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Firearms license; application for an extension

If your firearms license expires, you must have it renewed.

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Procedure details

You will receive a firearms license for a maximum of 3 years. You can have the firearms license extended twice for a maximum of 3 years.

You can obtain a firearms license to carry weapons that require a permit. A distinction is made between firearms requiring a permit and firearms not requiring a permit. In order to be allowed to carry unlicensed firearms, you need a small firearms license (see further information). A list of weapons for which you do not require a permit to acquire and possess can be found in Annex 2 of the Weapons Act.

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

The firearms license allows you to use a weapon outside

  • your own home,
  • your own business premises,
  • your own pacified property (e.g. your own garden) and
  • a shooting range

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

To obtain a firearms license, you must

  • be of the appropriate age and
  • your need,
  • Your reliability under firearms law,
  • your personal suitability,
  • your expertise in handling weapons and ammunition,
  • liability insurance that covers personal injury and property damage up to 1 million euros, and
  • the safe storage of weapons and ammunition

and ammunition.

Whether you (continue to) meet the requirements will be checked again upon renewal.

If you move to another town or municipality, you do not need to have your firearms license transferred.

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

  • You must have a valid permit for the purchase and possession of a weapon (e.g. weapon possession card).
  • You must have a firearms license.
  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must prove that it is necessary for you to carry weapons in public (need).

    In order to be allowed to carry weapons in public, you must provide a credible reason to the competent weapons authority. As a rule, a credible reason is recognized if
    • Your life is in great danger;
    • you can credibly demonstrate other reasons why you wish to carry weapons in public.
  • You must prove your reliability under firearms law.

    You may be deemed unreliable under firearms law if, among other things
    • you have been sentenced to a prison sentence of at least 1 year within the last 10 years (in the case of certain state security offences, a prison sentence or a fine of at least 90 daily rates is sufficient) 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 firearms legislation.
  • You must prove your personal suitability.

    You may be deemed 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 are unable to handle weapons or ammunition carefully or properly, or that you are unable to store these items carefully, or that there is a concrete danger that you will endanger others or yourself.
  • You must have liability insurance that covers personal injury and property damage up to a lump sum of 1 million euros.

  • The following documents are required:
    • Identity card or passport (copy)
    • Weapons possession card and weapons license
    • Proof of a need (for example proof of danger to your person)
    • Proof of liability insurance in the amount of 1 million euros (lump sum for personal injury and property damage)

You must have your firearms license renewed at the relevant firearms authority. Submit the application together with the required documents.

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

The fees for renewing a firearms license are between EUR 50 and EUR 250.

none

You can use the NWR identification numbers (NWR ID) to complete the application more quickly:

  • your personal NWR ID (P or F NWR ID) for your personal details
  • the permit NWR ID for the firearms permit (E-NWR ID)
  • the weapon or weapon part NWR ID (W or T NWR ID).

You can obtain the NWR IDs on application to the relevant weapons authority.

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Status: 04.04.2025
Editorial responsibility Bayerisches Staatsministerium des Innern, für Sport und Integration
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