German Hunting Association Calls for Stronger Federal Action Against Illegal Firearms
German Hunting Association calls for a clearer distinction in firearm crime statistics and more undercover efforts against illegal weapons.
03.08.2026 – 01:00
Osnabrück (ots)
German Hunting Association Calls for Stronger Federal Action Against Illegal Firearms
President Dammann-Tamke: More Undercover Investigators and Detailed Statistics Needed
In light of the ongoing review and reassessment of firearm laws by the German government, the German Hunting Association (DJV) is advocating for a clearer distinction in crime statistics between legal and illegal firearms. "We urgently need a nationwide statistic that differentiates whether a crime was committed with a legal or an illegal weapon," stated DJV President Helmut Dammann-Tamke in an interview with the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" (noz). An analysis from North Rhine-Westphalia revealed that hunters are involved in only 0.01 percent of weapon-related offenses.
Dammann-Tamke criticized the political response to serious crimes over recent years, which has often resulted in hastily implemented firearm law restrictions. He described these measures as a "completely misguided focus," particularly pointing out proposals to limit the number of long guns for hunters as mere "placebo" solutions. Instead, he emphasized that lawmakers should direct their attention to the estimated 20 million illegal firearms circulating in Germany. "We need more undercover investigators and specialized task forces to eliminate the illegal black market, rather than burdening law-abiding citizens with bureaucratic obstacles," he asserted.
The DJV President highlighted a stark example, noting that the six-time murderer from Stade had purchased his semi-automatic weapon along with ammunition for 4,000 euros on the black market in Berlin. He expressed concern that acquiring such weapons remains alarmingly easy in Germany.
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Original-Content von: Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung, übermittelt durch news aktuell
