Fixed shooting range - apply for a licence to operate
If you wish to operate a fixed facility that is used for shooting sports or other shooting exercises with firearms, the testing of firearms or shooting with firearms for amusement (shooting range), or wish to significantly change its nature or the way it is used, you require a licence from the competent weapons authority.
No licence is required for shooting ranges where shooting takes place in closed rooms exclusively for the purpose of testing firearms or ammunition by firearms or ammunition manufacturers, by firearms or ammunition experts or by scientific institutions.
Responsible authority
the district police authorities
Depending on where you live, the district police authority is
- the district administration,
- the municipal administration (in urban districts and large district towns) or
- the administrative community
Contact
Details
Prerequisite
The licence may only be issued if the applicant
- has the necessary reliability and
- personal suitability and
- provides proof of liability insurance for damages resulting from the operation of the shooting range in the amount of at least EUR 1 million - lump sum for personal injury and property damage - as well as accident insurance for damages resulting from the operation of the shooting range for persons involved in the organisation of the shooting operation in the amount of at least EUR 10,000 in the event of death and EUR 100,000 in the event of disability with an insurance company authorised to do business within the scope of this law.
- provides evidence of a licence under building law and immission control law for the construction of the shooting range
Procedure
The application for the licencelicence must be submitted by the shooting range operator to the firearms authority responsible for the location of the shooting range.
Deadlines
Authorisation must be applied for before use is commenced.
Required documents
- Identity card or passport (copy)
- Proof of expertise
- Proof of the existence of liability insurance for damages resulting from the operation of the shooting range in the amount of at least EUR 1,000,000.00 - lump sum for personal injury and property damage
- Proof of the existence of accident insurance for injuries to persons involved in the organisation of the shooting range resulting from the operation of the shooting range in the amount of at least EUR 10,000.00 in the event of death and EUR 100,000.00 in the event of disability
- further documents, if applicable
Costs
The amount of the fees depends on the municipal fee regulations. Please enquire with the responsible authority.
Miscellaneous
Shooting ranges must be inspected by the competent authority with the assistance of a recognised shooting range expert before they are put into operation for the first time and in the event of significant changes to their condition with regard to safety requirements. Shooting ranges on which firearms subject to authorisation are used must also be inspected by the competent authority every four years. If shooting on a shooting range is only permitted with unauthorised firearms, the interval between inspections shall not exceed six years. The costs of calling in a recognised shooting range expert for the inspections shall be borne by the operator of the shooting range.
Legal basis
Waffengesetz (WaffG):
- § 27 Schießstätten, Schießen durch Minderjährige auf Schießstätten
- § 27a Sicherheitstechnische Prüfung von Schießstätten; Verordnungsermächtigung
Release note
Machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 19.02.2026