Surge in Weapon Licenses Among Far-Right Extremists and Sovereigns in Germany
As of the end of 2023, an alarming number of far-right extremists and sovereign citizens in Germany possessed weapon licenses, according to a recent report by RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND). The report, citing a response from the German Federal Ministry of the Interior to a parliamentary inquiry, highlights the growing threat posed by these groups.
Significant Possession of Weapons
The ministry’s figures indicate that 1,039 far-right extremists and 393 sovereigns and self-administrators had weapon licenses on December 31, 2023. Additionally, 37 individuals categorized as "delegitimizers of the state relevant to the protection of the constitution" also held such licenses.
The National Weapons Register recorded an equally concerning number of firearms registered to these groups. As of the same date, 2,212 licensable firearms were registered to far-right extremists, 1,606 to sovereign citizens, and 116 to individuals involved in delegitimizing the state.
Persistent Threat
Martina Renner, a member of the Bundestag from the Left Party, expressed alarm over the findings, emphasizing that the arming of the far-right and sovereign citizen scenes remains a significant concern.
"In 2023 alone, around 1,500 members of these scenes possessed almost 4,000 licensable weapons," Renner said. "The real numbers are likely much higher."
Renner criticized the government’s slow progress in disarming these groups, describing it as "taking place in tiny steps."
"Those who want to overthrow the democratic constitutional state should not be allowed to carry weapons," she warned.
Understanding Sovereign Citizens
Sovereign citizens are individuals who reject the authority of the Federal Republic of Germany and its democratic structures. They adhere to a set of beliefs that equate to a separate, fictitious legal system.
Since the 2016 killing of a police officer by a sovereign citizen, German authorities have intensified their efforts to disarm members of this scene. However, the recent figures indicate that significant work remains to be done.
Call for Action
Experts and politicians alike are urging the government to take more decisive action to address the threat posed by these extremist groups. They emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach that includes stricter gun laws, enhanced intelligence gathering, and targeted prevention programs.
The persistence of weapon licenses among far-right extremists and sovereign citizens poses a grave risk to public safety and the stability of German democracy. The government must prioritize the disarmament of these groups and implement measures to prevent them from obtaining weapons in the future.
