A wave of sexual assaults and fatal Islamist attacks in Europe have some German politicians calling for a loosening of gun-control laws.

The leader of the Alternative for Germany party, Frauke Petry, said in a recent interview that Islamist attacks in Germany and elsewhere suggest that the German people should be able to arm themselves with firearms and other means of self-defense.

"Many people are increasingly feeling unsafe. Every law-abiding citizen should be in a position to defend themselves, their family and their friends," Petry said.

"We all know how long it takes until the police can get to the scene, especially in sparsely populated places," she added.

Europe has seen a flood of immigrants in recent years, as persons fleeing the Syrian civil war and the rise of the Islamic State have poured over from the Middle East and settled in northern countries, including France, Germany and England.

Growing concerns over the migrant crisis, and the threat of Islamic terrorism, have boosted the Alternative for Germany's standing in the country, and the group is expected to perform well in upcoming votes in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, according to Reuters.

Germany currently has some of the strictest gun control laws in all of Europe.

"Firearm owners must obtain a weapons license for which applicants must generally be at least 18 years old and show they have they have a reason for needing a weapon," Reuters noted.

But with the recent spate of fatal Islamist attacks, coupled with a wave of sexual assaults carried out by Middle Eastern immigrants, some German politicians are arguing now in favor of increased access to firearms.

And the German people seem to be onboard.

"The number of Germans applying for so-called 'small firearms license,' which are required to carry around blank guns and pepper spray, jumped 49 percent in the first half of 2016 to 402,301," according to Reuters. "However, permits for firearms fell to 1.894 million as of the end of June compared to 1.898 million a year earlier."