Weapons trading licence
Service description
The licence to trade in firearms or ammunition on a commercial basis or independently as part of a commercial enterprise must be applied for from the weapons authority responsible for the place of business. It can be restricted to certain types of firearms and ammunition. The arms trade may also include lending, auctioning, renting, pledging, storing or transporting.
The licence is only issued for a natural person (sole proprietorship). In the case of legal entities, the responsible managing director or the individual personally liable partners each require a licence.
If the firearms trade is to be operated by a deputy or if a person is appointed to manage a branch office or a dependent branch office, a deputy licence must be applied for.
The licence expires if the activity is not commenced within one year of the licence being granted or has not been exercised for one year. The time limits may be extended for special reasons.
Procedure
You must apply in writing for a firearms trading licence. The application must be submitted together with the required documents to the weapons authority responsible for the place of business.
If you need a deputy during your absence, you must apply for a deputy authorisation for this person.
As a rule, the applicant and the designated representative must appear in person.
Prerequisites
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You have the necessary reliability.
The required reliability requires above all that you do not have a criminal record. - You have the personal aptitude.
For example, people who are suspected to be legally incompetent, addicted to alcohol or mentally ill do not have the required personal suitability. - You have the necessary specialised knowledge.
You can obtain the necessary proof of specialised knowledge of the most important firearms and firearms regulations, the type, construction and handling of common firearms and ammunition by passing an examination. You are deemed to have the necessary expertise if you fulfil the requirements for registration of a gunsmith's business in the Register of Craftsmen. - They prove the need for the issue of a firearms trading licence.
- You wish to trade in weapons commercially or independently as part of a commercial enterprise.
Substitutes must fulfil the same requirements as you.
Which documents are required?
- Identity card or passport
- Proof of expertise (for persons who manage the business, a branch or a dependent branch office themselves)
- Business registration
- Non-EU citizens: a residence permit that authorises the holder to pursue self-employed gainful employment
- Proof of need for the issue of a firearms trading licence
- Companies entered in the commercial register: Extract from the commercial register
- Proof of the safe storage of the weapons and ammunition by means of corresponding certificates or technical safety reports
What fees are incurred?
according to time spent plus at least EUR 22 surcharge or according to time spent if a reliability and suitability check is to be carried out
Legal basis
Short text
- Authorisation for commercial arms trading Issue
- Companies that buy and sell firearms or ammunition require a firearms trading licence
- Requirements: reliable, personally suitable and specialised knowledge
- Authorisation can be restricted to certain types of firearms and ammunition
- A deputy requires a deputy authorisation
- Responsible: the weapons authority responsible for the location of your business premises in the district administration or in the administration of the district-free city
Typing
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