German Article on "Shooters" and Remakes

JuergenG · 11-16-2001, 05:53 AM

Wolfgang,

yes, firearms are much restricted over here.

There are est. 3.5 million gun owners and about 20 organizations.

Every acquisition, with few exceptions, requires a permit issued prior to each single buy.

This permit is specific to kind and caliber. One can buy only ammunition of specific caliber(s) permitted unless one holds a collector's permit for ammunition.

Exceptions are made to non-repeating rifles/shotguns with a min. length of approx. 24 ".

This is applicable to multi barreled arms such as an over/under or drilling as well.

Once we have a permit for this kind, we can buy with no limitation and need to register the arm within 14 days.

Each permit requires a confirmation i.e. by a shooters association or range owner that one is in need for this particalur arm for sporting purposes.

The association or range owner must confirm that you have successfully shot for at least 6 months.

Also, a clean criminal record is required.

Loosing the drivers license i.e. for "driving under the influence" or even tax evasion are disqualifiers.

Even when you are in posession of firearms already and are sentenced in a criminal case the permit will be revoked.

Carry or concealed carry is strictly limited.

En route to the range guns and ammo must be seperated and not in direct reach.

Currently a "reform act" of the firearms law is in the makes.

Once the current draft which is in parliament will become law, things will get way more difficult.

Strict regulations on storage, unlimited access of authorities to ones house are just a few examples.

Also, when applying for another gun we will have to prove that all others in posession remain to be used for the purpose they were bought for; i.e. sporting or hunting.

No longer shooting in competitions actively shall mean that permits can be revoked.

This all although authorities know that least crime committed is in connection with legally owned firearms.

Per the federal police agency there are approx. 10 million legal arms in Germany, the number of illegal arms is estimated to be at least 20 million.

The government (thanks to the Greens) popularizes the issue.

They know that they can barely get a hold of illegal arms and therefore they go after the legally owned.

One having an illegal AK cheaply bought from the Russians after the fall of the East German border won't give a damn.

Well, up to now we are in a way better position than the folks in the UK who can hardly own firearms except shotguns.

Several associations/forums are trying hard to fight against the new law to come, but unfortunately we don't have such a powerful organization as you have with the NRA.

Keep going !

Juergen

11-16-2001, 05:53 AM	#9
JuergenG User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 155 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Rules and Restrictions in Germany Wolfgang, yes, firearms are much restricted over here. There are est. 3.5 million gun owners and about 20 organizations. Every acquisition, with few exceptions, requires a permit issued prior to each single buy. This permit is specific to kind and caliber. One can buy only ammunition of specific caliber(s) permitted unless one holds a collector's permit for ammunition. Exceptions are made to non-repeating rifles/shotguns with a min. length of approx. 24 ". This is applicable to multi barreled arms such as an over/under or drilling as well. Once we have a permit for this kind, we can buy with no limitation and need to register the arm within 14 days. Each permit requires a confirmation i.e. by a shooters association or range owner that one is in need for this particalur arm for sporting purposes. The association or range owner must confirm that you have successfully shot for at least 6 months. Also, a clean criminal record is required. Loosing the drivers license i.e. for "driving under the influence" or even tax evasion are disqualifiers. Even when you are in posession of firearms already and are sentenced in a criminal case the permit will be revoked. Carry or concealed carry is strictly limited. En route to the range guns and ammo must be seperated and not in direct reach. Currently a "reform act" of the firearms law is in the makes. Once the current draft which is in parliament will become law, things will get way more difficult. Strict regulations on storage, unlimited access of authorities to ones house are just a few examples. Also, when applying for another gun we will have to prove that all others in posession remain to be used for the purpose they were bought for; i.e. sporting or hunting. No longer shooting in competitions actively shall mean that permits can be revoked. This all although authorities know that least crime committed is in connection with legally owned firearms. Per the federal police agency there are approx. 10 million legal arms in Germany, the number of illegal arms is estimated to be at least 20 million. The government (thanks to the Greens) popularizes the issue. They know that they can barely get a hold of illegal arms and therefore they go after the legally owned. One having an illegal AK cheaply bought from the Russians after the fall of the East German border won't give a damn. Well, up to now we are in a way better position than the folks in the UK who can hardly own firearms except shotguns. Several associations/forums are trying hard to fight against the new law to come, but unfortunately we don't have such a powerful organization as you have with the NRA. Keep going ! Juergen