Germany: Difference between revisions

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* [[Harder Digital]]
* [[Harder Digital]]
== Retailers ==
* [[NightTec]]
* IEA Mil-Optics GmbH


== Laws ==
== Laws ==
Generally, image intensifiers and thermal devices are completely unregulated and free to trade, own and use.
Generally, image intensifiers and thermal devices are completely unregulated and free to trade, own and use.


=== Firearms ===
Export to non-EU countries falls under the EU dual use regulations.
The only exception is found in the German firearm law, as certain firearm-mounted equipment is prohibited by the ''Waffengesetz'' § 2.3<ref>https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/waffg_2002/__2.html</ref> & annex 2<ref>https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/waffg_2002/anlage_2.html</ref><ref>https://www.bka.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/UnsereAufgaben/Aufgabenbereiche/Waffen/MerkblattNachtsichtvor_aufsatzgeraete.pdf</ref>.
 
=== Firearm Law ===
Certain firearm-mounted equipment is prohibited by the ''Waffengesetz'' § 2.3<ref>https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/waffg_2002/__2.html</ref> & annex 2<ref>https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/waffg_2002/anlage_2.html</ref><ref>https://www.bka.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/UnsereAufgaben/Aufgabenbereiche/Waffen/MerkblattNachtsichtvor_aufsatzgeraete.pdf</ref>.


According to annex 2 nr. 1.2.4.2 gun-mounted night vision attachments & sights are prohibited if they include an electronic image converter or an image intensifier.
According to annex 2 nr. 1.2.4.2 gun-mounted night vision attachments & sights are prohibited if they include an electronic image converter or an image intensifier.


''Note'':
According to annex 2 nr. 1.2.4.1 gun-mounted devices that illuminate the target (e.g. flashlights) or mark the target (e.g. lasers) are also prohibited.


=== Notes ===
* Image converters include infrared and thermal.
* Image converters include infrared and thermal.
* Naturally, attaching regular night vision devices to the gun (e.g. duct taping) is also prohibited.
* This includes illuminators in the non-visual spectrum.
* Allthough cameras are image converters to an extent they don't seem to strictly fall under this category.
* Naturally, attaching regular night vision devices, flashlights or laser pointers to a firearm (e.g. duct taping) is also prohibited.
* Recently, hunting became exempt from this rule, with ownership & usage of night vision attachments and sights becoming legal for bearers of a hunting license for the sole purpose of hunting. This change might not have been implemented yet in the laws of the different federal states.
* Allthough cameras are technically image converters there is no known case of legal issues from mounting a camera to a firearm for the sole purpose of recording.
 
* Although universal adapters aren't strictly prohibited, there have been alleged cases where the combination of a universal adapter "next to" a compatible flashlight or night vision device have been interpreted as illegal attachment.
According to annex 2 nr. 1.2.4.1 gun-mounted devices that illuminate the target (e.g. flashlights) or mark the target (e.g. lasers) are prohibited.
* Recently, ownership & usage of night vision attachments and sights became legal for bearers of a hunting license for the sole purpose of hunting. This change might not have been implemented yet in the laws of the different federal states.
 
''Note'':
 
* This includes light in the non-visual spectrum.
* Naturally, attaching regular flashlights or laser pointers to the gun (e.g. duct taping) is also prohibited.
* Allthough universal adapters aren't strictly prohibited, there have been alleged cases where the combination of a universal adapter "next to" a compatible flashlight have been interpreted as illegal attachment.


== Military ==
== Military ==

Latest revision as of 11:06, 6 September 2022

This page details all information about night vision specific to Germany.

Manufacturers[edit | edit source]

Retailers[edit | edit source]

Laws[edit | edit source]

Generally, image intensifiers and thermal devices are completely unregulated and free to trade, own and use.

Export to non-EU countries falls under the EU dual use regulations.

Firearm Law[edit | edit source]

Certain firearm-mounted equipment is prohibited by the Waffengesetz § 2.3[1] & annex 2[2][3].

According to annex 2 nr. 1.2.4.2 gun-mounted night vision attachments & sights are prohibited if they include an electronic image converter or an image intensifier.

According to annex 2 nr. 1.2.4.1 gun-mounted devices that illuminate the target (e.g. flashlights) or mark the target (e.g. lasers) are also prohibited.

Notes[edit | edit source]

  • Image converters include infrared and thermal.
  • This includes illuminators in the non-visual spectrum.
  • Naturally, attaching regular night vision devices, flashlights or laser pointers to a firearm (e.g. duct taping) is also prohibited.
  • Allthough cameras are technically image converters there is no known case of legal issues from mounting a camera to a firearm for the sole purpose of recording.
  • Although universal adapters aren't strictly prohibited, there have been alleged cases where the combination of a universal adapter "next to" a compatible flashlight or night vision device have been interpreted as illegal attachment.
  • Recently, ownership & usage of night vision attachments and sights became legal for bearers of a hunting license for the sole purpose of hunting. This change might not have been implemented yet in the laws of the different federal states.

Military[edit | edit source]

The German armed forces mostly use Gen. 2 night vision monoculars and binoculars.

German special forces, like the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), have been seen using the American GPNVG-18.

References[edit | edit source]