The German government has reported that over 1000 right-wing extremists and hundreds of so-called Reichsbürger individuals have permits to carry weapons legally. This number is lower than the previous year, but it is unclear if this decrease is due to changes in data collection methods. In 2022, 181 suspected right-wing extremists had their firearms permits revoked or voluntarily surrendered under pressure from authorities. These figures were revealed in response to a query from Left Party members and were published by the Bundestag. As of the end of 2022, there were a total of 1051 suspected right-wing extremists and around 400 Reichsbürger individuals with at least one firearms permit. Final figures for the previous year are still pending.
In the previous year, the government had reported 1561 right-wing extremists and around 500 Reichsbürger individuals with firearms permits. However, these numbers fluctuate due to continuous updates in the databases of intelligence agencies. Since the establishment of the “Reichsbürger” and “Self-Administrators” phenomenon area in November 2016, approximately 1125 firearms permits have been revoked. Reichsbürger individuals are those who do not recognize the Federal Republic and its democratic structures. The German intelligence service estimated that there were about 23,000 people in the Reichsbürger and Self-Administrator scene in 2022. Left Party member Martina Renner called for concrete action from authorities against armed Nazis and Reichsbürger individuals, expressing concern that the government is failing to advance necessary measures in firearms legislation.
In response to the growing presence of armed right-wing extremists and Reichsbürger individuals, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) proposed a draft to tighten gun laws in January of the previous year, following the New Year’s Eve riots and exposed coup plans by a Reichsbürger group. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) has so far rejected changes to gun laws and instead advocates for better enforcement of existing legislation. The issue of legal gun ownership by extremists and anti-government groups has raised concerns about public safety and the need for stricter regulations to prevent potential violence and threats posed by these individuals.
The presence of over 1000 right-wing extremists and Reichsbürger individuals with firearms permits in Germany has sparked calls for stronger measures from government authorities to address the issue. The growing concern about armed individuals with extremist ideologies highlights the need for effective enforcement of gun laws and preventive measures to ensure public safety. The government’s efforts to monitor and track individuals with extremist beliefs, such as Reichsbürger and Self-Administrators, are crucial in preventing potential threats and violence in society. The debate over gun control and the regulation of firearms ownership by individuals with extremist views remains a critical issue in Germany’s efforts to combat radicalization and domestic terrorism.
The revelation that there are over 1000 right-wing extremists and hundreds of Reichsbürger individuals legally carrying weapons in Germany has raised alarm among lawmakers and the public. The government’s response to the issue, including the revocation of firearms permits from suspected extremists, highlights the challenges in regulating gun ownership and preventing potential threats from radicalized individuals. The need for concrete actions by authorities, in collaboration with intelligence agencies, to address the presence of armed extremists in society is crucial for maintaining public safety and security. Efforts to strengthen gun control measures and monitor individuals with extremist beliefs are essential in countering the risks posed by violent ideologies and anti-government movements.
