Dear Mehul,

No surprise for me. The 303 Enfield belongs to the first weapon category, war stuff. Use, detention, purchase or selling are strictly forbiden as long as one has no authorisation. To obtain the authorisation one has to do a lot of paperwork. First you have to be a member of a shooting club during one or two years. Then the police or gendarmerie will conduct an investigation into your private life and general comportment.The authorisation is not granted and might come 6 to 12 months later(if you are a really good boy).
What makes me laugh "how many 303 are lying around in french attics and cellars". My late father has a 303 in the attic and it' s still in the family (I don't want to divulgue who has it).
Yes the law is stupid, in France and in the EC. One can have any 375, ,338, 300 magnums etc.... any rifles more potent than most of the military rifles.
Lucky, in every attic one can find a Mauser or an Enfield or a M1 or a Garrand or a Lebel or a Mas36