Firearms regulation in France
To buy a firearm in France, in line with the European Firearms Directive, a hunting license or a shooting sport license is necessary depending on the type, function and magazine capacity of the weapon. History. In 1563, Charles IX of France had an address to the Rouen parliament about forbidding firearms in which he made the following statement: Firearms classification. As of September 2015, classification has been simplified to 4 categories: Individuals cannot own more than twelve B categorized firearms, cannot own more than ten magazines for a given weapon, and cannot store  more than 1000 rounds per weapon. For example, if one owned a 9mm pistol then one could store 1000 rounds of 9mm; if one owned two 9mm pistols then one could store up to 2000 rounds. Individuals can only store 4,000 rounds total in their home at any one time. Hunters can only purchase C category weapons with showing proof of possession of hunting license with the year's validation. Hunters can purchase Category D weapons at anytime whether their hunting license is valid or not. Black powder muzzle loading are allowed to be used for hunting . Ammunition Classification. Any handgun ammunition is classified as B, for example, someone who owns a lever-action carbine in C category chamber for .357 magnum needs to have a B categorized weapon to be able to buy .357 magnum ammunition. Some exceptions exist for calibers like in c-6° category. Since August 1, 2018 D2 ammunition became D. Ownership and purchase conditions. No civilian may carry any weapons in a public place. A special form allows a civilian to apply for a 1-year carry license, which allows them to carry a handgun and a maximum of 50 rounds if  they are "exposed to exceptional risks to their life". In practice, such authorizations are rare. Exceptions exist for children and teenagers with a shooting or ball-trap license and parental approval. A child aged between 9 and 12 can own D categorized weapon that shoot projectiles In a non pyrotechnic way between 2 and 20 joules. A teenager aged 12 to 16 can own C and D categorized weapons. They can also own one-shot, rimfire Category B firearms if they participate in international shooting competitions (only with a shooting licence). A shooter between the ages of 16 and 18  who has a shooting, hunting or ball-trap license can own C and D categorized weapons. They can also own Category B firearms if they participate in international shooting competitions(only with a shooting licence). Carrying a gun is defined as having a gun by one's side on a public place ready to use. Transporting a gun is defined as having an unloaded, locked or disassembled gun and having a legitimate reason (personal defence doesn't qualify) for doing so in a public place. A legitimate reason to transport a firearm is a legal document like a hunting, shooting, collector , or ball-trap licence. Hunting, collector and ball-trap licences only work for D and C categorized weapon transportation. A shooting licence works for A, B, C and D categorized weapons. Showing a firearm in public to scare people can be a charge of public disorder. Since the November 2015 Paris attacks, police officers are allowed to carry their service firearms while off duty.