Near Gare de l'Est is a weapon store. It has "Securite" uniforms and CO2 Replica handguns and shoulder weapons. It has crossbows and maybe nunchakus. Maybe

But it also has several styles of brass knuckles, switchblades in all sizes from what look like about 5 inches open to what has to be more than a foot. And on one wall are what appear to be a well-preserved SMLE rifle, an AK47 machine pistol (no stock) and a newer AK47 with a folding stock.

All these are wildly illegal in the US without going to a whole lot of trouble, and the UK is tighter still, especially edged weapons in Scotland.

What is their legal status in France? I know France is a great nation for hunters, but what can you hunt with a Kalashnikov?

Thank you for your help.

It has always worried me, the good news is it is illegal to hunt when it snows

What leads you to believe that the Kalashnikov is fully operational?

You need a permit to own a semi-automatic weapon in France.

It is quite simple to buy deactivated/demilled/otherwise inert automatic weapons in Europe.

You can buy deactivated AK-47 in Germany for 135-150 Euro each.

The sale of weapons is strictly regulated in France. Here is what the law says (but it is in French) : http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/p...ers/N287.xhtml

That weapons store has fascinated me for decades, but I only see it from the bus. It certainly seems to sell a lot of things that I would not consider legal.

Of course the real stuff is sold in tenement basements out in the suburbs.

We walked passed that store and I was thinking the same thing. Very weird. I was thinking most were fake.

I don't know but I would imagine that these weapons have been deactivated.

As for knives - one can buy huge ones in stores carrying cutlery. Not sure of the status of switchblades versus regular knives (obviously one does not have to have a license to own chef's knives).

I know that there are also certain items that can be sold legally in France but only if they are taken out of the country immediately. Spy and radar equipment fall into this category.

When I was at university (long, long ago) the US actually banned deactivated war trophies (DEWATS as they were called.

It never occurred to me that what we think of as more rational countries wouldn't have done likewise. There were other firearms, notably a Schmeisser machine pistol that I thought might be a resin copy like they use in the movies, but the Kalashnikovs look real. Okay! Deactivated.

Of course in Virginia, I can legally buy Uzi's and H&K semi-auto weapons. They too wind up in back alleys and shady parking lots.

Thanks for the great answers. I don't think I will put any of that stuff in my checked baggage!

Yes, take it as carry-on!