On 01 September 2020, the new Weapons Act will come into force in full. The changes are accompanied by drastic tightening for hunters, sport shooters and gun collectors as well as dealers. Here is a summary of the most important changes
(the details of the paragraphs refer to the Weapons Act, unless otherwise stated). The information is without guarantee.
Weapons Prohibition Zones
State governments are empowered to introduce gun ban zones without being a crime "hot spot." There, in addition to the usual prohibitions, there is a ban on carrying knives (fixed and adjustable) that have a blade length of more than 4 cm. Gutting are possible (§ 40)
Prohibition of "high capacity" magazines
So-called Hi-Cap magazines, which are over 20 rounds for handguns and over 10 rounds for long guns. Magazines that can be used for both long and short guns count as short gun magazines. The capacity is based on the manufacturer's specifications.
Semi-automatic rifles with fixed magazines of higher capacity are thus banned, but bolt action rifles with a fixed magazine capacity of more than 10 rounds are currently not affected. Anyone who owns magazines that are affected by the ban can surrender them (taking into account the transport regulations at the appropriate police or licensing authority) or submit an application to the BKA (paragraph 58 with reference to § 40). The AfIuH advises, however, to make exceptions for sport shooters by obtaining special permits from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).
Ban on saluting weapons
Saluting weapons are classified as subject to an acquisition license or as a prohibited object, depending on whether the converted weapon was previously classified as subject to an acquisition license or as a prohibited object.
A firearm converted to a saluting weapon (category A of the EU Firearms Directive/§ 58 with reference to § 40) that is subject to a prohibition therefore also remains prohibited as a saluting weapon, while a firearm formerly subject to a permit remains subject to a permit.
For the latter, permits are issued under simplified conditions, no weapons expertise test is required.
Berdürfnisbewilligung
In the future, a distinction will be made between the need to acquire and the need to possess a firearm. The authorities are obliged to inspect the permit every 5 years.
Need check
The need to possess weapons requiring a permit within the first ten years is linked to shooting certificates for each type of weapon (long or short) (one shooting date per quarter or six shooting dates per year) within the last 24 months before the need check. Only after ten years a certificate of membership from the shooting club is sufficient.
Regular inquiry with the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Inquiries with the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution for the purpose of background checks are now carried out on a regular basis and also apply in the context of explosives law. The check is accompanied by the risk of loss of reliability.
Restriction yellow WBK
Yellow weapons possession cards are limited to a maximum of ten weapons.
Shooting range checks
Shooting range inspections must be carried out by an expert every four years for shooting ranges for weapons requiring a permit and every six years for shooting ranges for weapons not requiring a permit.
Shooting range experts
The federal states are authorized to define training criteria for shooting range experts.
Firearms rendered unusable
Firearms deactivated under previous German law that do not meet the requirements of the EU Deactivation Regulation will in future be treated as live firearms.
However, "old deactivated weapons" will remain license-free and also notification-free as long as they do not change hands. Only in the event of a change of ownership (including inheritance) or transfer to another EU member state must old decommissioned weapons be deactivated in accordance with the new requirements. In the event of a change of ownership, an application can also be made for a weapons
This permit is issued under simplified conditions (no weapons expert examination required).
Essential parts of firearms
Cases and grips as well as bolt carriers of long firearms are classified as essential parts of firearms and are therefore subject to authorization.
Silencers without prior entry (effective immediately!)
Hunters may purchase silencers for long guns with centerfire ammunition upon presentation of a valid hunting license. The previously required pre-registration is no longer required, but the silencer must still be entered in the WBK after purchase.
Night vision and pre-sighting
Hunters are allowed to purchase night sights and attachments for target optics upon presentation of the valid annual hunting license, however, the use is regulated by the respective state hunting laws.
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