Weapons Law Information

This English translation is provided for your convenience. Only the German version is legally binding.

NOTICE PURSUANT TO §35 PARA. 2 SENTENCE 2 OF THE GERMAN WEAPONS ACT (WaffG)

When transferring blank-firing, irritant or signal weapons (SRS weapons) within the meaning of § 10 para. 4 sentence 4, the holder of a permit under § 21 para. 1 must additionally point out that carrying (Führen) without a permit (minor firearms licence (Kleiner Waffenschein)) is a criminal offence, and must record the fulfilment of this obligation and of the notification obligation under sentence 1.
You have already received this notice on our website, on the relevant articles, in the processing notifications during the ordering process, and as a printed copy with the shipment.
This is recorded in our system pursuant to §35 para. 2 sentence 2 WaffG.

HANDLING OF SRS WEAPONS SINCE 01 APRIL 2003

PURCHASE AND POSSESSION OF SRS WEAPONS
The purchase and possession of blank-firing, irritant or signal weapons (SRS weapons), which correspond to the approved design under §8 of the Proof Act (Beschussgesetz) and bear a PTB approval mark, and of the associated ammunition, continues to be permit-free from the age of 18.


CARRYING (HAVING ON ONE'S PERSON) SRS WEAPONS
Only a person who wishes to exercise actual control over SRS weapons outside their own home, business premises or their own enclosed private property (carrying) requires an official permit – minor firearms licence – (§ 10 para. 4 sentence 4 in conjunction with Annex 2 Section 2 Subsection 3 No. 2 and 2.1 WaffG-new). No minor firearms licence is required for the transport of SRS weapons that are neither ready to fire nor ready to hand (e.g. transport to the gunsmith).

Under no circumstances may an SRS weapon be carried at public events (whether indoors or outdoors) without an additional exemption permit in addition to the minor firearms licence. Furthermore, together with the minor firearms licence, there is an obligation to carry identification (valid identity card or passport).

The minor firearms licence is issued on application by the locally competent weapons authority if the applicant is reliable and has the personal aptitude. Anyone who only wishes to handle SRS weapons in their own home, business premises or their own enclosed private property does not need a permit.


SHOOTING WITH SRS WEAPONS
Any shooting outside shooting ranges requires a permit. Exceptions pursuant to § 12 para. 4 WaffG-new:

1)        self-defence, necessity
2)        with signal weapons during emergency and rescue exercises
3)        with firearms from which only blank cartridges can be fired
     a)   by participants in theatrical performances and performances to be regarded as equivalent
     b)   to scare away birds on agricultural holdings
4)        on enclosed private property – with the permission of the holder of the domestic authority (Hausrecht) – with firearms from which only blank cartridges can be fired,
5)        with blank-firing or signal weapons to give start or finish signals on behalf of the organisers at sporting events, where optical or acoustic signalling is required

SHOOTING ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, TAKING THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS INTO ACCOUNT
Firing pyrotechnic ammunition on New Year's Eve from your own enclosed private property, or from another person's enclosed private property with the consent of the holder of the domestic authority, is permitted without any permit requirements under weapons law, provided it complies with the user safety requirements (i.e. shooting vertically upwards, not near easily flammable objects, etc.). You must ensure that the pyrotechnic ammunition does not leave the property! Transporting the weapon from place to place for New Year's Eve shooting does not require a permit if the weapon is transported neither ready to fire nor ready to hand, i.e. without a minor firearms licence.


TRANSPORT OF SRS WEAPONS
A weapon is transported if it is conveyed from one place to another while not ready to fire and not ready to hand, provided the transport of the weapon takes place for a purpose covered by the holder's need or in connection with such a purpose. A weapon is not ready to hand if it is carried in a locked container (e.g. a locked gun case, a firmly sealed cardboard box wrapped in strong adhesive tape).


STORAGE OF PERMIT-FREE WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION THAT MAY BE PURCHASED FROM THE AGE OF 18
Anyone who possesses weapons or ammunition must take the necessary precautions to prevent these items from being lost or from being taken by third parties without authorisation. Persons who have not yet reached the age of 18 are unauthorised or not entitled to handle “free” weapons and ammunition. Storage in a locked container is sufficient.

HANDLING OF IMITATION FIREARMS (ANSCHEINSWAFFEN), STRIKING AND STABBING WEAPONS

BAN ON CARRYING § 42 A WAFFG
The following items fall under the ban on carrying (carrying in public):

1.      Imitation firearms (replicas of firearms with the appearance of real firearms. This also includes softair weapons with an energy of < 0.5 joules and firearms that have been rendered unusable.
2.      Striking and stabbing weapons (items which by their nature are intended to inflict injuries through direct use of muscular strength by striking, thrusting, stabbing, hitting or throwing), including knives with a blade that can be locked with one hand (one-handed knives) or fixed-blade knives with a blade length of more than 12 cm.

