The supplier of the confiscated weapons is a 42-year-old man from the area of Kaiserslautern. Officials say his customers face charges of illegal possession of weapons and explosives as well as violations of the German arms control law.

Several of the weapons owners belong to an organization called Stahlhelm, or Steel Helmet, which participants claim is dedicated to the maintenance of military traditions. Intelligence officials say the group propagates racist and anti-Semitic ideology.