After the raid on a suspected terrorist network in the "Reichsbürger" scene, the gun law is being tightened. "Reich citizens" and other extremists are to be disarmed quickly and consistently. But which laws apply and which should be changed?
The raid on the "Reichsbürger" scene has brought gun law into the focus of attention. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wants to tighten it up, the FDP is stepping on the brakes and - refers to previous tightening. In fact, the gun law has been changed again and again like hardly any other law in the past. The gun law has essentially existed in its current form since 2003. At that time, the existing law was divided into the Weapons Act and the Bombardment Act.
gun law:
Among other things, it regulates all questions relating to the handling of weapons or ammunition, such as acquisition and possession, carrying and shooting, storage, manufacture and trade. It also regulates the conditions under which someone may own weapons. In addition, it regulates the permits and exceptions for certain cases and groups of people such as hunters and marksmen - but also the bans on certain weapons or ammunition.
If you want to own a weapon, you have to meet certain requirements. This includes, among other things, the completion of the 18th year of life, "reliability under firearms law" and personal suitability as well as proof of firearms legal expertise.
shelling law:
The Bombardment Act serves to ensure the safe use of weapons and ammunition. Firearms, firecrackers, shooting devices and ammunition as well as other weapons - for example compressed air guns or irritant sprayers.
What is the gun law requirement?
It is checked every five years to see if it is still there. Sports shooters must demonstrate the need to own their guns by means of a certificate from the shooting sports club (from 2026 the association) that they have practiced shooting sports at least once every three months or at least six times within a closed period of twelve months in each case in the last 24 months.
What is a Gun Ownership Card?
It is the acquired authorization to own firearms and ammunition. It does not entitle the holder to carry a weapon, but "to exercise actual power over the weapon registered therein". It is important that the weapon and ammunition are transported in such a way that they are considered "not ready to hand" and "not ready to fire". This also means that they are transported completely separately from each other.
What types of gun ownership cards are there?
The "green gun ownership card" is issued to hunters and sports shooters who work in a recognized association. The "yellow gun owner's card", for which procedural simplifications apply, is issued for less dangerous firearms. In the future, only a maximum of ten firearms can be registered there. For other weapons, the regular procedure for entry in a "green weapon owner's card" must be completed.
What is the reliability check like?
Information is also obtained from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as part of the regular review of the reliability of gun owners. In the case of members of an anti-constitutional association, unreliability under the law on weapons can regularly be assumed - even if this is not prohibited.
What is the National Gun Registry?
In addition to legal gun ownership, the National Weapons Register (NWR) maps the entire life cycle of weapons and weapon parts, i.e. from their manufacture or import into Germany to their destruction or export from Germany. The data required for this is obtained in particular from commercial arms manufacturers and dealers. You are obliged to electronically report all handling of weapons and weapon parts to the NWR.
What should change in gun law?
Faeser is planning a change in the law, according to which semi-automatic weapons may no longer be privately owned. The aim of their initiative is also to obtain a comparison from the police and the gun ownership authorities about any moves.
What does the FDP want?
Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann points out that there are already strict gun laws in Germany. The priority now must be to better enforce the applicable law.
