With the amendments to the Weapons Act of 01.09.2020, the transitional periods for notifications and subsequent notifications for weapons, equivalent objects and essential weapon parts will expire on 31.08.2021.

From 01.09.2021, certain weapons, equivalent objects and weapon parts will be classified as weapons and objects requiring a permit and, in individual cases, as prohibited weapons and objects. This includes:

- Previously unrestricted weapon parts, such as housing parts and breechblocks

- Salute weapons

- Semi-automatic firearms that have a fixed magazine with a capacity of more than 10 cartridges for long firearms and more than 20 cartridges for handguns

- Arrow-firing devices similar to firearms, i.e. devices similar to an air rifle that can shoot arrows, not bows and arrows or crossbows

- Long gun magazines with more than 10 rounds capacity for centerfire ammunition

- Short-barrel magazines with a capacity of more than 20 rounds for centerfire ammunition

Owners of the above-mentioned items must now notify or register them with the weapons authority by no later than the deadline of 31.08.2021 using the documents shown opposite or, if applicable, transfer the items to an authorized person within the meaning of the Weapons Act. Failure to register or surrender and this being discovered during an inspection, for example, may result in criminal prosecution for the gun owner.

Author: Dennis Schneider