The Weapons Act (WaffG) regulates the handling of weapons and ammunition in the Federal Republic of Germany. As a special statutory security law, it serves to protect public safety and order and is intended to help minimize or exclude dangers that may arise from the handling of weapons.
The aim is therefore in particular to regulate the private acquisition and possession of weapons and to prevent the illegal trade in and possession of weapons. The General Weapons Act Ordinance (AWaffV) supplements these regulations as a further legal basis. Furthermore, the weapons authorities are required to ensure uniform enforcement of the Weapons Act by the General Administrative Regulation on the Weapons Act (WaffVwV).
The Kleve district police authority offers various services in matters relating to weapons law. Here you will find information on applications and notifications, information sheets and answers to frequently asked questions.
Exception for transporting weapons during hunter education
Declaration on the safe storage of weapons and ammunition
Applying for a permit under the Weapons Act
Getting a European firearms pass
Report the acquisition of a firearm subject to authorization
Report co-authorization in a firearms possession card
Report the transfer of a firearm subject to authorization
Apply for the renewal of a European firearms pass
Report the loss of weapons, ammunition and authorization documents
Declaration on the safe storage of weapons and ammunition
Apply for a permit under the Weapons Act
Apply for a European firearms pass
Report the acquisition of a firearm subject to authorization
Report the transfer of a firearm subject to authorization
Apply for the renewal of a European firearms pass
Report the loss of weapons, ammunition and authorization documents
Declaration on the safe storage of weapons and ammunition
Apply for permission to carry weapons at public events to promote customs
Applying for a European firearms pass
Reporting the acquisition of a weapon subject to authorization
Reporting the transfer of a weapon subject to authorization
Apply for renewal of a European firearms pass
Report loss of weapons, ammunition and permit documents
Apply for a gun ownership card for shooting or hunting associations (Vereins-WBK)
Do you have a question on a firearms law topic?
Here you will find a compilation of answers to frequently asked questions.
What is an "NWR identification number / NWR ID" and where can I obtain one?
Pursuant to Section 37 of the Weapons Act (WaffG), holders of a firearms manufacturing or trading license are obliged to electronically report the purchase, transfer or conversion of finished firearms that require a permit.
When you buy, sell or repair a weapon, you therefore need so-called NWR identification numbers (NWR IDs):
- Your personal NWR ID (P or F NWR ID) for your personal details
- The permit NWR ID for the firearms license (E NWR ID)
- The weapon or weapon part NWR ID (W or T NWR ID).
Further information on NWR IDs can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Administration.
You can obtain the NWR-IDs on request from the relevant weapons authority.
You can request your NWR-IDs free of charge 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.
Where can I apply for a firearms permit?
You can apply for a firearms permit in writing or electronically at the firearms authority responsible for your place of residence. In the Kleve district, the Kleve district police authority is the competent weapons authority.
Please send your application documents by post to the following address:
Kreispolizeibehörde Kleve
Direktion Zentrale Aufgaben
-Waffenbehörde-
Kanalstraße 7
47533 Kleve
or by email to waffenwesen.kleve [at] polizei.nrw.de (waffenwesen[dot]kleve[at]polizei[dot]nrw[dot]de)
Alternatively, you can also hand in or post the documents in person at Kleve police station, Kanalstraße 7 in 47533 Kleve.
Do I have to appear in person at the weapons authority? In principle, you do not have to appear in person.
However, the weapons authority may request the personal appearance of the applicant or permit holder in justified individual cases in order to investigate the facts of the case. A justified individual case exists in particular if facts give rise to doubts about reliability or personal suitability. Indications of this may arise, for example, from correspondence or telephone calls between the applicant or permit holder and the weapons authority or from generally accessible sources (Section 4 (5) of the Weapons Act).
When can I appear in person at the weapons authority?
A personal visit is possible during office hours
Monday and Tuesday: 08:30 - 12:30
Thursday: 14:00 - 16:00
or by appointment with the responsible clerk.
Please note that due to the legally required background check, it is generally not possible to process your weapons-related concerns immediately and conclusively.
In most cases, matters relating to firearms law can also be clarified by telephone, email or in writing.
Is there a charge for applying for a firearms permit?
The processing of applications in accordance with the Weapons Act is subject to a charge. The obligation to pay costs arises as soon as the application is received by the Kleve district police authority. The administrative fee to be charged for official acts under the Weapons Act is based on the NRW General Administrative Fee Schedule, tariff item 2.
How long is the processing time?
The duration of the processing time depends on your weapons law request and the circumstances of the individual case.
Removals from weapons possession cards can usually be completed in a few days. The issuing of a firearms permit (e.g. a small firearms license or a firearms possession card) takes longer due to the legally required background check.
Please refrain from asking about the processing status, as this only prolongs the processing time.
What do I have to do if I have found a weapon or ammunition?
If you have found firearms and ammunition - e.g. as part of a house clearance, a move or as a result of an inheritance - please inform the weapons authority immediately. Outside regular office hours and at weekends, please contact the closest police station.
If you report the discovery of firearms and ammunition to the police immediately, you will not be prosecuted. When it comes to handling found firearms, your safety and the safety of others has top priority!
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 do not have the necessary knowledge to check the loading status of the weapon with absolute certainty, leave the weapon untouched. If you know someone who has the necessary firearms expertise (e.g. a hunter or a sports shooter), ask them for assistance.
- Secure the site and prevent third parties, especially children, from entering it.
If explosive ordnance is found, please contact the responsible public order office or the nearest police station.
Will the storage of firearms and ammunition be checked by the police?
Anyone 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 constitute grounds for unreliability under firearms law and result in the revocation of your firearms license.
Even a one-time violation of the storage regulations may lead to a 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 also a concrete risk of loss or unauthorized access to firearms and ammunition by third parties, it is even a criminal offence. In this case, the weapons authority will decide on the spot whether the items such as weapons or ammunition will be seized on site. Criminal proceedings will also be initiated against you.
Where can I renew my hunting license?
The
Kreisverwaltung Kleve
Untere Jagdbehörde
Nassauerallee 15 -23
47533 Kleve
is responsible for issuing and renewing hunting licenses.
The Kleve district police authority cannot provide any information on hunting matters.