Summary

The Federal Department of Justice and Police (EJPD) opened a public consultation on June 24, 2026 regarding amendments to the Weapons Ordinance (WV). The revision updates the definition of imitation weapons and essential weapon components. It also simplifies an administrative procedure for import permits for so-called "prohibited" weapons for professional purposes, enabling their sale at trade fairs and auctions in Switzerland. The consultation period ends on October 26, 2026.

Persons

  • Federal Department of Justice and Police (EJPD) (Lead)

Topics

  • Weapons Ordinance
  • Imitation weapons
  • Import rules
  • Administrative procedures
  • Legal certainty

Clarus Lead

The consultation concerns central definitions in Swiss weapons law that have previously caused legal uncertainty. The planned changes aim to create clarity while simultaneously simplifying business processes – particularly for trade fair organizers and auction houses. This signals a rebalancing between security requirements and practical feasibility in weapons trading.

Detailed Summary

The revision of the Weapons Ordinance addresses three core areas: First, the definition of imitation weapons is updated to increase legal certainty – a step intended to clarify previous demarcation problems between genuine and imitation weapons. Second, the definition of essential weapon components is adjusted to improve technical and legal consistency.

Third and central is the simplification of the administrative procedure for import permits for so-called "prohibited" weapons for professional purposes. This enables such weapons to be offered for sale at trade fairs and auctions in Switzerland – a regulation particularly relevant for organizers and professional dealers. The consultation gives interest groups and cantons until October 26, 2026 the opportunity to comment.

Key Points

  • Update of imitation weapons definition to increase legal certainty
  • Adjustment of the definition of essential weapon components
  • Simplified import permits for professional purposes at trade fairs and auctions

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence: What specific legal uncertainties in the previous imitation weapons definition led to the revision? Were case numbers or court rulings documented?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: Which interest groups – trade fair organizers, auction houses, security authorities – were consulted in the preparation, and how did their positions flow into the process?

  3. Causality: How is it ensured that simplified import procedures do not lead to increased risk of misuse? What control mechanisms remain in place?

  4. Feasibility: How will cantons be supported in implementing new definitions, and what training measures are planned?

  5. Definition Clarity: What exactly changes in the demarcation of "prohibited" weapons versus regular weapons in the context of trade fairs and auctions?

Sources

Primary Source: [Public Consultation Opening: Amendment of the Weapons Ordinance] – https://fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/dl/proj/2025/52/cons_1

Verification Status: ✓ June 24, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: June 24, 2026