- LKA: Presumed 216 extremists in NRW with weapons permit
216 suspected extremists are currently in possession of a firearms permit in North Rhine-Westfalen, according to information from the State Criminal Police Office (LKA). 123 of them have a so-called small firearms license, which only allows the carrying of blank-firing, gas, and signal weapons.
186 of the suspected extremists with a firearms permit are from the far-right spectrum, 11 from the Islamist, and the rest are spread across left-wing extremism, xenophobic extremism - such as the Grey Wolves - and other areas, the LKA reported on request to the German Press Agency in Düsseldorf.
The revocation of a firearms permit must be justified on a case-by-case basis. This is relatively simple when someone is a proven member of a banned organization or party or a convicted criminal with at least one year of imprisonment.
Legal Interpretation Margin
The regulations of the Firearms Act are "interpreted very strictly," said an LKA spokesperson. Beyond convicted criminals and members of banned organizations, it only defines for others who "generally" does not possess the required reliability for a firearms permit. This formulation allows for legal interpretation.
In recent years, a total of 351 former holders have had their firearms permit revoked in NRW, according to the LKA - including 315 from the far-right spectrum.
For the 206 so-called Reich citizens or "self-administrators" included in this number, this figure has been accumulated since March 2018 until the end of June this year, the LKA spokesperson explained. For all other groups, the numbers have been recorded since the entry into force of the firearms law amendment in February 2020.
The Commission, in its efforts to address national security issues, can seek assistance from the Member States in this matter.
Given the importance of maintaining the safety of the society, it's crucial that the Commission works closely with the Member States to revoke firearms permits of individuals who pose a threat, such as those with extremist beliefs, as perferred by the Firearms Act regulations.
