NOTICE: This publication is available digitally on the AFDPO/PP WWW site at:
http://afpubs.hq.af.mil.
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
BY ORDER OF THE COMMANDER
US AIR FORCES IN EUROPE (USAFE)
USAFE INSTRUCTION 51-703
9 JULY 2001
Law
GERMAN LAW ON SELF-DEFENSE
(NOTWEHR) APPLICABLE TO OFFICIAL USE
OF ARMS BY CIVILIAN PERSONNEL
OPR: HQ USAFE/JAI (Mr Udo Bollmann) Certified by: HQ USAFE/JAI (Col C.R. Dooley)
Supersedes USAFEI 51-703, 17 May 1999. Pages: 6
Distribution: F
This instruction implements Air Force Policy directive 51-7, International Law. It applies to all USAFE,
US Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units within the USAFE area of responsibility.
SUMMARY OF REVISIONS
This revision reflects revised text of Article 12, Paragraph 4, Sentence 2, Supplementary Agreement.
1. Purpose:
1.1. To direct compliance with Article 12 of the Supplementary Agreement (Attachment 2), by
members of the civilian component and local and third-country personnel employed in the services of
the US forces authorized to possess and carry firearms in the performance of their duties for safe-
guarding of cash or property or where they are particularly endangered by the special nature of their
official position or activities.
1.2. To provide persons authorized to possess a nd carry arms under Article 12 of the Supplementay
Agreement (Attachment 2), the German in terpretation of the German Law on self-defense (Not-
wehr).
2. German Law on Self-Defense . The German Law on Self-Defense (Notwehr) is contained in an
agreed minute regarding Article 12 at Attachment 3.
Certified Current on 28 February 2017
