Hamburg police

Apply for a red gun ownership card to collect weapons or ammunition

If you want to collect weapons or ammunition, you must apply for a permit from the responsible weapons authority.

Use Online-Service

e-weapon

Detailed description

The red firearms ownership card allows you to buy or own firearms or ammunition. If you want to collect weapons or ammunition for cultural, historical or scientific-technical reasons, you must apply for this card in advance.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You are at least 18 years old
    • If you are under 25 years of age, you may have to prove your suitability to own a firearm by undergoing a psychological assessment.
  • You have a reasonable reason for owning weapons, such as the cultural-historical or scientific-technical value of your collection
  • You are reliable in terms of firearms law (no previous convictions)
  • You have the personal suitability (no incapacity, mental illness or drug addiction)
  • You have knowledge of firearms regulations
  • You can safely handle weapons and ammunition
  • You have skills in shooting firearms (may not be required if you only collect weapons that do not fire)
  • You can ensure safe storage

Documents required

  • Identity card or passport (copy)
  • Proof of the cultural-historical value of your collection
  • Proof of expertise
  • Proof of storage, for example purchase contract for a gun safe and/or photos of the gun safe and its location
  • if applicable, a medical or psychological certificate confirming your mental suitability (if you are under 25 years of age)

Please note

If you move, it is not necessary to re-register your permit. Your existing gun license remains valid and no separate registration or update is required.

Deadlines

No

Procedure

  • You submit your application together with the required documents.
  • The responsible authority will examine your application.
  • The responsible authority will issue you the red firearms ownership card if you meet the necessary requirements.

Processing time

Up to several months

Fees

An administrative fee will be charged. The amount of the fee depends on the type and scope of your application.

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

§ 4 Weapons Act (WaffG)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/waffg_2002/__4.html


§ 17 Weapons Act (WaffG)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/waffg_2002/__17.html


§ 36 Weapons Act (WaffG)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/waffg_2002/__36.html


§ 13 General Weapons Act Ordinance (AWaffV)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/awaffv/__13.html


Fee schedule for official acts in the field of firearms law


(GebOWaffR)


https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-WaffRGebOHAV8Anlage/part/G

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Hamburg police

Mon 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tue 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thu 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Due to many telephone inquiries, we are sometimes difficult to reach by telephone.



All firearms and hunting law matters can also be handled in writing


to be edited. Applications as well as hunting and weapons law documents can be sent by post,


Email or by putting it in your home mailbox.



Due to the current situation, processing at the hunting and weapons authority may take several months.


We ask for your patience and will get back to you without being asked.

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Keywords: Collect weapons WBK

Last updated: 17.08.2026