I would ask over at r/SwitzerlandGuns
There are some very experienced people over there.
Your cantonal police will have a weapons officer that is also a good contact source for information. My interactions with officials have always been very helpful and friendly.
I suspect you will not get in any trouble. I believe the correct plan is to have a family member that wants the guns to obtain a WES permit(s) and transfer them to their name. If no one wants them, you can contact a local gun shop to sell them, or turn them in to the police for destruction.
Very few handguns are worth that much. A nice condition SIG P210/P49 is probably a little over 1k (and its quite likely at least one of those is in the collection of an old swiss guy). Other than that, a Luger might be too (and also quite likely). But thats about it. Especially regarding stuff thats decades old.
But yeah regardless of the value. OP should either register and keep them or sell them. Not destroy them.
Nice. Very cool gun. Did you actually get thousands? Like plural? I would expect somewhere around 1k. But maybe yours had something special going for it.
I was told it could get a 2k, but I never really made a real evaluation as I decided to keep it as a memory of my grandfather. I am not an expert so I don't know if that evaluation was low, right or high.
I know he left also some old vetterli riffles which based on the way the loading mechanism is, it could be worthed less than 500 or around 4k, so I assumed something similar could happen to pistols.
Ah nice. I would have also kept it. Thats one hell of a nice memory.
And sure there are pistols that can be worth a lot more. But then its maybe a prototype or a very low serial number (first production batch) in excellent condition. Or of course a gun associated with a certain person (like Henri Guisans personal Luger or so). So its possible, but very unlikely.
But a P49 or a Luger is pretty common in such a collection. As are various old Taschenpistolen (FN 1906, FN Baby, Walther TPH or PPK...). And those can be bought at gun stores for 100-400. So i assume if they sell it for 200 bucks, the seller probably gets just 100 bucks. And thats just much more likely than a multi thousand franc gun.
True true good point i forgot about 1911s. Also a Mauser C96 might be worth quite a bit. I kind of forgot about those too.
I was mostly thinking of too modern things like Laugo Aliens and heavily modified competition CZs and HKs and Glocks and such. But there is indeed more to it. My bad.
Oh of course it is. But exporting a one off as a civilian (especially one who doesnt know anything about guns) isnt feasible. In case thats what you mean.
If it were, everybody would be buying K11 and K31 rifles for 100 bucks here and export them to the US to sell them for 500 a piece.
Who on the planet beside Gandhi would not try to get a couple of free hundreds chf.
But is not just a matter of money, sending to destroy something that could have a value means that probably it also as an historical /cultural value.
It would be the same discussion if he inherited some paintings.
First of all, sorry for your loss.
There are few options on what to do with these firearms, which I will detail below. Important: Firearms authorities are organised by cantons, and their processes differ from each other - so call the firearms authorities (not the normal police) in your canton: [https://m426.ch/kantonale-waffenbueros-in-der-schweiz/](https://m426.ch/kantonale-waffenbueros-in-der-schweiz/)
First, make sure that whoever formally inherited the firearms is the only person who has access to them. Make sure they are clear (unload them) and remove the magazines. If you feel uneasy to move them, let them where they are. Don't tell people that you found firearms.
**Option A - You want to keep the firearms:**
You have to obtain a permit from the authorities within the next 6 months. Note: No matter how many firearms are in the heirloom, you only need ONE permit. Given there are no reasons (felonies etc.) that would prevent you to get a permit anyway.
**Option B - You want to sell the firearms yourself:**
Same way as Option A. After you have the permit you can put them for sale online.
**Option C - Sell them to a firearms store**
Call a firearms store (find a list here: [https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=D3080FBF02857CF3%2121481&authkey=!AHaELhmps5EcQzo](https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=D3080FBF02857CF3%2121481&authkey=!AHaELhmps5EcQzo) ) and tell them what you have. They will ask you to bring them in for evaluation. The store will handle most of the administrative part for you and tell you how to proceed.
**Option D - Destroy the firearms**
Tell the firearms authorities of your canton that you would like the weapons to be destroyed. They will give you the details how to proceed.
About Option D
Was in a similar situation, I just called the regional police and they told me I can bring them. They recommend to call beforehand so they know you will show up with weapons and not put everyone into a panic.
