Use

Use of airsoft guns

Airsoft guns may only be used under clear conditions in Switzerland. No carry permit is required for regular club and sport events (Art. 27 para. 4 lit. c WG), but use is tied to authorised, fenced-off facilities.

Important legal notice

This is not legal advice. The information on this website is for informational purposes only. For legal questions, contact your cantonal weapons office, fedpol, or the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG). Laws and ordinances may change - always check the current legal texts on admin.ch.

Official sources

Translation in progress

This page was machine-translated from the German original and may contain inaccuracies. The German version and the official legal text on admin.ch always take precedence.

No carry permit required

For participation in courses, exercises and events of soft-air weapon clubs, and for transport thereto, no carry permit is required (Art. 27 para. 4 lit. c WG in conjunction with Art. 28 para. 1 lit. a WG).

Club events and authorised events

This applies to events organised by an organiser - typically a club, federation or commercial operator with site usage rights.

Where may you play?

•On authorised, fenced-off grounds with site usage rights of the organiser.
•On private property only with the express permission of the owner and adequate sealing-off against third parties.
•In dedicated indoor venues (CQB halls).

Where it is clearly forbidden

Never in public or semi-public space

Playing, practising or even "walking around with a replica" in the woods, in your own garden facing outwards, on the balcony, on streets, in parks or other publicly accessible places is forbidden and can have criminal consequences.

Shooting out of a window or from a balcony towards street or neighbourhood can in particular fulfil the offence of "endangerment of life by frightening" (Art. 258 StGB), because the replicas can be mistaken for real firearms.

Risk: police operation

Any call of "person with a weapon" can trigger a police operation. Officers cannot, within fractions of a second, distinguish between a real and an imitation weapon - the consequences can be fatal.

FPS / joule limits

The Swiss Weapons Act does not set muzzle-energy limits for airsoft guns. The FPS limits common in the scene are set by organisers and federations (e.g. ASVD / SASF) and are private club / organiser rules.

Common on Swiss fields (for orientation)

Typical maximum values: AEG ~350 FPS (~1.1 J) with 0.20 g BBs, DMR ~450 FPS, Sniper ~500 FPS with engagement distances. The organiser's rules are always binding.

Rules and fairness

The most important rule in any airsoft game is "hit calling" and fairness. The sport thrives on player self-responsibility. Also observe:

•Wear protective glasses to ANSI Z87.1 or equivalent - at all times, also during breaks.
•A face mask or dental protection is strongly recommended (tooth damage from BB hits is real).
•Observe safety distances (typically 5 m minimum, more depending on energy class).
•Follow organiser rules on grenades, pyrotechnics, rates of fire and night games.