Berlin – A growing number of Germans report feeling unsafe, a sentiment echoed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Speaking at the BKA, Merz stated that “increasingly more people” feel “insecure in their everyday lives, in their homes.” This unease is prompting a rise in self-defense measures, including increased firearm ownership.
Chancellor Merz previously sparked a national security debate with his “cityscape” thesis, which highlighted public safety concerns. An INSA poll conducted in 2025 revealed that 50 percent of Germans fear becoming victims of violence or robbery in public.
This insecurity is manifesting in a surge in legal firearm purchases. A key indicator is the “small weapon permit,” which allows individuals to carry stun guns in public. While not mandatory, the permit is increasingly sought after. Without a permit, these weapons can only be used at home or at official shooting ranges.
Precise sales figures are difficult to obtain. Umarex, the world market leader in free weapons with a 2023 revenue of 226.8 million euros, declined to comment on sales data.
10 Million Gas Pistols in Circulation
The Association of German Gunsmiths (VDB) estimated the number of gas pistols in Germany at 10 million as of March 2024, and believes that number is likely higher today. These weapons, often referred to as “gas pistols,” are available for purchase by individuals 18 years of age and older.
Sales of crossbows are also experiencing a cyclical boom. A wholesaler reported that crossbow sales have increased alongside periods of refugee crises, correlating with media coverage. Slingshots are also in demand.
Other readily available weapons, such as pepper spray, animal repellent spray, and knives, are also popular. A consumer survey conducted in September 2024 by Media Control for the VDB found that 16 percent of respondents owned pepper spray, 6 percent owned animal repellent spray, and 5 percent owned a knife. 5 percent of those surveyed plan to purchase a gas pistol and apply for a “small weapon permit.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Chancellor Merz say about safety in Germany?
Chancellor Merz stated that “increasingly more people” in Germany feel “insecure in their everyday lives, in their homes.”
How has the number of “small weapon permits” changed?
The number of “small weapon permits” has more than tripled, rising from 285,911 in 2015 to 906,411 in 2025.
What factors have contributed to the increase in firearm-related purchases?
The Association of German Gunsmiths (VDB) attributes the increase in “small weapon permits” to events such as the Islamist terrorist attacks in Paris (November 2015), violent attacks on women in Cologne on New Year’s Eve 2015/2016, and the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
As these trends continue, will the German government address the underlying anxieties driving this increase in self-defense measures?