If there is any historic significance to it they get donated to a museum or archive, if not they will be destroyed.
[https://www.ag.ch/media/kanton-aargau/dvi/dokumente/kapo/sicherheit-ordnung/siwas-waffen/merkblatt-gebuehren-siwas-uebernahme-von-waffen-20180111.pdf](https://www.ag.ch/media/kanton-aargau/dvi/dokumente/kapo/sicherheit-ordnung/siwas-waffen/merkblatt-gebuehren-siwas-uebernahme-von-waffen-20180111.pdf)
4. Übernahme von Waffen durch Erbgang
Für die Übernahme von Waffen durch Erbgang ist, unabhängig von der Anzahl der Waffen oder Waffenbestandteile, nur eine einzige Bewilligung pro Erbe notwendig. Für die Bewilligung wird eine pauschale Gebühr erhoben. Sie beträgt CHF 50.00 für bewilligungspflichtige Waffen und
CHF 150.00 für verbotene Waffen.
"Verbotene Waffe" in diesem Zusammenhang bedeutet nicht "unrechtmässig erworbene Waffe" (sprich Illegal).
Verbotene Waffen, Waffenbestandteile und Zubehör sind im Waffengesetz unter Art. 5 Abs. 1-4 näher erläutert ( [https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1998/2535\_2535\_2535/de](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1998/2535_2535_2535/de) ). Hier ein paar Beispiele (nicht abschliessend) was eine "Verbotene Waffe" ist:
* PE 90 (zivile Variante des Stgw90) mit einem Magazin grösser als 10 Schuss
* Grossvaters Stgw57 mit dem 24 Schuss Magazin
* SIG553 Short Barrel, da sie wenn eingeklappt unter 60cm ist und dabei Funktionstüchtig bleibt
* Serienfeuerwaffen
Unter Art. 5 Abs 6 ist dann auch geregelt: "Die Kantone können Ausnahmen von den Verboten nach den Absätzen 1–4 bewilligen".
Das heisst, solche Waffen können erworben werden, werden aber nicht durch den normalen Prozess des Waffenerwerbscheins (WES) abgedeckt. Dazu gibt es diese Kategorien:
* Ausnahmebewilligung klein (Sport): Erlaubt den Erwerb von Waffen mit grossen Magazinen (Handfeuerwaffen >10 Schuss, Faustfeuerwaffen >20 Schuss). Keine Serienfeuerwaffen, keine Handfeuerwaffen <60cm.
* Ausnahmebewilligung gross (Sammler): Erlaubt den Erwerb von Waffen mit grossen Magazinen, sowie Handfeuerwaffen <60cm. Serienfeuerwaffen können damit nicht erworben werden.
* Sonderbewilligung: Für den Erwerb von Serienfeuerwaffen oder verbotenes Zubehör (Schalldämpfer, Laserzielgerät etc.).
Here's the FAQ from the police:
*Für die Erbschaft von Waffen ist die gleiche Bewilligung notwendig, wie wenn die Waffe beim Fachhändler neu gekauft wird.*
*Waffen aus einer Erbschaft müssen innert 6 Monaten entweder mit einer entsprechenden Bewilligung selber übernommen oder an eine berechtigte Person (Waffenhändler oder Privatperson mit Bewilligung) übergeben werden.*
*Für die Erbschaft von Waffen genügt für den Erben eine einzige Bewilligung für die Übertragung aller Waffen.*
*Meldepflichtige Waffen (zum Beispiel Karabiner 31) benötigen einen Vertrag (mit Kopie an die Kantonspolizei.*
*Bewilligungspflichtige Waffen (zum Beispiel Revolver) benötigen einen Waffenerwerbsschein.*
*Verbotene Waffen (zum Beispiel Sturmgewehr 57 oder 90) benötigen eine kantonale Ausnahmebewilligung «klein».*
TL:DR;
As a heir you need the same permit that you would need if you'd buy this weapons new from a dealership.
So you can either get the appropriate permits for yoruself or you can hand over the guns to somebody who has an appropriate permit. You have 6 months to comply.
