Firearms license; application for an extension

You will receive a firearms license for a maximum of 3 years. You can have the firearms license extended twice for a maximum of 3 years.

You can obtain a firearms license to carry weapons that require a permit. A distinction is made between firearms that require a permit and firearms that do not require a permit. In order to be allowed to carry unlicensed firearms, you require a small firearms license (see further information). A list of weapons for which you do not require a permit to acquire and possess can be found in Annex 2 of the Weapons Act.

It is recommended that you inform yourself in detail about the regulations of firearms law before submitting your application.

The firearms license allows you to carry a firearm outside of

• your own home,
• own business premises,
• your own pacified property (e.g. your own garden) and
• a shooting range

to carry. If you carry the weapon with you, you must have the firearms license with you and be able to identify yourself with an identity card or passport.

To obtain a firearms license, you must

• have the appropriate age and
• Your need,
• Your reliability under firearms law,
• Your personal suitability,
• Your expertise in handling weapons and ammunition,
• liability insurance covering personal injury and property damage to the amount of 1 million euros, and
• the safe storage of weapons and ammunition

prove.

Whether you (continue to) fulfill the requirements will be checked again at the time of renewal.

If you move to another town or municipality, you do not need to have your firearms license transferred.

If you handle weapons and ammunition without the required firearms license, you could face a fine or imprisonment.

• You must have a valid permit for the purchase and possession of a weapon (e.g. gun ownership card).
   
• You must have a firearms license.
   
• You must be at least 18 years old.
   
• You must prove that it is necessary for you to carry weapons in public (need).
  
  In order to be allowed to carry weapons in public, you must provide a credible reason to the competent weapons authority. As a rule, a credible reason is recognized if
  • Your life is at high risk;
  • you can credibly explain other reasons why you want to carry weapons in public.
     
• You must prove your reliability under firearms law.
  
  You may be deemed unreliable under firearms law if, among other things
  • you have been sentenced to a prison sentence of at least 1 year within the last 10 years (in the case of certain state security offences, a prison sentence or a fine of at least 90 daily rates is sufficient) or have been a member of or supported a banned organization in the last 10 years.
  • it can be assumed that you misuse weapons or ammunition or handle them improperly, do not store these items carefully or hand them over to persons who are not authorized to do so.
  • you have been in preventive police custody more than once in the last 5 years with judicial authorization because of violence.
  • you have repeatedly or grossly violated firearms legislation.
     
• You must prove your personal suitability.
  
  You may be assessed as personally unsuitable if, among other things
  • you are legally incapable.
  • you are dependent on alcohol or other intoxicating substances, mentally ill or mentally retarded.
  • you suffer from serious illnesses, such as brain injuries, or physical impairments, such as amputations or severe visual impairment.
  • it can be assumed that you do not handle weapons or ammunition carefully or properly or that you cannot store these items carefully or that there is a concrete danger that you will endanger others or yourself.
    ​​​​​​​
• You must have liability insurance that covers personal injury and property damage up to a lump sum of 1 million euros.

• Identity card or passport (copy)
• Weapons possession card and firearms license
• Proof of a need (e.g. proof that you are at risk)
• Proof of liability insurance in the amount of 1 million euros (lump sum for personal injury and property damage)

• § Section 10 (4) sentence 2 of the Weapons Act(WaffG)
• § Section 4 of the Weapons Act (WaffG)
• § Section 36 of the Weapons Act (WaffG)
• § Section 13 General Weapons Act Ordinance (AWaffV)

You must have your firearms license renewed at the relevant firearms authority. Submit the application together with the required documents.

The firearms authority will extend the firearms license if you meet the necessary requirements.

You can use the NWR identification numbers (NWR ID) to complete the application more quickly:

• Your personal NWR ID (P or F NWR ID) for your personal details
• the permit NWR ID for the firearms permit (E-NWR ID)
• the weapon or weapon part NWR ID (W or T NWR ID).

You can obtain the NWR-IDs on application to the relevant firearms authority.

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