Germany: Difference between revisions

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


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


=== Firearms ===
=== Firearm Law ===
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>.
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]