Although there is already a detailed article on the subject of alarm guns in Gunfinder magazine, some important questions are unfortunately not answered in this article. From the PTB test mark to the application for the small firearms license, this article therefore contains further information that is important when dealing with alarm guns.

What requirements must be met before buying a scare gun?

The answer to this question is relatively simple, because although alarm guns are weapons within the meaning of the Weapons Act, they belong to the so-called free weapons. The acquisition and possession are therefore permit-free, provided that the weapons bear a PTB test mark. Such weapons can then be freely acquired from an age of 18 years. So you only need a proof of age.

By the way, the weapons are not registered at the time of purchase and are not recorded by the authorities. You can theoretically buy as many weapons as you want and it does not matter whether you buy these weapons new in the store / Internet or used. The same legal requirements apply. The only exception in this context is only the weapons ban for the individual case, regulated in § 41 WaffG.

What about weapons without a PTB test mark?

This is really a very exciting question, which has suddenly become relevant, especially after the amendment of the Weapons Act. Previously, it was actually forbidden to obtain a firearm from the Czech Republic, for example, if it did not have a PTB test mark. Today it is at least theoretically conceivable. However, this weapon must then comply with a specific EU directive (this is described in more detail in Annex 2 to the Weapons Act). In this respect, it is theoretically allowed, but practically rather difficult. If you want to be on the safe side, you should always choose a weapon with a PTB test mark in order to avoid certain problems in advance.

What does the small firearms license entitle the holder to do?

The right keyword here is carrying. The small firearms license entitles the holder to carry alarm firearms. Regardless of the current state of loading of the weapon.

"According to the Weapons Act, a weapon is carried by anyone who exercises actual control over it outside their own home, business premises, their own contented property or a shooting range." // Annex 1 to the Weapons Act

In plain language, this means that anyone who handles such a weapon at home or on their own property does not need a separate authorization and only has to be 18 years old. However, if you want to take the weapon outside, then the small firearms license is due (see also § 10 para 4 WaffG).

How to apply for the small firearms license?

A question that can not be answered 100%, because this varies from place of residence to place of residence. The responsible authority is the respective district or the city in which you live. Under certain circumstances, this can also be the local police, who take over this task. In many places, however, the application can be submitted by mail or even via the Internet. This saves time, which is also urgently needed. A processing time of several months is not uncommon. And, of course, fees are also incurred.

What does the small firearms license cost?

Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered uniformly either. In my place of residence, it currently costs about 60 euros. In Hamburg, you only pay 50 euros for the permit, but in Berlin it's just under 100 euros. All in all, you should plan on paying about 50 to 100 euros. Of course, it should also be noted that the money or at least the deposit is gone, if the gun license can not be issued for any reason. This is because the authorities charge administrative fees that are not refunded afterwards. If, for example, you are a defendant in a current criminal case, you should wait with the application for the time being.

Carry a firearm openly or concealed?

I have already gone into this question in a detailed YouTube video, so here is just the short version: there is no provision in the entire Weapons Act and also in the General Administrative Regulation on the Weapons Act that states how the weapon is ultimately to be carried. Of course, it makes sense to always carry weapons only concealed, in order not to cause panic and ultimately perhaps even an unnecessary police operation. However, if one refers purely to the legal situation, then the weapon could be carried both openly and concealed. It is only important that you always carry your small arms license and a corresponding ID card.

For more information on this topic, see my YouTube video.

Do I have to buy a gun safe for storage?

Gun cabinets in Germany are divided into different classes (also called resistance grades) to decide how many short and / or long guns may be stored in the cabinet. For alarm firearms, however, no special security container is required, because a "locked container" is already sufficient according to the law. The weapons must therefore only be stored unloaded and locked. To ensure that unauthorized persons really do not have access to the weapons, you should of course not skimp on this point and at least purchase a small furniture safe or similar.

Are alarm guns suitable for self-defense?

Shotguns are also called SRS weapons. Behind this abbreviation hides ultimately the scope of application of these weapons. The letters stand for alarm, irritant and signal weapons. Consequently, shotguns are very well suited for self-defense. Especially if they are loaded with special cartridges containing irritants such as pepper or CS. There are also special bang flash or so-called flash cartridges, which produce a particularly loud bang and a particularly strong muzzle flash. Whether or not you actually want to use this weapon for self-defense is, of course, up to you.

Can a dangerous bodily injury by means of a scare gun be justified by self-defense?

In principle, yes, but that always depends on the specific individual case. Many factors must be considered when examining justification. It is not for nothing that they are scrutinized in court by fully qualified lawyers. A general answer to this question is therefore hardly possible.

Is it possible to fire live ammunition with a scare gun?

In a nutshell: of course you can't. First of all, each gun is equipped with a special barrel lock, which is designed to prevent projectiles from being propelled through it. Furthermore, it is not even possible to load a 9 mm Luger cartridge into the 9 mm P.A.K. cartridge chamber of a scare gun. The size ratios are simply not compatible here.

And even if one should manage to convert the weapon in violation of the prohibition, this is not only extremely difficult and illegal, but also extremely dangerous. The high pressure of live ammunition would certainly not withstand a scare gun for a long time. Shooting live ammunition is therefore not possible due to several factors.

How much does a shotgun cost?

Provided that the above-mentioned requirements are met, there is nothing to stop you from buying a shotgun. It does not matter whether the weapon is purchased online or in a traditional retail store. The prices are of course significantly lower than the prices of sharp firearms and vary between 75 and 250 euros. Of course, this also depends on the particular brand and model. However, you can get a solid scare gun for as little as 150 euros. Comparison portals such as Gunfinder make the search easier, as several offers from various platforms and dealers can be compared here.

However, one should be careful with the required cartridges. Since they are dangerous goods, shipping can quickly become expensive here. In addition to the 10 to 20 euros per 50 rounds, another 20 euros or more are then added for the dangerous goods shipping. So if you only need small quantities, you might want to go to a retail store. Or you can stock up and buy larger quantities directly. This is probably the best way to get the cartridges at the best price.

More information about alarm guns and of course other free weapons can be found on my YouTube channel "Kwannick - Waffengesetz und Co".

Disclaimer: The excerpts from the Weapons Act are from the current version of 01.09.2020. The author of this article assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy and completeness of the information provided.