Record numbers of citizens in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, now hold a “Kleiner Waffenschein” (Small Weapons Permit), according to figures released by the state’s Criminal Police Office. As of the end of June 2025, 237,818 such permits were registered across the state, marking a significant increase of over 15,000 in a single year.
The Kleiner Waffenschein authorizes individuals to carry blank firing, irritant gas and signal weapons in public.
State Interior Minister Herbert Reul of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has expressed concerns regarding the rising permit numbers. He emphasized the state’s monopoly on the use of force, stating, “We maintain public safety through the police. There’s no need for anyone to carry a weapon on their belt; NRW is not the Wild West. We don’t want American conditions where weapons become commonplace”. Reul underscored that holding a Kleiner Waffenschein signifies a serious responsibility.
Patrick Schlüter, the soon-to-be chairman of the Police Union (GdP) in NRW, attributes the increase to a perceived decline in the public’s sense of security. He warned of potential risks, noting that blank-firing weapons can be difficult to distinguish from real firearms, even for law enforcement officers. He cautioned that individuals carrying such weapons should anticipate a response from security forces.
