Applying for a permit to trade in firearms or ammunition commercially or independently

• You make an application and submit the required documents
• The required documents will be checked and you may have to submit additional required documents
• Your age, your reliability, your personal suitability, your specialist knowledge, your expertise and your need will be checked (§ 4 Para. 1 No. 1 to 4 WaffG)
• a decision is made on the firearms law

Please contact your local firearms authority.

• You have reached the age of 18.
• You are reliable within the meaning of the Weapons Act.
• You are personally suitable within the meaning of the Weapons Act.
• You are competent within the meaning of the Weapons Act.
• You have a need within the meaning of the Weapons Act. You will be trading in weapons commercially or independently as part of a commercial enterprise.
• You are competent within the meaning of the Weapons Act

• Proof of your need, e.g. business registration, unless you are self-employed as part of a commercial activity
• Proof of your expertise
• Proof of your specialist knowledge
• Proof of your place of business and your operating or business premises
• If applicable, a copy of any firearms manufacturing license already issued
• Proof (certificates or safety reports) that your weapons and ammunition are stored safely

The permit expires if the permit holder has not commenced the activity within one year of the permit being issued or has not exercised it for one year. The time limits may be extended for special reasons.

The holder of a permit pursuant to Section 21 (1) WaffG must notify the competent authority within two weeks of the commencement and cessation of operations as well as the opening and closure of a branch office or dependent branch.

• § 21 para. 1 clause 2 Weapons Act

Administrative court action

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance necessary: No

21.05.2025