Weapons; General information

Weapons, e.g. firearms, certain knives, swords, defense spray, etc. are divided into different categories under the Weapons Act. Handling them - acquiring, possessing, carrying, shooting, transporting, transferring, manufacturing, handling, trading and processing, etc. - is either free, subject to an age requirement, subject to authorization or generally prohibited. The acquisition and possession of ammunition is similarly regulated. If you are in any doubt, please contact your local administrative authority (district office or city).

As a rule, only persons over the age of 18 are permitted to handle weapons or ammunition. There are exceptions, e.g. when shooting on approved shooting ranges under supervision. The minimum age for the purchase and possession of large-caliber weapons is generally 21 years for sport shooters. To purchase large-caliber firearms, persons between the ages of 18 and 25 must also provide a medical-psychological report on their personal suitability. Hunters are exempt from this requirement. If you want to handle weapons or ammunition, in most cases you will need a weapons permit from your district administrative authority. This permit is issued on application, e.g. in the form of a weapons possession card, a weapons license, a shooting permit, a manufacturing and trading permit, etc. The prerequisites for the issue of these permits are generally that you are reliable and physically fit, can credibly demonstrate a need, have the necessary expertise and, in some cases, have appropriate liability insurance.

As a rule, reliability is given if you have behaved in accordance with the law to date. A need may exist in particular for sport shooters, hunters, gun collectors and people who are demonstrably at considerable risk. You can obtain this expertise from state authorities, private institutions (e.g. sports clubs) or during training to become a hunter.

If you own firearms or ammunition, you must ensure that these weapons are stored safely. This is to prevent firearms or ammunition from going missing or third parties, especially children and young people, from taking these items without authorization.

Further information can be found in the corresponding description of the service (see "Related topics").

Weapons licenses, like other state licenses, are subject to a fee. You can find out the individual fees from the responsible district administrative authority (district administration office or district-free city) or call up the corresponding service description (see "Related topics").