Germany maintains one of the world’s most comprehensive regulatory frameworks governing firearm ownership. Access is restricted to clearly defined groups, primarily licensed hunters and sport shooters, who must undergo rigorous training, certification, and ongoing oversight. This creates a distinctive context in which firearms exist predominantly within sporting and hunting domains.

North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany’s most populous federal state with over 18 million residents, serves as the focal point for this research. Situated in western Germany, the region is internationally recognized for cultural landmarks such as Cologne Cathedral and industrial heritage sites including the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex. Known as the heartland of German industry, particularly steel and chemicals, NRW also possesses Europe’s highest concentration of universities and research institutions. NRW is home to Germany’s largest hunting community and numerous organized firearm-related associations.

The German case study is covered by Emma van Heeswijk (PhD Candidate), who grew up in Cologne, spending her childhood rowing on the Rhine and exploring the forests surrounding the city. During her time in the field, she will be exploring the drivers for firearm ownership in everyday, recreational settings and practices. To do this, she will be conducting ethnographic research into hunting groups based in North Rhine-Westphalia and will complete a hunting certification course (Jagdschein) to gain deeper insight into the regulatory, practical, and cultural dimensions of firearm use in this environment.