[wolf78]

Are citizens allowed to own firearms in Germany?

For hunting (which, depending on the region, is quite popular) or as a sport, of course. There are many "Schuetzenvereine", even a girl I went to school with spent much of her spare time at the shooting range back then.

Guns need to be registered, however, and if you are not a hunter or a member of a club and just want to own a gun for "personal protection", a licenses is seldom granted (there are exceptions).

But then again, there's always a "black market". I mean, cocaine is also illegal in the US, but you still can get plenty.

[wku man]

But, but, but...I thought that registration would end gun violence! You mean it doesn't? Well goodness gracious, we'd better just ban all those evil guns and make good and doggone sure the world is a safe place for everyone, doncha know? I mean, we all know that if it weren't for guns, there'd never be any killing anywhere, right?

whiny, liberal-sounding sarcasm off

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!