Fachkunde für den Waffenhandel durch Prüfung nachweisen

As part of the licensing procedure for the commercial arms trade, you must provide evidence of the relevant specialist knowledge. To do this, you take a specialist knowledge test at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

The check is usually carried out by order of the authority to which you have applied for the firearms permit and cannot be applied for separately.

Depending on the scope of the trading permit you have applied for, the test covers certain categories of weapons.

In the theoretical part of the test, you must demonstrate knowledge of the regulations governing the trade in firearms and ammunition, the acquisition and carrying of firearms and the main features of other firearms regulations.

In the practical part of the examination, you must demonstrate safe handling of the tested categories of firearms. This includes, among other things, disassembling and assembling, naming essential parts anddescription of the mode of operation.

In order to successfully pass the specialist examination for the trade in weapons and ammunition, you need not only theoretical but also practical knowledge. Extensive preparation is therefore recommended.

If you have applied for a permit to trade in ammunition, you will be tested on the handling of common ammunition and its use in the associated firearm.

If you are registered as a master gunsmith, you already have this expertise and do not have to prove it again by taking an examination at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

• If applicable, notification from the authority responsible for the trading license that the examination is to take place

• Official photo ID for identification during the inspection

- As a rule, the authority to which you have applied for the firearms dealer's license must register or pre-register you for the examination

You can find out the fees from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) where you are taking the examination. They can be found in the fee schedule of the responsible state authority.

Normally, you apply for a license to trade in weapons and are then registered for examination via the responsible licensing authority. You can or must register yourself with some chambers of industry and commerce.

• As a rule, you will receive notification from the authority responsible for the trading permit that the examination is to take place
• Your registration will be confirmed by the IHK and you will receive an invitation to the examination date
• You take the examination on site at the IHK
• You will receive a certificate from the IHK confirming that you have successfully passed the examination

With the proof of specialist knowledge, you can continue the licensing procedure for the arms trade.

• Specialist examinations are held at irregular intervals, so the time between notification from the authorities and the examination may vary
• The certificate is usually available immediately or a few days after passing the oral part of the examination

The certificate of competence is valid indefinitely and nationwide.

• Detailed information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the notification of failure of the examination
• Administrative appeal

• In order to obtain a license to trade in firearms commercially, the relevant specialist knowledge must be demonstrated.
• Proof of specialist knowledge must be provided by passing an examination before a competent examination board at a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK)
• In order to conduct the examination, the authority responsible for the licensing procedure usually transmits the applicant's data to the IHK

You can find the Chamber of Industry and Commerce responsible for you here: IHK competence finder

• Forms: as a rule, you will receive all the necessary forms from the authority that issues the firearms trading license, in some cases also directly from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce
• Online procedure possible: no
• Written form requirement: no
• Personal appearance required: yes