How to own a gun in Brazil and how ownership differs from carry

To get firearm ownership (home possession, "posse") in Brazil, you ask the Federal Police (Polícia Federal, PF) for a purchase authorization, buy the firearm at a store and register it in your name within 15 days. You must be 25, state your effective need, present criminal record certificates and pass the psychological assessment and the technical capability test. Ownership only allows keeping the firearm at home or at work; carrying it on the street requires a carry permit ("porte").

Warning: this text is for information only and does not replace legal advice or the Federal Police. The PF reviews each application and may deny it.

What is the difference between gun ownership and a carry permit?

Ownership means having the firearm registered and kept at home or at work. Carry means being allowed to take the firearm with you outside those places.

Article 5 of Law 10.826/2003 (the Disarmament Statute) says that registration authorizes the owner "to keep the firearm exclusively inside their residence or domicile, or an outbuilding of these, or at their workplace, provided they are the owner or the legal representative of the establishment or company".

Amounts and periods checked on October 19, 2026 on official PF pages, such as the Obter Porte de Arma de Fogo service page.

Practical examples

• Firearm in the safe at home: this is ownership. A valid CRAF is enough.
• Firearm at a store you own: this is ownership, if you are the owner or the legal representative of the business.
• Firearm in the car, on the way to work: this is carry. Without a carry permit, it may be a crime.
• Firearm at the store where you are an employee: this is not your ownership, because you are not the owner.

For the carry permit, see how to get a carry permit in Brazil in 2026.

Who can get gun ownership?

According to the official service page, updated on September 9, 2026, the citizen must:

• be at least 25 years old (article 28 of Law 10.826, which has exceptions for some categories, such as the Armed Forces and security agencies);
• state the effective need to own a firearm;
• prove good standing, with clean certificates from the Federal, State, Military and Electoral Courts, and not be under criminal investigation or prosecution;
• prove a lawful occupation and a fixed address;
• prove technical capability and psychological fitness.

Decree 11.615/2023 (Decreto 11.615/2023) adds a statement that the home has a safe or a secure place with a lock. In it, the owner also commits to preventing anyone under 18 or any legally incapable person from taking the firearm (article 15, VIII).

What is effective need for ownership?

It is the justification for the application. Paragraph 3 of article 15 of Decree 11.615 says that it "is not presumed". The application must show "the concrete facts and circumstances", such as the activities performed and the risks to life or physical safety.

Under paragraph 2 of the same article, a citizen may own up to two firearms for self-defense, with effective need proven for each purchase. Ammunition purchases are limited to 50 rounds per firearm per year.

Which documents does the PF require for ownership?

The list comes from the official "Adquirir arma de fogo" (buy a firearm) page, as of October 19, 2026:

• signed application;
• identity document and CPF (Brazilian taxpayer number);
• clean criminal record certificates (Federal, State, Military and Electoral);
• proof of lawful occupation, issued no more than 60 days earlier;
• proof of permanent residence, issued no more than 60 days earlier (if it is in someone else's name, attach that person's statement and a copy of their ID);
• psychological fitness report, from a psychologist accredited by the PF, no more than 1 year old;
• proof of technical capability in the caliber you will buy or a larger one, from an instructor accredited by the PF, no more than 1 year old;
• proof of fee payment.

To find accredited psychologists and instructors, use the professionals directory.

How much does gun ownership cost?

Only some items have amounts set by law or regulation. The table shows these amounts, checked on October 19, 2026:

The price of the firearm, the safe and an optional shooting course has no official amount and varies in the market. An accredited professional who charges more than the caps may lose PF accreditation (article 11-A, paragraph 3).

How to get gun ownership, step by step

1. Take the psychological assessment and the technical capability test with accredited professionals. The test must be in the caliber of the firearm you intend to buy, or a larger one.
2. Gather certificates and proofs, keeping in mind the 60 day limit for the proofs of occupation and residence.
3. Open the PF electronic form with a silver or gold gov.br account (the Brazilian government login) and choose the "Cidadão" (citizen) category. The PF estimates about 20 minutes to fill it in.
4. Print the application and the GRU (federal payment slip) and pay the R$ 88.00 fee.
5. Attach the documents in the system. Uploading is mandatory, and the PF office may request other documents.
6. Track the application under "consultar andamento de processo". The PF estimates 30 days on average for a decision.
7. Print the purchase authorization after approval and take it to the store. The authorization is valid for 15 days.
8. Register the firearm within 15 days of the purchase, through the "Registrar arma de fogo" service. At registration, the PF issues the transit document to take the firearm from the store to where it will be kept.

See also the purchase authorization guide.

How long is ownership valid and how do I keep the firearm regular?

The ownership CRAF is valid for 5 years, under article 24, II, of Decree 11.615. At renewal, you prove again your good standing, occupation, residence, psychological fitness and technical capability (article 5, paragraph 2, of Law 10.826).

If the registration expires, the PF sends a notice and gives 60 days to regularize. See what to do with an expired CRAF.

Keep the firearm unloaded, in a safe or a locked place, out of children's reach, as you state in the application. Read also how to store a gun at home safely.

Next step

Before paying for any assessment, write your effective need statement and check whether you have a safe or a secure locked place at home. Then start with the psychological assessment and the technical capability test.