Berlin Aims for Tougher Gun Laws Through Bundesrat Initiative
Berlin, June 15 – The Berlin Senate is set to propose a federal legislative amendment to tighten gun laws, specifically targeting the prosecution of illegal firearm possession. The initiative, to be discussed by the Senate on Tuesday, seeks to reclassify unauthorized possession, carrying, trading, and manufacturing of firearms as a crime, rather than a misdemeanor.
State Secretary for Internal Affairs, Christian Hochgrebe (SPD), announced the proposal during a session of the Interior Committee. Hochgrebe highlighted the “high availability of weapons,” encompassing both sharp pistols and blank guns, as a significant concern. “It is necessary to qualify the purchase, possession, carrying, trading, and manufacturing of firearms without a permit as a crime,” he stated.
Enhanced Police Powers to Combat Organized Crime
Currently, such offenses are classified as misdemeanors. Elevating illegal gun possession to a criminal offense would significantly expand police investigative capabilities, allowing for measures such as wiretapping and surveillance of suspects. This would be crucial in tracing trade routes and tackling organized crime networks.
Hochgrebe emphasized the growing trend of criminals settling disputes with firearms, often in public spaces. “Criminals are increasingly carrying out their disputes with armed violence, even in public,” he noted, underscoring the importance of resolute action to pursue these acts and perpetrators, especially given their impact on public safety.
“Ferrum” Special Unit’s Successes and International Connections
The LKA’s special unit against gun crime, “Ferrum,” comprising over 100 police officers, has been active since autumn 2025. According to Hochgrebe, the unit has confiscated 44 sharp firearms and more than 600 rounds of ammunition, initiated 428 investigations, and arrested 36 suspects under warrant.
Investigations reveal that sharp pistols primarily originate from illegal arms factories in the Czech Republic and Turkey. Police President Barbara Slowik Meisel explained that approximately 50 percent of the discharged sharp shots are linked to extortion attempts against Turkish businessmen, perpetrated by organized gangs from Turkey operating in Central Europe.
In response, the Berlin police are collaborating with Europol and law enforcement agencies in Scandinavia, where gun violence and shootings have seen a “dramatic development” for years. Contact has also been established with the Turkish embassy.
Addressing Personal Conflicts and Clan-Related Incidents
The remaining 50 percent of shootings are attributed to personal conflicts, family disputes, so-called honor offenses, and isolated armed conflicts within clan environments. Slowik Meisel clarified that there is no evidence of a large-scale gang war between major criminal organizations.
Union Calls for Broader Investigative Powers
The Police Union (GdP) stated, “Berlin is like a magnifying glass for our entire country, which is gradually being flooded with firearms.” They highlighted the lucrative nature of illegal arms trade for organized crime with international gang structures, stressing the need for more extensive investigative powers. “The big problem in our country is not legal gun owners, but the gigantic availability of illegal firearms,” the GdP asserted.
This legislative push by Berlin aligns with a broader concern across Germany regarding the proliferation of illegal weapons and the need for more robust legal frameworks to address the issue effectively.
