On Thursday (May 15, 2025) NO appointments in weapons matters can be offered.
To apply, you can use the forms provided in the download area. Please also note the information below on how to apply.
General information on weapons law can be found on the Landesseite der Polizei NRW.
How to submit your application:
Please send your application documents by post to the following address:
Kreispolizeibehörde Kleve
Direktion ZA, Dez. ZA 1
-Waffenbehörde-
Kanalstraße 7
47533 Kleve
or by e-mail to: waffenwesen.kleve [at] polizei.nrw.de (waffenwesen[dot]kleve[at]polizei[dot]nrw[dot]de).
Your personal appearance is generally not required.
A personal appearance is only possible during the office hours listed on the right or by appointment with the responsible clerk.
Please note that it is generally not possible to process your firearms-related concerns immediately and conclusively due to statutory checks. Please therefore contact the responsible officer before visiting the office in person. In most cases, matters relating to firearms law can also be clarified by telephone, e-mail or in writing. This also helps to shorten processing times.
The processing of applications under the Weapons Act is subject to a fee. Applications are processed after a background check has been carried out. We ask for your understanding that there may be delays in processing applications due to the processing of other matters that need to be prioritized.
Please note that only completely filled out applications can be processed.
When acquiring or transferring firearms, complete information on the acquiring / transferring person and the weapon data must be provided - ideally, the respective NWR identification numbers (NWR IDs) of the persons and weapons should also be provided. Furthermore, the date of actual possession / surrender of the weapon must be communicated.
If not all documents are complete and submitted on time, the initiation of administrative offense proceedings may be considered. Administrative offenses under the Weapons Act can be punished with a fine of up to 10,000 euros.
The mere submission of invoices / delivery bills or purchase contracts for the acquisition or sale of firearms does not generally meet the requirements for a complete application. The mere submission of the firearms possession card does not constitute a complete application either.
Request for NWR identification numbers (NWR IDs):
Pursuant to Section 37 WaffG, holders of a firearms manufacturing or trading license are obliged to electronically report in particular the acquisition, transfer or conversion of finished firearms requiring a permit. If you buy, sell or repair a weapon, you therefore need so-called NWR identification numbers (NWR IDs).
You can request your NWR IDs informally at the e-mail address waffenwesen.kleve [at] polizei.nrw.de (waffenwesen[dot]kleve[at]polizei[dot]nrw[dot]de). Please provide your full first and last name, your date of birth and your current address.
Further information on NWR IDs can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Administration.
Check of weapons storage
Anybody who owns weapons or ammunition must take the necessary precautions to prevent these items from being lost or taken by third parties without authorization (Section 36 (1) of the Weapons Act).
The Kleve district police authority regularly checks the safe storage of weapons and ammunition by permit holders. The inspections are always unannounced and independent of suspicion.
As a permit holder, you are obliged under Section 36 (3) sentence 2 of the Weapons Act to allow the weapons authority access to the rooms in which weapons and ammunition subject to authorization are stored in order to check their safe storage. If you repeatedly fail to comply with this obligation without justification, this may result in unreliability and thus the revocation of your firearms license.
The firearms authority points out that even a single violation of the storage regulations can lead to the determination of unreliability under firearms law.
Non-compliance with the storage regulations also constitutes an administrative offense, which is punishable by a fine of up to 10,000 euros. If there is a risk of loss or unauthorized access to firearms and ammunition by third parties, this is a criminal offence punishable by a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine.
Found firearms and ammunition?
If you have found firearms and ammunition, for example when clearing out your home, moving house or as a result of an inheritance, please inform the weapons authority immediately - i.e. as soon as possible - using the contact details provided on the right. Outside office hours and at weekends, please contact the closest police station without delay.
If you report the discovery of firearms and ammunition to the police immediately, you will not face any criminal prosecution.
Your safety and the safety of others has top priority when it comes to handling firearms that have been found!
Please therefore observe the following instructions:
- For safety reasons, always assume that the weapon you have in front of you is loaded and ready to fire and that a shot could be fired unintentionally.
- If you yourself do not have the necessary knowledge to check the loading status of the weapon with absolute certainty, leave the weapon untouched if possible. If you know someone who has the necessary weapons expertise (e.g. a hunter or sports shooter), ask them for assistance as soon as possible.
- Secure the location where the weapon was found and prevent third parties, especially children, from entering it.
If you find explosive ordnance, please contact the relevant public order office or the nearest police station.
Small firearms license:
Online application for a small firearms license
PDF application for a small firearms license
Please note, that the small firearms license only entitles you to carry alarm, irritant and signal weapons with PTB approval marks. The acquisition and possession of these weapons does not require a permit.
Further information on the small firearms license can be found here.