The German Police Union (GdP) is issuing a stark warning ahead of New Year’s Eve, highlighting the escalating risk posed by the widespread availability of imitation firearms. Jochen Kopelke, Federal Chairman of the GdP, cautioned in an interview with “Focus” magazine that many of these devices are visually indistinguishable from genuine weapons, creating a significant potential for misidentification by both the public and law enforcement.
The primary concern centers on the risk of police officers reacting to what they perceive as an armed threat. Kopelke stated that officers could arrest individuals brandishing imitation firearms, potentially escalating the situation to the point of using lethal force. While such weapons are legally available to individuals over 18, their frequent misuse during New Year’s Eve celebrations consistently leads to violations of this regulation.
To mitigate the danger, the GdP is advocating for the introduction of a “Small Weapons License” currently required only for the “carrying” of firearms, to be extended to the purchase of imitation firearms. Without this measure, Kopelke warned that police will be “at the mercy” of illegal pyrotechnic activity and the use of imitation weapons throughout the night.
This call for stricter regulation finds support within the political sphere. Marcel Emmerich, the Green Party’s spokesperson for domestic policy in the Bundestag, echoed the GdP’s concerns, labeling the presence of millions of imitation firearms circulating within Germany as “security policy untenable”. He directly criticized the inaction of the Federal Interior Minister, accusing him of failing to adequately amend both the Explosives Act and the Weapons Act to address the problem. Emmerich’s remarks suggest a growing political pressure to re-evaluate existing firearm regulations and prioritize public safety amidst mounting concerns about potential misinterpretations and escalating conflicts during New Year’s Eve festivities. The issue has reignited a debate on the broader implications of readily accessible imitation weaponry and the responsibility of the government to ensure public security.