The following exceptions apply:
1.      for use in photo, film or television recordings or theatrical performances
2.      for transport in a locked container
3.      for carrying the items under paragraphs 1 and 2 where there is a legitimate interest (examples: maintaining traditional customs, practising a profession, sports such as hunting, fishing etc., or a generally recognised purpose such as picnics, scouting, mushroom picking etc.).

Note: As a rule, disregarding the ban on carrying constitutes an administrative offence, which can be punished with a fine of up to €10,000. (As at: 31.01.2022)

New since 31 October 2024: additional bans on knives and weapons

Since 31.10.2024, additional prohibitions apply (extract, without claim to completeness):

• Public events (§ 42 WaffG): At fairs and festivals (Volksfeste), sporting events, trade fairs, exhibitions, markets (including Christmas markets) and similar public events, in addition to weapons, knives of any kind may generally no longer be carried – regardless of blade length. Exceptions apply, among others, to transport not ready to hand, traders in the course of their business, restaurants and their guests, and to customs and traditions, hunting and sport.
• Long-distance public transport (§ 42b WaffG): Carrying weapons and knives is generally prohibited in long-distance means of transport and in the associated stations and stops.
• Weapon and knife ban zones: The federal states may designate further ban zones, e.g. at railway stations, in local public transport or in city centres. Please check the local rules.
• Switchblade knives (Springmesser): Since 31.10.2024, switchblade knives are generally prohibited. Handling and possession are only permitted where there is a legitimate interest in one-handed use or in connection with the exercise of a profession.

Infringements may be punished as an administrative offence with a fine of up to €10,000; handling prohibited items may lead to criminal consequences. The current version of the law is authoritative (link below).

TRANSPORT OF IMITATION FIREARMS, STRIKING AND STABBING WEAPONS
Imitation firearms or striking and stabbing weapons are transported if they are conveyed from one place to another while not ready to hand, provided the transport of the weapon takes place for a purpose covered by the holder's need or in connection with such a purpose. Such a weapon is not ready to hand if it is carried in a locked container (e.g. a locked gun case, a firmly sealed cardboard box wrapped in strong adhesive tape).

STORAGE OF IMITATION FIREARMS AND STRIKING AND STABBING WEAPONS
Anyone who possesses imitation firearms or striking and stabbing weapons must take the necessary precautions to prevent these items from being lost or from being taken by third parties without authorisation. Persons who have not yet reached the age of 18 are unauthorised or not entitled to handle these weapons. Storage in a locked container is sufficient.

HANDLING OF SOFTAIR, COMPRESSED-AIR, SPRING-PISTON, CO2 WEAPONS

PURCHASE AND POSSESSION OF SOFTAIR, COMPRESSED-AIR, SPRING-PISTON AND CO2 WEAPONS WITH THE F MARK
The purchase and possession of softair, compressed-air, spring-piston and CO2 weapons with the F mark (kinetic energy of up to 7.5 joules) is permit-free from the age of 18. Projectiles for them may be freely purchased and possessed without any age restriction.

CARRYING SOFTAIR, COMPRESSED-AIR, SPRING-PISTON AND CO2 WEAPONS WITH THE F MARK
Carrying softair, compressed-air, spring-piston and CO2 weapons with the F mark requires a permit. A person carries a weapon only if they exercise actual control over the weapon outside their own home, business premises or their own enclosed private property. A firearms licence (Waffenschein) would be required here (a minor firearms licence is not valid for this).


SHOOTING WITH SOFTAIR, COMPRESSED-AIR, SPRING-PISTON AND CO2 WEAPONS WITH THE F MARK
Any shooting outside shooting ranges requires a permit (§ 12 para. 4 sentence 1 WaffG).
Exceptions pursuant to § 12 para. 4 no. 1 WaffG:

Shooting outside shooting ranges without a shooting permit is permitted by the holder of the domestic authority, or with their consent, on enclosed private property with firearms whose projectiles are given a kinetic energy of up to 7.5 joules (J) or whose design is approved under § 7 of the Proof Act, provided that the projectiles cannot leave the property.


TRANSPORT OF SOFTAIR, COMPRESSED-AIR, SPRING-PISTON AND CO2 WEAPONS WITH THE F MARK
A weapon is transported if it is conveyed from one place to another while not ready to fire and not ready to hand, provided the transport of the weapon takes place for a purpose covered by the holder's need or in connection with such a purpose. A weapon is not ready to hand if it is carried in a locked container (e.g. a locked gun case, a firmly sealed cardboard box wrapped in strong adhesive tape).


STORAGE OF PERMIT-FREE WEAPONS AND ASSOCIATED AMMUNITION
Anyone who possesses weapons or ammunition must take the necessary precautions to prevent these items from being lost or from being taken by third parties without authorisation. Persons who have not yet reached the age of 18 are unauthorised or not entitled to handle “free” weapons and ammunition. Storage in a locked container is sufficient.

Further information on the current German Weapons Act can be found here: WaffG