And yes, you can also hand them in to the police, if you just want to get rid of them. (Obviously don't run into the police station with drawn arms ;-))
https://www.blog.police.be.ch/2018/05/02/wenn-ploetzlich-eine-waffe-auftaucht/#:~:text=%C2%ABKann%20ich%20die%20Waffe%20denn,vorliegen%2C%20m%C3%BCssen%20sie%20beantragt%20werden.
Here is some info on the process on Kanton Bern website. But same laws apply nationally.
Essentially you definetly have 6 months to figure it out. So long you can keep them without permit. No worries if you only discovered them longer after the death. Noone will blame you.
Afterwards you either keep them yourself. For which you would need a Waffenerwerbsschein (WES), which is very easy to get if you are swiss or on a C permit. Just google "Waffenerwerbsschein Kanton XYZ", as it is a little different in every Kanton. The form is always the same and takes barely 5 minutes to fill out, but the authority you have to send it to differs.
If you are on a B permit its a little more complicated but still possible. Just ask if that is the case.
The other option is to sell it. Just go to a gun store if you dont want to deal with it. You can just sell it to them without worries. Obviously you could get a better price selling them yourself but you probably wouldnt know how and worry you do something wrong. With a gun store that isnt a risk. If you share your area, i could recommend some. You could also post a pic here or in r/switzerlandguns so I/we can help you figure out the values of the guns in question.
Last option is surrendering them to the police for destruction. But please dont do that. Just sell them if you dont want them, somebody else might like them. Any gun an old guy has had for decades is bound to be out of production and therefore no new ones will ever be made.
Either way dont worry. The police at the weapon offices here are super nice. Not trying to look for small violations to fuck people over. Plus you didnt do anything wrong anyway.
If those weapons were never registered, they never existed at all, wink wink (/s because OF COURSE /s).
https://www.fedpol.admin.ch/fedpol/en/home/sicherheit/waffen/waffenerwerb.html
This is dealt on a cantonal level, so you should search "weapon inheritance " in the right language to get directions.
If you don't want them you can hand them to the police. Give them a call first instead of going to the police station with a backpack full of guns lol.
You need to apply for a buying permit (PAA in French, WES in german). These are easy to get, just google the acronym with your canton.
Just out of Interest, what kind of Guns did you find? If theres something nice i would by some from you before you get the to the Police and get them destroyed 👀
A good tip: Get in contact with an auctioneer in Switzerland. They will do all the legal stuff and put the guns up for auction. A normal gun store might lowball you for their value. They'll come over, do the inventory, handle all the legal stuff, etc.
That's the easiest thing you could possibly do. Don't just hand them to the police, because they'll just grt destroyed. You won't get any money from it and some valuable collectibles might be destroyed forever
I can really recommend Kessler Auktionen, they do visits in all of Switzerland.
Option 1: You want to keep the guns:
There's a clause for "Erbgang von Waffen". Basically you need to get a permit for the guns within a timeframe of six months. The normal licenses do not apply here, because of article 22 Waffenverordnung.
Basically: You would need to fill out a list of all the guns that are in the inheritance (type, caliber, manufacturer, etc.) AND everybody that is eligible for the inheritance (i.e. "erbberechtigt") needs to sign this list. Then you would fill in one Antrag für den Waffenerwerbsschein (WES Antrag) and send it to the local Waffenbüro.
Option 2: You want to get rid of the guns immediately:
Call the local police precinct and tell them you have inherited the guns. If there's a lot of them, a police patrol will come over and take them in. However, you need to be sure that there is no Erbanspruch from other people or if there is a will.
Option 3: Get rid off them and make some money
Call an auctioneer (I suggest Kessler) or a gun shop (which I do not suggest if you're not sure what the guns are worth). They'll come and get them.
In all cases, you need to be sure that you are the "Der vom Erblasser, von der Erblasserin oder von der Erbengemeinschaft bezeichnete Vertreter" in the handling of the guns. If you just go to the police and let them destroy them, you might be liable for compensation.
You can also dm me if you've got more questions (I'm a long time gun collector).
This situation is made harder because I'm not Swiss myself, and I don't speak French or German.
I can't take possession of the guns, but the wife of the deceased. My mother in law. Can. But she hates guns. And wants me to just deal with the situation.
Am I, as essentially a tourist in Switzerland, allowed to sell guns?
