The handling of weapons in the Federal Republic of Germany is regulated by the Weapons Act, which was given its current structure by the Act on the Revision of Weapons Law of 11.10.2002 and replaced the previous Weapons Act from 1976. As a special law on averting danger, it serves to protect public safety and order and is intended to help minimize or exclude dangers that may arise from the use of weapons.
The aim is therefore in particular to regulate the private acquisition and possession of weapons and to prevent the illegal trade in and possession of weapons. The General Weapons Act Ordinance (AWaffV) supplements these regulations as a further legal basis. Furthermore, the weapons authorities are required to enforce the Weapons Act uniformly through the General Administrative Regulation on the Weapons Act (WaffVwV).
You can find more information on the Internet at Polizei NRW.