Particle.news
Download on the App Store
8 ARTICLES
·
3w ago

Germany’s Extremists Hold at Least 2,500 Legal Firearms, Survey Finds

Data from eleven federal states shows right-wing groups hold more than two-thirds of these weapons, highlighting patchy reporting alongside enforcement gaps.

Image
Mehrere Schusswaffen auf einem Tisch.
Eine Kaliber 9 mm Pistole, Patronen und ein Magazin liegen auf einer Waffenbesitzkarte.

Overview

  • Eleven federal states reported extremist firearm holdings, with Baden-Württemberg accounting for the highest count at 661 weapons.
  • Right-wing factions, including Neonazis and Reichsbürger, possess 1,765 of the legally held firearms while Islamist, left-wing and other extremist groups own about 120.
  • Authorities revoked or received voluntary returns of over 300 firearm permits from extremists in 2024, but substantial holdings remain intact.
  • Five states did not disclose detailed data on extremist gun ownership, suggesting the actual number of weapons could be higher.
  • Implementation of the 2022 Aktionsplan gegen Rechtsextremismus has made limited progress on stripping weapons from extremist permit holders despite legal amendments in 2024.