Kleinen Waffenschein beantragen

If you wish to carry unlicensed firearms, such as alarm weapons, irritant weapons and signal weapons with the approval mark of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), in public, you require a small firearms license.

If you have a small firearms license, you may carry unlicensed weapons such as alarm guns, irritant weapons and signal weapons with PTB approval marks in the district, outside your own home.

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

carry them concealed. However, you may not carry these weapons at public events.

A distinction is made between firearms that require a permit and those that do not. Firearms that do not require a permit include

• Firearms that fire cartridge ammunition (alarm weapons),
• Firearms that fire irritants or other active substances (irritant weapons),
• firearms that fire pyrotechnic ammunition (signal weapons).

You can recognize permit-free weapons by the "PTB" approval mark in the circle. All weapons that are not alarm, irritant or signal weapons with a PTB mark in the circle are classified as weapons requiring a permit. You can find a detailed list of weapons for which you require a weapons possession card (WBK) in Annex 2 of the Weapons Act.

However, you also need a firearms license if you wish to carry compressed air weapons, spring-loaded weapons and_{CO2 weapons} with less than 7.5 joules, which are marked with an "F" symbol, in public. The use of these weapons in a fenced area, for example for paintball activities, does not require a permit.

In general, firearms are objects that are intended for attack or defense, signaling, hunting, distance injection, marking, sport or play and in which projectiles are propelled through a barrel or in which solid bodies are fired in a targeted manner, the propelling energy of which can be introduced by muscle power or another energy source and stored or held by a locking device (for example crossbows, arrow launchers).

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

The small firearms license is unlimited.

If you are carrying a permit-free weapon, you must be able to identify yourself with an identity card or passport and the small firearms license.

You may be refused a small firearms license if you have not lived in Germany within the last 5 years.

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

If you handle weapons and ammunition without authorization, you could face a fine or imprisonment.

• Identity card or passport (copy)
• Proof of storage (e.g. photo of the sealable container)

To obtain a small firearms license, you must

• be at least 18 years old,
• Your reliability under firearms law,
• your personal suitability and
• the safe storage of weapons and ammunition

and the safe storage of weapons and ammunition.

Reliability under firearms law

You can be assessed as reliable under firearms law if, among other things

• if you have not been sentenced to a prison sentence of at least 1 year within the last 10 years and have not been a member of or supported a prohibited organization in the last 10 years.
• if it cannot be assumed that you misuse weapons or ammunition or handle them improperly, store these items carefully or hand them over to persons who are not authorized to do so.
• if you have not been in preventive police custody more than once in the last 5 years with judicial authorization due to violence.
• if you have not repeatedly or grossly violated firearms legislation.

Personal suitability

You may be assessed as personally unsuitable if, among other things

• you are legally incompetent.
• 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 cannot store these items carefully or that there is a concrete danger that you will endanger others or yourself.

You must apply for a small firearms license from the relevant firearms authority. Submit the application together with the required documents.

The firearms authority will issue you with a small firearms license if you meet the necessary requirements.

• Permit to carry alarm, irritant and signal weapons with PTB approval mark - small firearms license issued
• Small firearms license for the concealed carrying of a permit-free weapon outside
  • your own home
  • your own business premises
  • your own pacified property (e.g. garden)
  • a shooting range
• No carrying at public events
• Permit-free firearms are
  • Firearms with which cartridge ammunition is fired (alarm weapons),
  • firearms with which irritants or other substances are fired (irritant weapons) or
  • firearms with which pyrotechnic ammunition is fired (signal weapons).
• Permit-free weapons marked with the "PTB" approval mark
• Transporting a permit-free firearm without a small firearms license only if the weapon
  • is not loaded (not ready to fire) and
  • is in a locked container (not ready for use)
• Carrying an unlicensed firearm only with
  • identity card or passport and
  • the small firearms license
• Permit is valid indefinitely
• Prerequisites:
  • Minimum age: 18 years
  • No criminal record (reliability under firearms law)
  • No legal incapacity, mental illness or dependence on drugs (personal suitability)
  • Storage of the weapons in a locked container
• When moving: no re-registration of the small firearms license necessary
• Responsible: Weapons authority

Weapons authority