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Procedure descriptions
Apply for a small firearms licence
In most cases, a licence is required to handle weapons or ammunition.
You need a "small firearms licence" if you want to carry
- a blank firing weapon,
- an irritant weapon or
- a signalling weapon with PTB marking
According to the Weapons Act, the term "carrying" means: The exercise of actual force outside of
- your own home,
- your own business premises,
- own pacified property (e.g. fenced property) or a shooting range
- a shooting range.
Attention: Unauthorised handling of weapons and ammunition is a criminal offence - in certain cases an administrative offence.
You must also store unauthorised weapons and ammunition properly.
Tip: Find out about the applicable regulations before purchasing a weapon. Contact the responsible authority to clarify any questions.
Responsible authority
the district police authorities
Depending on where you live, the district police authority is
- the district administration,
- the municipal administration (in urban districts and large district towns) or
- the administrative community
Details
Prerequisite
The requirements for the small firearms licence are
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Reliability
- personal suitability
You do not have the required personal suitability, for example, if facts justify the assumption that you- legally incompetent,
- addicted to alcohol or
- mentally ill.
Procedure
You must apply for a small firearms licence from the competent authority. The application form is available there. Some authorities offer the application form for download.
The competent authority will check whether you have the necessary Reliability. In particular, it will obtain the following information:
- Information from the Federal Central Criminal Register
- Information from the central public prosecutor's register of proceedings
- Statement from the State Office of Criminal Investigation
- Statement from the Federal Police Headquarters
- Statement from the Customs Criminal Police Office
- Statement from the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution
If the competent authority has doubts as to whether you are personally suitable, it may request a
- an official or specialised medical certificate or
- a specialist psychological certificate.
Deadlines
none
Required documents
- Identity card or passport (for foreign nationals: national passport)
- possibly an official or specialist medical or psychological certificate
Costs
The amount of the fees depends on the municipal fee regulations. Please enquire with the responsible authority.
Miscellaneous
The "small firearms licence" is not time-limited.
Even if you possess weapons or ammunition without a licence, you must take all necessary precautions to ensure that
- these items are not lost or
- other persons do not take them without authorisation.
Legal basis
- § 4 Voraussetzungen für eine Erlaubnis
- § 5 Zuverlässigkeit
- § 6 Persönliche Eignung
- § 10 Erteilung von Erlaubnissen zum Erwerb, Besitz, Führen und Schießen
- § 36 Aufbewahren von Waffen und Munition
Anlage 2 zu § 2 Abs. 2 bis 4 Waffengesetz (WaffG) - Waffenliste
Release note
Machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 17.02.2025