As is known, the handling of weapons in Germany is strictly regulated by legislation represented by «Criminal Code» (Strafgesetzbuch, StGB) and the «Weapons Act» (Waffengesetz, WaffG). Any deviation from the established norms entails legal liability, which may take the form of criminal or administrative offenses.

In recent years there has been a sustained trend in Berlin toward an increase in crimes involving firearms. Thus, in 2025 there were 1,119 such cases recorded, which represents 68% of the total number of criminal acts. By the end of February this year alone the special unit «Ferrum» (lat. «iron», created in Berlin in November 2025) of the State Office of Criminal Investigation (Landeskriminalamt, LKA) initiated 260 criminal proceedings, obtained 13 arrest warrants and seized 78 dangerous types of weapons, including 18 combat units ready for immediate use. The activities of «Ferrum» are focused on combating the illegal arms trade, criminal gangs and organized crime.

At the same time, law enforcement structures are recording in practice an increase in the availability of illegal weapons, in particular semi-automatic pistols.

FOR REFERENCE

Semi-automatic short-barreled firearms include pistols in which part of the reloading process and preparation for the next shot is carried out by the energy of the propellant gases or by recoil. A synonym for the term «semi-automatic» is the word «self-loading».  

A feature of such weapons is a short barrel, which makes them convenient for carrying in a pocket and allows firing with either one or two hands. This distinguishes them from long-barreled weapons (for example, rifles or shotguns), which typically require firing with two hands with the stock braced against the shoulder. 

Taking into account the clearly adverse development of the situation in this area, the Berlin Senate approved amendments to the current federal law WaffG. They were jointly presented in a recommendatory capacity by senators Felor Badenberg (Felor Badenberg, Senatsverwaltung für Justiz und Verbraucherschutz, the Senate Administration for Justice and Consumer Protection) and Iris Spranger (Iris Spranger, Senatsverwaltung für Inneres und Sport, the Senate Administration for Interior Affairs and Sport). 

Shortly these legislative changes, approved by the executive branch of the federal state of Berlin, will be sent to the Bundesrat (Bundesrat, the federal legislative body composed of representatives of the executive authorities of the Länder) for further consideration, approval or rejection.  

The amendments to WaffG initiated by Berlin unambiguously define the illegal handling of semi-automatic short-barreled weapons as «criminally punishable», equating their use with serious crimes, as opposed to the current classification as an «ordinary offense». Thus, it is intended to duly take into account the particular danger of this type of weapon and the high degree of unlawfulness of its use.

Moreover, it is envisaged to expand the powers of law enforcement authorities. Among other measures, it would permit the monitoring of telephone conversations when there is suspicion of illegal possession of semi-automatic pistols, which, according to the authors of the amendments, will allow more effective detection of weapons caches and the suppression of criminal group activities.  

In this context, representatives of the leadership of the Berlin Police Union (Gewerkschaft der Polizei Berlin, GdP) reasonably believe: «The main problem in our federal state is not the presence of lawful firearm owners, but its gigantic unlawful availability».