Traunstein prosecutors drop case against 34 Austrian riflemen

Prosecutors in Traunstein have dropped proceedings against 34 Austrian traditional riflemen suspected of breaching weapons laws, on condition that each pays €200, BR reported on Friday.

The case followed a June 24 inspection of a coach in Bad Reichenhall as three Tyrolean rifle companies returned from a priest’s anniversary celebration in Salzburg. Federal Police officers found 34 traditional rifles. Thirty-one were within easy reach, including in overhead luggage racks and between the men’s knees. Three more were in an unlocked luggage compartment accessible from outside.

The group did not have the documents required to bring the weapons into Germany. Police seized the rifles and collected a €200 security deposit from each of the 34 men.

Investigators found that 12 of the rifles, which were made in 1937, had small swastika markings on metal parts. The prosecutor’s office also examined whether the markings breached Germany’s ban on symbols of unconstitutional organisations, but concluded they did not amount to public use. The markings, measuring no more than 7 by 3 millimetres, were barely visible even from a short distance and could be seen only by the riflemen inside the coach.

The prosecutor’s office cited the men’s transit through Germany, with no planned stop, and a 2004 agreement between Germany and Austria that facilitates traditional riflemen’s participation in events across the border. It also noted that Austria has some eased rules for riflemen travelling as a company.

The proceedings were discontinued with the consent of the Laufen district court and the accused. The €6,800 total matches the security deposits already collected. The rifles are expected to be returned to the Austrian riflemen soon.