Who am I allowed to sell a firearm to

The most important point by far when selling firearms is to check whether the buyer is authorized to purchase. Here you will learn which authorization applies to which firearm category and how to reliably verify it.

Free firearms

Any adult person may transfer free firearms to another adult person – as a gift or for a purchase price. You only need to check that the recipient is at least 18 years old and that it is actually a permit-free firearm.

How do I recognize a non-licensed firearm?

By the "F in the pentagon." The symbol means that the firearm is tested and imparts a maximum of 7.5 joules to the projectile. Older pneumatic and spring-powered guns that came to market before 1970 lack the symbol – they are still free. Newer firearms without the "F in the pentagon" are subject to a firearms license from 0.5 joules (including from abroad).

How do I recognize an SRS firearm?

SRS firearms (blank, irritant gas, and signal weapons) do not fire projectiles but discharge blank or irritant gas cartridges. You can recognize them by the "PTB in a circle" inspection mark. They are freely available from 18 years old but may only be carried with a small firearms license. More about SRS firearms.

Firearms Requiring a Permit

A valid acquisition permit must be present here. This can be one of the following.

Hunting License

The valid hunting license is the acquisition permit for all hunting long guns (that are not prohibited under § 19 BJagdG). Pay attention to the expiration date. Hunters also need a prior entry in a green firearms license for handguns. The hunting license also entitles you to purchase ammunition for long guns; for handgun ammunition, a corresponding handgun must be listed in the firearms license.

Green firearms license with pre-entry

The firearms license alone is not enough here – the firearm must be listed in a valid pre-entry. Since a pre-entry is only valid for one year, check the expiration date. If it has expired, the firearm may not be sold.

Yellow WBK (Sports Shooter WBK)

The yellow WBK is a purchase and possession permit for the types of firearms listed therein, without additional prior entry – according to § 14 Abs. 4 these are:

• single-shot single-loader long guns with smooth and rifled barrels
• repeating long guns with rifled barrels
• single-barrel single-loader handguns for cartridge ammunition
• multi-shot handguns and long guns with percussion ignition (caplock firearms)

Some authorities issue the yellow WBK only with restrictions (e.g. limited to one type of firearm or quantity). If the restriction is noted as an official entry, you must observe it. So: check the yellow WBK carefully.

Red firearms license (collector's license)

The red firearms license entitles you to purchase the firearms of the collection area specified in it. Here too, you are required under § 34 para. 1 WaffG to verify the entitlement. Ammunition may only be purchased with a red firearms license if this is explicitly recorded.

How do I check the acquisition eligibility?

You have two options for verification:

• Check original: The buyer shows the acquisition eligibility in original form when picking up in person. We advise against sending the original by mail.
• Check scan: If you receive a scan, verify its validity by phone with the issuing authority. The buyer must allow the authority in advance to confirm the information.

The exact assignment of which eligibility applies to which firearm type can be found in the overview Acquisition eligibility by firearm type.

Is a user with identity verification automatically authorized to purchase?

No. The identity verification only ensures that a user is really the person they claim to be – it does not say anything about purchase authorization. You must always check that separately. More about identity verification.

NWR IDs

For private firearm sales from private to private, NWR IDs are not necessary.