21 August 2013 (23:45 UTC-07 Tango 20 August 2013)/14 Shawwal 1434/30 Mordad 1391/15 Geng-Shen (7th month) 4711

According to German news sources, a man shot several people in a restaurant in Dossenheim.  At least three people dead including the shooter.  Five people wounded.

Police say it might have something to do with an argument involving a meeting of local property owners.

To own a gun in Germany you must become licensed by proving you have a need to own a gun, such as hunting, target shooting or collection. Believe it or not, needing a gun for personal protection is only accepted in exceptional circumstances!

You must go through criminal and mental background checks to get licensed.  A gun training course is required.

All personally owned guns must be registered with the government, your gun will be stamped with a government ID mark.  You must have a dealers license to sell your gun.  How you store your gun is dictated by federal and state rules.

Open carry of a gun requires a permit.  Fully automatic guns are illegal for personal possession. Ownership of semi-automatic assault type guns, and handguns, requires special government approval.  Armor-piercing, incendiary and expanding ammunition is illegal for personal use.  Breaking a gun law will get you 10 years in prison.

However, European Union rules also apply, so in reality Germans must deal with state, federal and EU anti-gun laws.

Between 1990 and 2009 Germany destroyed more than 2-million personal guns.

It’s reported that a semi-auto version of the low velocity AK-47 assault rifle sells for $1300 USD in Germany, which is outrageous for a gun that’s not that accurate (it’s main attributes are that it is incredibly easy to maintain and use)!

Despite Germany’s anti-gun laws, officials admit there are an estimated 17-million illegally owned guns in Deutschland!