As of September 1, 2020, the National Firearms Register 2 comes into effect. With the second part of the National Firearms Register, the Federal Republic implements important regulations of the European Firearms Directive into national law. We explain which important changes affect hunters and sport shooters.
For manufacturers and dealers, this means that all weapon inventories must be transferred to the National Register and changes of ownership must be reported. However, hunters and sport shooters are also affected by the updates to the National Firearms Register, at least in the case of new acquisitions, sales, or longer repair times, and they must obtain certain information in advance.
This primarily concerns the ID:
What is the NWR-ID?
The NWR-ID is a unique technical identification number (ID) of the National Firearms Register. It is assigned once for the technical description of data stored in the NWR, including data on individuals, permits or permit documents, and weapons / weapon parts (essential parts). The NWR-ID ensures the unique identification and assignment of data in the NWR. Composition of the NWR-ID The NWR-ID consists of a 21-character alphanumeric sequence.
The first letter describes the type of NWR-ID
- P = natural person
- F = legal entity
- E = permit
- W = weapon
- T = weapon part (essential parts)
All weapons and essential weapon parts will receive such an ID in the future. For a standard repeating rifle, the barrel, the bolt, and recently also the receiver will receive such a number. But not, as rumored, stamped or lasered onto the parts, but rather in the background as visual numbers in the weapon register. In break-action firearms, the barrel and the receiver and bolt unit are classified as the leading essential weapon part.
All weapon owners will also receive a personal, 21-character NWR-ID. Additionally, each weapon ownership card will have a permit authorization ID. This means that each WBK will also receive its own acquisition ID.
Commercial firearms manufacturers and dealers are legally required to electronically submit their business transactions (for example, acquisition or transfer) via the so-called head office. The notifications are automatically received by the head office, forwarded to the NWR, and stored there. To ensure the unique identification and assignment of data in this automated data processing, commercial firearms manufacturers and dealers must provide the NWR-IDs of the affected person, the permit, the weapon, and the essential parts when submitting the notification. The NWR-ID ensures that the reported data is assigned to the correct data in the NWR.
For each notification, the following NWR-IDs must be provided:
- Your own person NWR-ID (P or F),
- Your own permit NWR-ID
- The NWR-ID of the weapon/weapon part that is the subject of the notification.
In the case of a change of ownership notification, the NWR-IDs of the acquirer or transferor must also be provided (person NWR-ID and permit NWR-ID).
An example: A commercial firearms dealer transfers a weapon to a private weapon owner. In the transfer notification, the following must be provided:
- Person and permit NWR-ID of the commercial firearms dealer (transferor),
- Person and permit NWR-ID of the private weapon owner (acquirer)
- Weapon NWR-ID.
By providing the NWR-IDs, it is ensured that the transfer notification refers to the correct weapon and that the NWR assigns the correct weapon to the correct acquirer. Exception: If the acquirer or the weapon or an essential part is not registered in the NWR, the NWR-IDs must not be provided, but rather the clear data. This is the case, for example, with a first acquisition by a young hunter.
The NWR-IDs are communicated by the responsible firearms authority to the affected person. Communication to commercial firearms manufacturers or dealers: They receive person and permit NWR-IDs upon registration for the use of the NWR head office AND/OR upon request from their responsible firearms authority.
Communication to private weapon owners during their next visit to the firearms authority person and permit NWR-IDs:
- Imprint in the permit documents (WBK) Advantage: Both IDs are always immediately available in the permit document!
- Weapon/weapon part NWR-IDs: Printout of the master data sheet. Notes on communication for the firearms authorities Examples of the imprint of person and permit NWR-IDs in the permit document
This does not mean that for all weapons already in one's own cabinet, all IDs will be immediately necessary. Nevertheless, it is advisable to request the personal NWR and acquisition ID. Because these will definitely be needed for future weapon purchases. The weapon IDs are only needed in the case of sale or longer stays with the gunsmith, for example, when repairs or the mounting of the scope are necessary. Also, when transferring to the manufacturer, the gunsmith must report this to the National Firearms Register with the ID, which means a significant additional effort for the industry. Important for weapon owners is that WBK entries from September 1 will no longer be made by any dealer, but only by the firearms authorities.
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