by provincial and municipal laws and by-laws. For example, some provinces may have set a minimum age for acquiring such an air gun. These air guns are exempt from the specific safe storage, transportation and handling requirements set out in the regulations supporting the Firearms Act. However, the Criminal Code requires that reasonable precautions be taken to use, carry, handle, store, transport, and ship them in a safe and secure manner.Air Guns – Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Rcmp-grc.gc.ca (2004-11-23). Retrieved on 2012-05-26.
Carrying one of these firearms is permitted for those aged 13 or older.
Suppressors for all firearms, including air guns, are prohibited in Canada.
Chile Air guns in Chile are unregulated and can be acquired by anyone. Hunting with air guns is allowed, but only small game such as rabbits, hares and birds, and a permit obtained from Chile's Agriculture and Livestock service is necessary.
Czech Republic Air guns in the Czech Republic are governed by rules set by the Firearms Act. They are divided into three categories:
Air guns with caliber larger than 6,35mm, which are considered C-I category weapon. They are subject to registration and may be possessed only by 18YO and older residents with clean criminal history. Air guns with caliber 6,35mm or smaller, which are considered D category weapon, which may be possessed by any person older than 18 years. A person older than 15 years may hold a D category weapon subject to their legal guardian's consent. Paintball guns, which are considered D category notwithstanding their caliber.
The shooting of an air weapon is prohibited in a place where the shooting could endanger the life or health of a person or cause damage to property, unless a safe area is designated for shooting in such a place, the supervision of a responsible person is ensured, or such a place is visibly marked as a place where shooting takes place and where shooting is allowed only with appropriate protective equipment.
Denmark Anyone over 18 can freely buy and possess an air gun with a caliber not exceeding 4.5 mm (0.177) and there is no restriction on muzzle energy or velocity, however bigger caliber air guns require a FAC or a hunting license. An expired hunting license is valid for bigger caliber air guns, as long as the license holder legally would be able to renew it. An air gun with a caliber over 4.5 mm (0.177) must be kept in a locked, approved gun cabinet. Air guns with the caliber of minimum 5.5 mm (0.22) are legal for hunt
Finland The acquisition and ownership of air guns is unrestricted unless they meet the definition of an effective air gun as defined in the 2015 amendment to the Firearms Act of 1998. Any air gun that has a barrel diameter exceeding 6.35 millimeters or .25 inches, shoots metal projectiles, and was not manufactured before 1950 is considered an effective air gun. Some provisions of the Firearms Act apply to effective air guns in addition to firearms, including the requirement to obtain a separate licence for each such gun.
The possession of air guns in a public place without a valid reason is prohibited under the Public Order Act, as is shooting in a manner that disturbs public order or endangers public security. Additionally, to permanently hand over air guns to a person under the age of 18 without the permission of their guardian is prohibited.