Weapons Law

Who is allowed to handle weapons and ammunition? That question is crucial for public security and order. To answer it, Germany has a complex set of regulations to govern the private and commercial acquisition and possession of weapons. Law on weapons also fights the illegal possession of weapons and trafficking in arms. Weapons law is thus a powerful instrument for increasing security within Germany. The main elements of weapons law are the Weapons Act (Waffengesetz) and the Proof Testing Act (Beschussgesetz): the Weapons Act deals with all issues related to the handling of weapons, while the Proof Testing Act governs product safety.

The regulations are constantly reviewed and amended as needed.

Legislation to improve domestic security and the asylum system (Gesetz zur Verbesserung der inneren Sicherheit und des Asylsystems) entered into force on 31 October 2024, following the terrorist attack in Solingen on 23 August 2024. The new law makes it possible to ban the carrying of knives, for example in areas such as train stations or at public events, and it prohibits flick knives in all but a few cases.

The new law adds to the authorities which are to be consulted in the context of reliability and personal aptitude checks for handling weapons. In order to prevent serious threats, the new law also allows the weapons authorities to confiscate weapons and ammunition temporarily while proceedings to withdraw and revoke weapons licences are still under way.

Another important element in regulating the handling of weapons is the National Firearms Register, introduced in 2013, where all the important information on weapons and their owners is centrally recorded and stored. Under the third Act to Amend the Weapons Act (Waffenrechtsänderungsgesetz), the register was expanded to include additional information, providing a fuller picture: for example, in addition to providing information on the legal private possession of firearms requiring a licence, the register makes it possible to track the entire life cycle of a weapon by including information on manufacturers and dealers. The Act on the National Firearms Register (Waffenregistergesetz, WaffRG), which is Article 3 of the third Act to Amend the Weapons Act, entered into force on 1 September 2020, replacing the National Firearms Register Act of 25 June 2012.