Apply for a permit to carry alarm, irritant and signal weapons (small firearms license)

The small firearms license entitles you to carry alarm, irritant or signal weapons with a mark of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB mark, see Figure 6). It is not permitted to carry these weapons at public amusements, public festivals, sporting events, trade fairs, exhibitions, markets or similar public events such as demonstrations, public processions, etc.

With a small firearms license and a valid identity card or passport, you can generally carry these weapons outside your own home, business premises, pacified property (e.g. a fenced or hedged property) or a shooting range.

The small firearms license is valid indefinitely and without explicit restrictions to certain occasions or areas.

Non-compliance constitutes a criminal offense and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment.

Holders of a valid hunting license do not require a small firearms license to carry alarm, irritant and signal weapons within the hunting grounds. They may fire these weapons within the scope of authorized hunting activities (e.g. hunting dog training, game damage prevention, hunting protection). In this respect, the hunting license is already a permit.

The firearms license is issued by the firearms authority in your district administration or the administration of your independent city.

The procedure can also be handled by the Single Point of Contact.

• Application for a small firearms license
• Identification document

Additional documents may also be required:

• Positive specialist medical or specialist psychological report

A separate platform has been developed for online applications. On the so-called service platform, you can submit your applications electronically and much more! You are welcome to get your own impression of the application in advance without registering first. Use the simulation for this. To be able to use the online application to its full extent, you must first register for the online application procedure.

Online application procedure of the Point of Single Contact Hesse

The general requirements for the issue of firearms licenses must be met. These are

Minimum age
18 years of age

Reliability
As a rule, you are not reliable under firearms law if, for example, you have been convicted of criminal offenses in connection with the handling of weapons. This is usually determined on the basis of information from the Federal Central Criminal Register, the Central Public Prosecutor's Register of Proceedings and by contacting the local police authorities.

Personal suitability
You are personally suitable if you are mentally and physically able to handle weapons. This is not the case, for example, if you are addicted to alcohol or drugs. If the authorities have doubts about your personal suitability, they are obliged to order a specialist medical or psychological report at your expense.

The competent authority will advise you on the requirements to be met in each individual case.

You can obtain a small firearms license on application.

Submit the necessary documents to the relevant authority for examination.

The authority will check whether the requirements are met and issue you with the small firearms license.

The small firearms license is valid indefinitely

Costs are incurred. These vary from region to region.
The responsible office will inform you of the costs incurred.

You require a separate permit to shoot with alarm, irritant and signal weapons.

For other alarm, irritant and signal weapons without PTB markings, you require a general firearms license and a firearms possession card.

You must store alarm, irritant and signal weapons in such a way that they cannot be lost or taken by third parties without authorization.