Hunters and sport shooters have until December 31 to declare their weapons online

In France, two million people legally own a firearm.

Hunters and sport shooters have until Wednesday to declare their weapons online on the Weapons Information System (SIA), France Bleu recalls. From December 31, it becomes compulsory to have an account in the SIA, under penalty of losing the right to hold a weapon. Owners who have not declared their weapons face a fine and will no longer be able to sell them or even have them repaired.

In France, two million people legally own a firearm, including 1.1 million hunters, according to the National Federation of Hunters. In Dordogne, for example, 50,405 hunting weapons have already been declared, according to the latest count from the prefecture, reports France Bleu Périgord.

The SIA platform was launched at the beginning of 2022 to improve the traceability of firearms throughout France. The system will gradually be extended to other individual weapon owners, such as those who have inherited a collector's weapon.