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Small firearms license; application

If you wish to carry alarm, irritant and signal weapons with the approval mark of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in public, you must first apply for a small firearms license.

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Procedure details

If you have alarm, irritant and signal weapons with PTB approval marks in the district (so-called SRS weapons) outside of

  • your own home,
  • your own business premises or
  • your own pacified property (e.g. your own garden)

you need a small firearms license for this. However, it is generally prohibited to carry an SRS weapon at public events.

The small firearms license is not valid for compressed air weapons, spring-loaded weapons andCO2 weapons marked with an "F" symbol.

It is recommended that you inform yourself in detail about the regulations of firearms law before submitting your application.

If you are carrying an SRS weapon, you must have the small firearms license with you and be able to identify yourself with an identity card or passport.

The small firearms license is valid indefinitely.

You may be refused a small firearms license if you have not lived in Germany within the last 5 years.

If you move to another city or municipality, you do not have to have the small firearms license transferred.

If you handle weapons and ammunition without the required firearms license, you could face a fine or imprisonment.

To obtain a small firearms license, you must

  • be at least 18 years old,
  • be reliable under firearms law and
  • personal suitability

possess.

Reliability under firearms law

You must be reliable under firearms law.

You may be deemed unreliable under firearms law if, among other things

  • you have been sentenced to at least one year's imprisonment within the last 10 years or have been a member of or supported a prohibited organization in the last 10 years.
  • it can be assumed that you misuse weapons or ammunition or handle them improperly, do not store these items carefully or hand them over to persons who are not authorized to do so.
  • you have been in preventive police custody more than once in the last 5 years with judicial authorization due to violence.
  • you have repeatedly or grossly violated the Weapons Act.

Personal suitability

You must be personally suitable.

You may be assessed as personally unsuitable if, among other things

  • You are legally incompetent.
  • you are dependent on alcohol or other intoxicating substances, mentally ill or mentally retarded.
  • you suffer from serious illnesses, such as brain injuries, or physical impairments, such as amputations or severe visual impairment.
  • it can be assumed that you do not handle weapons or ammunition carefully or properly or cannot store these items carefully or that there is a concrete danger that you will endanger others or yourself.

  • The following documents are required:
    • Identity card or passport (copy)

You must apply for a small firearms license from the relevant firearms authority. Submit the application together with the required documents.

The firearms authority will issue the small firearms license if you meet the necessary requirements.

The fees for issuing a small firearms license are between 30 and 150 EUR.

Compulsory action before the administrative court

Status: 05.02.2025
Editorial responsibility Bayerisches Staatsministerium des Innern, für Sport und Integration
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