The number of privately owned firearms reported missing in Germany has nearly doubled in the past eight years. As of the end of 2025, a total of 47,335 firearms were registered as stolen or lost in the National Firearms Register, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
Rising Numbers of Missing Firearms
Four-fifths of these weapons – 38,277 – were reported as lost, whereas one-fifth – 9,058 – were reported as stolen. For comparison, at the beginning of 2018, the register listed 24,531 missing firearms, with 19,282 classified as lost and 5,249 as stolen.
Manuel Ostermann, Deputy Chairman of the German Police Union, described the number of stolen weapons as alarming. He stated that “ruthless criminals” are at work, breaking into private homes and cracking safes to steal firearms. He indicated that the stolen weapons likely end up on the black market.
Ostermann suggested that curbing this illegal trade requires more funding, greater authority, and more specialists within the police force.
In addition to the registered firearms, around 526,000 firearm parts were likewise registered as of the end of December.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proportion of missing firearms are reported as stolen?
One-fifth, or 9,058, of the 47,335 missing firearms registered as of the end of 2025 were reported as stolen.
How do the current numbers compare to those from 2018?
The number of missing firearms has nearly doubled, rising from 24,531 in early 2018 to 47,335 at the end of 2025.
What did Manuel Ostermann say about the situation?
Manuel Ostermann called the number of stolen weapons “alarming” and stated that “ruthless criminals” are responsible, likely selling the stolen weapons on the black market.
As authorities grapple with these rising numbers, will increased investment in law enforcement and firearm security be enough to stem the flow of missing weapons?
