Jena-Lichtenhain, March 26, 2026 – A moment of shock in a company building in Lichtenhain: An apparent firearm fell out of an employee’s backpack on Thursday morning. The summoned police arrived and secured the alleged pistol.
- What: Police operation due to suspected firearm
- When: Thursday, 26.03.2026
- Where: Company building in the district of Lichtenhain
- Who: 56-year-old employee
- Result: Seizure of a soft-air pistol, initiation of administrative offense proceedings
Quick all-clear by the officers
An attentive witness immediately alerted the Jena police after observing a pistol-like object fall out of a colleague’s backpack on the company premises. The police officers, who arrived quickly, made contact with the 56-year-old employee on-site and inspected the object.
As it quickly turned out, it was fortunately not a live firearm, but a so-called soft-air pistol. Since carrying such a weapon in public without the corresponding weapons law permit is prohibited, the police secured the object on the spot. Administrative offense proceedings were initiated against the 56-year-old. In their report, the police explicitly emphasized that at no time was there a real danger to the company’s employees or other persons.
Background: Replica weapons and weapons law
So-called soft-air pistols are often considered “replica weapons” (Anscheinswaffen) under the German Weapons Act, as they often look deceptively similar to real firearms in size, shape, and color. Carrying such items outside of one’s own home, business premises, or enclosed property is strictly prohibited according to Section 42a of the Weapons Act (WaffG). Anyone who violates this commits an administrative offense, which can be punished with a heavy fine of up to 10,000 euros. The police in Thüringen regularly warn against carrying such replicas in public: in an emergency and in a fraction of a second, officers cannot distinguish beyond doubt between a real and a toy weapon, which can sometimes trigger far-reaching police coercive measures.
Source:
Police News Jena, 26.03.26: Moment of shock in Lichtenhain
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.