🔶 Increase in the number of extremists with gun permits in Germany

Despite the tightening of laws related to gun ownership in Germany, the number of people identified by security authorities as extremist—and who still hold a legal permit to carry or possess a firearm—has increased.

Two years ago, the previous German government tightened firearms laws so that the responsible bodies could more easily revoke extremist individuals’ permits or prevent them from being issued. However, the results of research by North German Television (NDR) show that the number of firearms license holders among these individuals has not only not decreased, but has increased.

Based on information provided to the NDR network by the ministries of the states of Germany, by the end of 2025 more than 1,600 people classified as extremist have held legal permits related to firearms.