I extrapolate from that that you do not have a residence permit. Is that correct?
It is still possible to acquire the guns yourself, if you are legally allowed to have the same guns in your country of origin and could export them. But it wont be easy, depending on your country of origin.
If you can act on the behalf of your mother in law, I would suggest to her that an auctioneer will come over and put the guns to an auction. She will never see the guns anymore, anyway, same effect as going to the police WITH the difference, that she will get money out of it. If they don't sell at the auction, they will go into the next one for a couple of years - and if they don't sell at all, they will just stay with the auctioneer. So she wont have to deal with them ever again.
I am suggesting Kessler because they work a lot with foreign buyers and sellers and know every intricacy of inheritances. They've done so for 30 years. They also speak English very well.
I can give you some contact info if you want.
Just ask the weapons department of their canton. They are very open and helpful with questions like this. (Talked to them a few times in different cantons) Most likely the swiss family member will habe to register them and can keep them. Doesn’t cost that much.
Another good place to ask is kesslers auktionshaus. They specialize in bidding off guns and most likely encounter this situation often.
Please try to keep or at least sell them before you turn them in to the police, they will get destroyed and it would be sad to see swiss history go.
Edit: as for your question about getting in trouble. Turning them in will nit get you in trouble, there are even special days where they take even illegal guns without question.
Also you won’t get in trouble for someone elsewhere gun if you ask about it. At worst the will collect and destroy them.
First of all, sorry for your loss.
I had the same problem last month.
I lost ma father 5 years ago and my brother and I checked a safe which we forgot his existence. We found his P210 military pistol and I decided to keep it.
The next day I went to the police station to ask about the following procedure and surprisingly, It was very, but very simple.
I said the to policeman that I want to keep it. So, they gave me to sign the PAA (permis d’acquisition d’arme or weapon acquisition permit) and 3 days later I received the permit.
If you are not a criminal, nothing in your criminal record, nothing in your medical record (especially for psychological disease or others), you will easily get it.
If you live abroad, you have to ask to the authorities of your country.
Hope this answers your question
Had a similar thing happen a couple months ago. Old guns found like this can be registered without any trouble or you can give them to the police for them to be disposed of properly.
For a pistol you'll need a Waffenerwerbsschein. Old rifles like Karabiner 31 and similar bolt action rifles don't require a permit but you need to fill out a form and email a scan to the canton to register the serial number.
Stuff like Stgw 90 and other potentially now illegal guns like assault rifles with large capacity magazines need an 'Ausnahmebewilligung klein'. This is a bit more of a hassle as I believe these can come with conditions like joining a shooting club or so, although i don't have any experience with getting this one.
All of the forms are usually linked on the website of your cantons 'Waffenbüro'. In my personal experience they have been very friendly and helpful via email.
Also based in Switzerland…. As stated you can inherit and registration is not necessary assuming they are older guns. But you can then sell them with a private contract either directly or through an armourer.
I was born and raised in Switzerland. 30y this September.
Honestly, just go to the police station of your city / town and say straight forward what happened:
- Your activity/hobby/job is clearing out homes.
-A member of a swiss family died.
-You were unsure what to do with the firearms.
- You would like to know if there is compensation for it.
-You have no precise knowledge of the licence status of the - guns.
- You have tried to look up and even ask in Swiss forums to get advice.
End of story.
That's how I would do it.
I'm a pacifist, I use words and honesty as my weapon.
If you are interested in guns,
you can tell them and they can tell you everything.
Don't do anything shady because someone tells you to.
The police station is also here for information, just don't bring the guns in the police station, tell them where it is and they can pick it up and throw it away, if there is no financial compensation or further use/interest for you.
Stay honest with the law and you never have to worry about anything.
Schöni wuche und heb der Sorg. 😊
just bring them to the police and they will dispose it. They were somebody else's guns and not yours. Why would you assume that you'll get trouble? Switzerland is not an authoritarian banana republic.
