NRW Security Small weapons licenses in demand
Düsseldorf · There has been tremendous growth in the number of people applying for a ‘small weapons license’ in NRW. Weapons dealers say their customers feel vulnerable.
Applications for a ‘small weapons license’ have increased significantly in the state of North Rhine Westphalia (NRW). At the end of June 2016, there were 104,000 small weapons in the National Weapons Registry - this is an increase of 36,000 over the previous year. The license allows an owner to use a non-lethal gas pistol or a starting gun.
On Monday, NRW Interior Minister Ralf Jäger advised people against arming themselves with such weapons but a German weapons’ dealer association reports a continued trend towards private arms and other self-defense devices. Not all licenses are for new weapons owners, however, some have been issued to persons who already have weapons and want to be able to use them outside their own four walls.
Weapons dealers say their customers feel vulnerable after the mass attacks in Cologne on New Year’s Eve. In all of Germany, around 400,000 people have a ‘small weapons license’. In mid-2015, that number was 270,000. Interior expert Marc Lürbke said, “The fact that more people want to protect themselves is an alarm signal.”
Jäger said more police were needed on the streets and the Interior Ministry warned people to stay away from the small weapons; they provided people with a false sense of security and could cause serious injuries. In an emergency situation, people were best advised to call out for attention and contact police. As well, the non-lethal weapons look very real and it is difficult for police to know if the weapon is loaded with live ammunition. (Orig. text: Matthias Korfmann)
