Procedure descriptions

Granting of a licence for the commercial or self-employed manufacture, processing or repair of firearms or ammunition

You must apply to the relevant authority for a licence to manufacture, process or repair firearms or ammunition on a commercial basis. The same applies if you carry out the manufacture, processing or repair of firearms and ammunition on a self-employed basis as part of a commercial enterprise.

You are obliged to notify the relevant authority electronically of any handling of firearms.

Responsible authority

the district police authorities

The district police authority is, depending on your place of residence:

  • the district administration office,
  • the city council (in urban districts and large district towns) or
  • the administrative association
Landratsamt Ortenaukreis

Details

Prerequisite

To be granted a firearms manufacturing licence, you must:

  • be at least 18 years old,
  • be of good character within the meaning of Section 5 of the Weapons Act (WaffG) and
  • be personally suitable within the meaning of Section 6 of the Weapons Act (WaffG),
  • demonstrate the necessary expertise in accordance with Section 7 of the Weapons Act
  • and demonstrate a need in accordance with Section 8 of the Weapons Act (WaffG).

Procedure

Applications must be submitted to the relevant local firearms authority.

Deadlines

The licence shall lapse if the licence holder has not commenced the activity within one year of the licence being granted, or has not carried out the activity for a period of one year. These time limits may be extended for special reasons.

The holder of a licence under Section 21(1) of the Weapons Act must notify the competent authority within two weeks of the commencement or cessation of operations, as well as the opening or closure of a branch or a dependent branch office.

Required documents

  • Proof of your need, for example a business registration, unless you are self-employed in the course of an economic activity
  • Proof of your professional competence
  • Proof of your place of business and your premises or business premises
  • where applicable, a copy of any firearms manufacturing licence already granted
  • Proof (certificates or safety assessments) that your firearms and ammunition are stored securely
  • where applicable, an extract from the commercial register

Costs

The amount of the fees is determined by the local authority’s fee regulations. Please check with the relevant authority.

Miscellaneous

None

Legal basis

Waffengesetz (WaffG):

  • § 21 Gewerbsmäßige Waffenherstellung, Waffenhandel
  • § 37 Anzeigepflichten der gewerblichen Waffenhersteller und Waffenhändler

Release note

Machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 12.06.2026