Introduction

Weapons legislation in Germany has undergone several significant changes in recent years. These amendments are part of the Federal Government's efforts to increase public safety and prevent the misuse of firearms. The changes to the law affect the acquisition and possession of weapons as well as their storage and handling. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the most important changes to German firearms legislation up to 01.01.2024.

The most important changes at a glance

1. Tightening of the weapons laws in 2020
2. Introduction of the National Weapons Register 2.0
3. Extension of the background check
4. New regulations on the storage of weapons
5. Improved monitoring and controls

1. tightening of the weapons laws 2020

In 2020, a comprehensive tightening of the German Weapons Act came into force. These changes were largely a response to terrorist threats and growing security concerns. The most important points included:

• Banning certain types of weapons: semi-automatic weapons that give the appearance of fully automatic weapons of war were banned. This applies in particular to weapons that can easily be converted into fully automatic weapons.
• Magazine sizes: Magazines holding more than ten rounds for long guns and more than 20 rounds for short guns have been banned for civilians.
• Psychological tests: Psychological tests were introduced for initial applications for firearms licenses in order to better assess the suitability of the applicant.

2. introduction of the National Firearms Register 2.0

Another important step was the introduction of the National Weapons Register 2.0 (NWR 2.0) in 2021. This expanded register system serves to improve the traceability and control of weapons and weapon parts. The innovations include:

• Centralized data collection: all essential weapon parts must be recorded in the National Weapons Register, ensuring complete traceability.
• Extended registration obligations: Silencers and essential weapon parts such as breechblocks and barrels must now also be registered.
• Electronic reporting: Gun dealers and gun owners are required to report changes in gun ownership electronically, which shortens processing times and makes administration more efficient.

3. extension of the background check

The background check required for the acquisition and possession of weapons has been significantly extended. This measure aims to ensure that only people who do not pose a threat to public safety are granted access to weapons.

• Regular checks: The background check will now be repeated at regular intervals, instead of only being carried out when applying for a gun ownership card for the first time.
• Involvement of other authorities: In addition to the previous checks by the police and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, information from other authorities such as the judiciary and the health service will now also be included.
• Stricter criteria: People who have been convicted of certain criminal offenses or who are suspected of extremist activities will be excluded from gun ownership.

4. new regulations on the storage of weapons

The safe storage of weapons is a central aspect of German weapons legislation. In recent years, the requirements for the storage of weapons and ammunition have been tightened to prevent unauthorized access.

• New standards for gun cabinets: Since 2020, all newly purchased gun cabinets must meet the requirements of security level 0 or 1 in accordance with the DIN/EN 1143-1 standard.
• Separation of weapons and ammunition: Weapons and ammunition must be stored in separate, secured containers if they are not to be immediately ready for use.
• Controls: Compliance with the storage regulations is checked by increased controls by the competent authorities. Violations may result in severe penalties, including revocation of the gun ownership card.

5. improved monitoring and controls

The monitoring and control of legal gun ownership has also been intensified in recent years.

• Increased cooperation: Cooperation between various authorities and institutions has been improved in order to optimize the exchange of information and ensure that weapons laws are enforced.
• Stock checks: Firearms authorities are now required to regularly check the inventories of firearms dealers and owners to ensure that all weapons are properly registered and securely stored.
• Use of new technologies: Modern technologies such as electronic gun registers and monitoring systems have been introduced to enable more effective control and tracking of weapons.

Conclusion

The changes to German firearms legislation in recent years reflect efforts to increase public safety and prevent the misuse of weapons. Stricter regulations, improved monitoring and the use of modern technologies are intended to strictly control the legal possession of weapons and effectively prevent misuse. These measures ensure that only reliable and suitable persons have access to firearms, while at the same time protecting the rights of legal gun owners.