In September 2024 (Bundestag Document 20/12805), the Federal Government of Germany, according to its own statements, aims to combat violent Islamism and right-wing extremism. However, the wording and proposed amendments to the Weapons Act are almost exclusively directed against law-abiding legal gun owners, such as hunters, sport shooters, and weapons collectors – as well as against many people who own and responsibly handle regular knives, for example:

Cyclists who carry a multitool as "on-board equipment"

Families who barbecue or picnic in a public park and use cooking or eating utensils

Fisherman, hikers, or mushroom collectors who carry a knife – especially if they use public transportation on their way to nature

Festival-goers who camp and need knives as self-sufficient individuals

Craftsmen who carry a utility knife as a daily tool

These and many other innocent citizens risk being criminalized when they use ordinary knives in public transport, at events, or in many other public places.

Let us be clear: These people are not terrorists! They are neither responsible for the horrific knife attacks of recent times nor for Islamist or extremist crimes.

The proposed tightening of the weapons law does not meet the security package's objectives. Instead, it disadvantages and harasses law-abiding citizens. The proposed regulations are completely unclear and confusing, with the exceptions being incomplete and vague. Terrorists will not be deterred from attacks by this. Needless bureaucracy – such as through extended reliability checks for legal gun owners – will continue to grow, further burdening already overstretched police and security authorities.

Ms. Faeser, stop the criminalization of innocent people in Germany and finally address the root of the problem! Effectively combat illegal gun ownership and extremism!

The petition was initiated by:

BZL – Federal Association of Civilian Legal Firearms e.V.

DJV – German Hunting Association e.V.

BDMP – Federation of Military and Police Marksmen e.V.

BHDS – Federation of Historical German Marksmen's Brotherhoods e.V.

BDS – Federation of German Sport Shooters 1975 e.V.

BVS – Federal Association of Shooting Ranges e.V.

JSM – Association of Manufacturers of Hunting, Sporting Weapons, and Ammunition