Weapons manufacture; application for a permit

If you want to manufacture, process or repair firearms or ammunition, you need a firearms manufacturing license.

Permission to manufacture, process or repair firearms or ammunition on a commercial basis or independently as part of a commercial enterprise is granted in the form of a firearms manufacturing license.

The weapons manufacturing license may be limited to certain types of firearms and ammunition.

For firearms or ammunition covered by the permit, the firearms manufacturing permit includes permission for temporary or permanent transfer to holders of a firearms manufacturing or firearms trade permit and for purchase for the purpose of firearms manufacturing. In the case of gunsmiths entered in the register of craftsmen, the firearms manufacturing license includes the license to trade in firearms.

The permit expires if the permit holder has not started 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.

• Proof of reliability and personal suitability
• in the case of craft-based operation: Proof of entry in the register of craftsmen

The applicant must have the necessary reliability and personal suitability (see §§ 5 and 6 WaffG).

You must fulfill the necessary requirements in accordance with the Crafts Code (Handwerksordnung) if you operate as a craftsman.

The permit may be denied if you are not a German within the meaning of Article 116 of the Basic Law or if you have neither your habitual residence nor a commercial establishment within the scope of this Act.

• Issue of a weapons manufacturing permit in accordance with § 21 Para. 1 WaffG: 100 to 2,700 euros
• Issuing a deputy permit in accordance with § 21a WaffG: 50 to 500 euros

The holder of a permit must notify the competent authority within two weeks of the commencement and cessation of operations as well as the opening and closing of a branch office or dependent branch.

noIf the commercial manufacture of weapons is to be operated by a deputy, a separate deputy permit must be applied for for this person. This also applies if someone is appointed to manage a branch office or a dependent branch. The deputy permit is linked to the associated firearms manufacturing permit. The same requirements must be met for a deputy permit as for a gun manufacturing permit.