Weapons safety systems and methods of operating the system are described. An example weapons safety system in which the enabling of a weapon to shoot is controlled by means of an exchange of identification between the weapon and an enabling apparatus. An example weapon includes a weapon identification code and a safety device. An example enabling apparatus that is designed to capture the weapon identification code and to transmit an enabling signal to the safety device in the weapon includes a control unit. The control unit controls the enabling device and includes an identification memory that includes at least one registered weapon identification. Upon receiving a control signal from the enabling apparatus, the weapon transmits an identification signal that contains the weapon identification code. In addition, the enabling apparatus sends a weapon-enabling signal if the weapon identification code matches at least one of the registered weapon identification. Furthermore, the enabling apparatus may change the identification code.