For gun owners, there are changes in the storage of firearms in particular. The previously applicable standards for gun cabinets (security level A or B according to VDMA 24992 (as of May 1995)) have been replaced by the DIN/EN 1143-1 standard, resistance grade 0, I or higher. Weapons cabinets that were already in possession before the standard came into force are protected and can continue to be used. If the gun cabinet changes hands, the protection is lost. Newly purchased gun cabinets must comply with the new regulations. More detailed information on the storage of weapons and ammunition is set out in Section 13 of the General Weapons Act Ordinance (AWaffV).
In addition, as in 2009, there is an amnesty regulation. Accordingly, it is possible to hand in illegally owned weapons and ammunition to the weapons and police authorities without penalty for twelve months after the law comes into force.
This means that persons who hand over the relevant weapons or ammunition to the aforementioned authorities within this period will not be punished for unauthorized acquisition, unauthorized possession, unauthorized carrying on the direct route to the competent authority or police station or for unauthorized transfer of the weapons/ammunition. In contrast to the last amnesty in 2009, however, it will not be possible to hand over illegally owned weapons and ammunition to an authorized person.
By the end of January 2018, a total of 11 weapons had been handed in to the Minden-Lübbecke district police authority. These included eight long guns, two handguns and a "stun gun".
The employees of the weapons department would like to point out that the amnesty regulation is still in force until the beginning of July 2018 and that such weapons and objects can therefore be handed in without penalty until this date.
Further information on this topic is available during the office hours of our weapons department. These can be found in the contact box (top right).