Legal Issues in Airsoft - Germany

Germany

Airsoft guns under 0.5 joule are considered toy guns and can be sold to all persons above three years of age. Distributors agreed to raise the limit to at least 14 years of age. This has been realized and the limit is thus 14 years. All airsoft guns between 0.5 joule and 7.5 joule must be bolt-action or semiautomatic only and can only be sold to people who are 18 years or older. These are considered "free" firearms. As a result, sales of guns of more than 0.5 joule are allowed only in firearms shops and guns must be marked with the trader's weapon abbreviation and a F-in-a-pentagon mark as well as the airsoft gun caliber (such as 6 mm BB). All airsoft guns with powers over 0.5 joule of energy, need to be semi-automatic only and carry the F-in-a-pentagon and associated markings to be legal in Germany, rendering all other Airsoft guns with more than 0.5 joule of energy illegal. Visitors or persons, who plan to move to Germany can obtain the required markings on existing Airsoft guns from one of the localized seven "Beschussamt" - authorities in Germany. There is a specific procedure for that, including the firearms prior to be converted to semi-auto (if necessary) and to be sent in from abroad only. There is no need for the end of the barrel to be painted in orange.

While the possession and trade of legal airsoft guns is generally and unrestrictedly allowed, the use of Airsoft guns in a game is (at least) hotly debated. That is why some players using guns with more than 0.5 joule muzzle energy leave Germany to play in countries like France, Belgium, Denmark, the Czech Republic or Austria. Players are allowed to carry and fire Airsoft guns on private property only, with specific measures in place to prevent Airsoft fire to leave the perimeter. There is a significantly growing number of privately owned or commercially operated Airsoft skirm sites in Germany (2010). It is strictly prohibited to carry or display Airsoft guns in public, although several exceptions may apply - e.g. film making or at police registered events. Legal Airsoft guns can be carried legally unloaded in locked containers such as a bag or a firearms case.

Target-illuminating devices and lasers must not be attached to guns, but are legal otherwise. For example, the possession of a flashlight is allowed, even shooting with the flashlight in one hand and the gun in the other, but attaching it via mount ring to the rail system of a gun is not. Devices made specifically for the purpose of being attached to a gun (like certain flashlights with integrated fore grip for mil-spec rail) are prohibited.

More information can be found at Airsoft FAQ on laws in Germany, which covers more complicated issues like the "Kleiner Waffenschein", issues with the OWiG §118 in Bavaria and a definition of the term "combat shooting."