Hunting ammunition on sale at tobacconists alongside cigarettes and other chewing gum? The idea may be surprising, but it is indeed on the table: tobacco shops should soon be authorized to sell ammunition to hunters. The measure was the subject of consultation this Wednesday with the hunters’ federation and the Ministry of the Interior. “This will happen without a doubt, most certainly from the first quarter of 2024,” indicates to Le Figaro the president of the national confederation of tobacconists, Philippe Coy.
Contacted, the Ministry of the Interior clarified this change to Le Figaro. From the beginning of 2024, the State will put in place “reduced certifications for activities peripheral to the gunsmith profession”, it is indicated. If, for the moment, a state gunsmith diploma or specific certification is necessary to be able to sell ammunition, the rules will change from January 1. “For the sole sale of ammunition of categories C (for hunting, mainly) and D”, an “exclusive sale of ammunition” certification can be obtained. It will be given “after passing an exam”, following “adapted and targeted two-day” training.
Once certification has been obtained, the professional who wants to sell this ammunition must then obtain the green light from the prefect, who will examine “the qualification and good repute of the trader”, and provide “an authorization to sell ammunition”. For his part, the seller must ensure that the ammunition is not directly accessible by customers, and he must verify “the buyer’s title of acquisition”, such as a hunting permit or a license for participants of the the ski federation for biathlon.
Tobacconists are very interested in this opportunity, which can both enable them to strengthen their offering and provide a service to hunters. The goal is to provide “an offering that complements that of gunsmiths, in the most remote rural areas,” believes Philippe Coy.
Tobacco shops are indeed legion in rural areas – 41% of tobacconists operate in towns with less than 3,500 inhabitants – while gunsmiths continue to concentrate in large cities, to the dismay of hunters. For the Ministry of the Interior, these professionals also benefit from secure premises. Their territorial coverage will make it possible to “limit travel for the acquisition of hunting ammunition”, and will at the same time reduce “sales by post, a source of recurring problems”, judges Gérald Darmanin’s entourage.
The fact remains that we will have to wait a little longer before seeing weapon ammunition alongside cigarette packets on the tobacconists’ counters, while professionals train, if possible “in e-learning”, the representative hopes. “There remain many points to supervise,” recognizes Philippe Coy. This will meet a real demand from tobacconists, who are keen to diversify their profession.” The margin that ammunition sellers will make is not yet known. The head of the confederation specifies in passing that many tobacconists already carry out a gunsmithing activity in the territory, particularly in rural areas.
This development, however, is not to everyone’s taste. “The government is using all means to flatter the hunting and weapons lobby,” protested the spokesperson for the Animalist Party, Muriel Fusi, on X – ex-Twitter. “The hunting lobby is really not ashamed of anything,” said the L214 association.
