Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
European Commission. 2014 ‘Germany.’ Study to Support an Impact Assessment on Options for Combatting Illicit Firearms Trafficking in the European Union, p. 165. Luxembourg: Centre for Strategy & Evaluation Services. 1 July
Relevant contents
Provision on the criminalisation of illicit firearms trafficking: Germany
In German law there is no definition of illegal arms trafficking as such.
According to Chapter 21 of the Weapons Act the commercial trade in firearms and ammunition requires a licence.
According to chapters 29 to 31 of the Weapons Act the same applies to the act of moving a weapon (defined as arranging for a weapon or ammunition to be transported over the border into, through or out of the territory governed by this Act in Annex 1 (to Section 1 (4)), Part 2, No. 5).
Trading in weapons or moving a weapon without a licence constitutes a criminal offence punishable by fine or imprisonment of up to ten years (depending on the kind of weapon and further circumstances).
For details please see Chapters 21, 29 to 31, 51 and 52 of the Weapons Act (attachment 1).
The Foreign Trade Act provides for further criminal offences with regard to illegal trafficking. For further information please contact the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.