Germany returns 34 seized long guns to Tyrolean rifle companies

German authorities have returned 34 long guns seized from three Tyrolean rifle companies after a bus check in June. The proceedings were closed after each member involved paid a 200-euro fine, ORF Tirol reported.

The guns belonged to the Waidring, Fieberbrunn and St. Ulrich am Pillersee companies. About 50 members were travelling back to Tyrol from a celebration for Salzburg Archbishop Franz Lackner when German police stopped their bus in Bad Reichenhall. Officers had spotted what looked like a rifle in the passenger compartment.

Authorities said the required permits for the 34 weapons were apparently missing. Thirty-one were also being transported openly and within reach of passengers. Twelve rifles dating from 1937 were later found to have millimetre-sized proof marks from the Nazi era, bearing the Reich eagle and swastika. Officials examined whether this could breach German criminal law.

The 200-euro payments for each case had already been covered by security deposits retained during the bus check, bringing the total to 6,800 euros. The weapons have now been returned to the owners.

Tyrolean state rifle commander Thomas Saurer said the affected companies could now put the incident behind them. He added that the association had already adopted measures and issued recommendations to all 235 companies to prevent a recurrence, and that these now needed to be implemented.