Is it legal to own a Night Vision device?
A night vision device is an optoelectronic device that makes it possible to produce images even in darkness. The image may be a conversion of visible light or both visible light and near-infrared while thermal imaging is the convention detection of thermal infrared. The image produced is green which is considered the easiest to look at for a long period while in the dark. These devices are used by hunters, the military, and law enforcement. but are also available to civilian users. Whether or not it is legal to own the device depends on a particular country.
In Belgium, night vision devices that can be mounted on a firearm, even if not mounted are forbidden by firearms legislation.
In Germany, the law prohibits the devices if their purpose is to be mounted on firearms.
The ownership of night vision devices in the Netherlands is not regulated nor is it prohibited to use them mounted on firearms. The usage of night vision devices for nighttime hunting is permitted only with a special permit in certain areas for hunting wild boar.
In Iceland, the use of this equipment for hunting is forbidden, while there are no restrictions on the devices themselves.
In the Czech Republic, night vision devices are not regulated and were previously only available for hunting.
It is unlawful for civilians in India to possess and participate in the trading of night vision scopes. For one to own them, he must have permission from the Union home ministry.
In New Zealand, rescue helicopter services use a number of sets of 3-rd generation night vision goggles imported from the US, and the country is needed to limit access to the equipment to adhere to the strict regulations regarding their export. There are no prohibitions on the possession or use of night vision devices for shooting game animals that are native-like rabbits, deer, pigs, hares, goats, and wallabies.
Civilians in South Africa are only permitted to but night visions up to Gen 2. Gen 3 and above are only available to the military, law enforcement agencies, and users who own an end-user certificate.
In the USA, there are 13 states in which the equipment is forbidden, 17 states with various restrictions such as only for certain non-game species and in a particular data range, and 20 states with no restrictions.
In California, it is an offense to own a device made for or adaptable to use on a firearm which through the use of a projected infrared light source and electronic telescope allows the user to visually determine and find the presence of objects during the nighttime. This fundamentally covers scopes using Gen0 technology but not the generations that follow.
The prohibition doesn’t apply to binoculars or monoculars with Night Vision function or night vision goggles. In Minnesota, civilians are unpermitted to own night vision or thermal imaging equipment while taking wild animals or while owning a weapon that is uncased and loaded that could be used to take wild animals but there is an exception for military and law enforcement use.
See Also