German Jewish leader deters racist attack with gun(Germany)

thestar.com ^ | 28 September, 2011 | Reuters

[marktwain]

BERLIN (Reuters) - A leading member of Germany's Jewish community had to point to a gun he was carrying to ward off a young man shouting anti-Semetic abuse, the latest in a string of racist incidents in Berlin that has shocked Jews and city authorities.

[marktwain]

Is it harder to obtain a permit to carry in Germany, or in New York City?

[pepsionice]

To get a permit in Germany to carry...you just about have to prove that you are a professional body-guard. There’s not much of any alternate method.

[cunning_fish]

Germany has a pro-gun culture for centuries. I think they had no ban even after Russians installed communust regime there.

[expat1000]

I'm not disputing you, but the article says "Kramer then pointed to a gun he is allowed to carry for his personal protection to deter the man from attacking him." so somehow he did have a permit.

[DemforBush]

I found some info about the permit/licensing process on wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Germany#Firearms_ownership_license

Looks they actually have a fair number of gun owners there - 4 million-plus.

[wolf78]

The Wikipedia article gives a good overview. Carry permits are VERY RARE in Germany. As pepsionice stated, professional bodyguards can have one, but that doesn't mean ordinary security personell (at trade shows etc.). Other than that you have to prove that you need a gun for personal protection. Examples might be certain celebrities, political, religious or industry leaders, but also AFAIK also jewellers etc.

Gun ownership is FAR (at least 100 times) more common. Hunting has a long tradition in Germany and Schuetzenvereine (marksmen clubs) are numerous (there are around 15.000) and popular.

[SJackson]

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