After New Year Eve's sexual assaults on women in Cologne and other German cities, more and more people are purchasing non-lethal arms or applying for licenses to obtain them. Top-selling items include concealed-carry handbags, air pistols, pepper sprays and stun weapons.

A dealer in the North Rhine-Westphalia region told Deutsche Welle his small arms sales almost tripled after the Cologne assaults, as "people no longer feel safe, otherwise they wouldn't be buying that much here."

The spike has been sparked by fears the large influx of refugees and migrants might affect public safety.

"I have a 23-year-old daughter who studies in Cologne and usually likes to spend time at carnivals. Now she is a bit afraid," an unnamed female customer buying a self-defense weapon was quoted as saying byDeutsche Welle.

Unlike the US, German legislation does not provide free access to firearms and lethal ammunition.