The answer is: yes, permission is required. The appearance and weight of the gas gun resembles a real gun, i.e. a firearm. Firing also makes a sound like a real gun. Of course, a gas gun does not throw out a grain (projectile), that is, ammunition is the so-called “blanks”. Such pistols are gas, trigger and signal weapons. According to the Law on Weapons and Ammunition, gas, trigger and signal weapons are explicitly included under the so-called convertible weapons, and convertible weapons are then clearly classified under category B weapons that can be acquired, held and carried only on the basis of a document from the competent authority. This means that gas, trigger and signal weapons have the same legal treatment as firearms that can be acquired, held and carried by civilians, since they are in the same category.
What does it mean when a weapon is convertible?
When it is possible to make the gas gun fire at least one grain by any modification, then we say that such a weapon is convertible. Since gas pistols very often have a factory-installed obstruction in the barrel, and the barrel is made of a less resistant material, the modification would most often require replacing the barrel of the pistol. Such alterations are not at all easy to implement, but if such a thing is still possible, a criminal offense will exist. Of course, in each specific procedure, a ballistic expert must declare this.
What are the penalties threatened?
The legislator does not make a difference in the threatened punishments between real, i.e., firearms and convertible weapons. Unauthorized possession of a convertible gun is punishable by a prison sentence of six months to five years and a fine (there is a possibility of a suspended sentence), while for unauthorized carrying, if the person who carries it does not even have a permit to keep it, a prison sentence of two to twelve years is prescribed (there is a possibility of a reduced sentence and even a prison sentence at home)
Danilo Babić- lawyer in Novi Sad