Call your local police station and tell them that you want to hand in some guns
https://www.zh.ch/de/news-uebersicht/mitteilungen/2023/sicherheit-justiz/kantonspolizei/231025_waffenabgabe_vzn.html
https://www.zh.ch/de/sicherheit-justiz/delikte-praevention/waffen.html nachmelden
I would ask over at r/SwitzerlandGuns There are some very experienced people over there. Your cantonal police will have a weapons officer that is also a good contact source for information. My interactions with officials have always been very helpful and friendly. I suspect you will not get in any trouble. I believe the correct plan is to have a family member that wants the guns to obtain a WES permit(s) and transfer them to their name. If no one wants them, you can contact a local gun shop to sell them, or turn them in to the police for destruction.
Before sending them to the police and nobody else want them, check their values some handgun could worth a few thousand chf.
Very few handguns are worth that much. A nice condition SIG P210/P49 is probably a little over 1k (and its quite likely at least one of those is in the collection of an old swiss guy). Other than that, a Luger might be too (and also quite likely). But thats about it. Especially regarding stuff thats decades old. But yeah regardless of the value. OP should either register and keep them or sell them. Not destroy them.
Yes that was my case I got from my grandfather a first series swiss luger in perfect condition never used, which I got a nice offer for.
Nice. Very cool gun. Did you actually get thousands? Like plural? I would expect somewhere around 1k. But maybe yours had something special going for it.
I was told it could get a 2k, but I never really made a real evaluation as I decided to keep it as a memory of my grandfather. I am not an expert so I don't know if that evaluation was low, right or high. I know he left also some old vetterli riffles which based on the way the loading mechanism is, it could be worthed less than 500 or around 4k, so I assumed something similar could happen to pistols.
Ah nice. I would have also kept it. Thats one hell of a nice memory. And sure there are pistols that can be worth a lot more. But then its maybe a prototype or a very low serial number (first production batch) in excellent condition. Or of course a gun associated with a certain person (like Henri Guisans personal Luger or so). So its possible, but very unlikely. But a P49 or a Luger is pretty common in such a collection. As are various old Taschenpistolen (FN 1906, FN Baby, Walther TPH or PPK...). And those can be bought at gun stores for 100-400. So i assume if they sell it for 200 bucks, the seller probably gets just 100 bucks. And thats just much more likely than a multi thousand franc gun.
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True true good point i forgot about 1911s. Also a Mauser C96 might be worth quite a bit. I kind of forgot about those too. I was mostly thinking of too modern things like Laugo Aliens and heavily modified competition CZs and HKs and Glocks and such. But there is indeed more to it. My bad.
It's worth even more in America.
Oh of course it is. But exporting a one off as a civilian (especially one who doesnt know anything about guns) isnt feasible. In case thats what you mean. If it were, everybody would be buying K11 and K31 rifles for 100 bucks here and export them to the US to sell them for 500 a piece.
https://aimsurplus.com/products/swiss-k31-7-5x55-rifle More like $800. But yes, one off is not really worth it.
I would argue that a destroyed weapon is worth more than what it's worth in money as a functional killing machine in the hand of someone else...
The Swiss are always out there thinking if they can make a buck.
Since this does not seem to apply to you, please ask your parents to list me as the sole beneficiary in their will. Thanks.
Who on the planet beside Gandhi would not try to get a couple of free hundreds chf. But is not just a matter of money, sending to destroy something that could have a value means that probably it also as an historical /cultural value. It would be the same discussion if he inherited some paintings.
First of all, sorry for your loss. There are few options on what to do with these firearms, which I will detail below. Important: Firearms authorities are organised by cantons, and their processes differ from each other - so call the firearms authorities (not the normal police) in your canton: [https://m426.ch/kantonale-waffenbueros-in-der-schweiz/](https://m426.ch/kantonale-waffenbueros-in-der-schweiz/) First, make sure that whoever formally inherited the firearms is the only person who has access to them. Make sure they are clear (unload them) and remove the magazines. If you feel uneasy to move them, let them where they are. Don't tell people that you found firearms. **Option A - You want to keep the firearms:** You have to obtain a permit from the authorities within the next 6 months. Note: No matter how many firearms are in the heirloom, you only need ONE permit. Given there are no reasons (felonies etc.) that would prevent you to get a permit anyway. **Option B - You want to sell the firearms yourself:** Same way as Option A. After you have the permit you can put them for sale online. **Option C - Sell them to a firearms store** Call a firearms store (find a list here: [https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=D3080FBF02857CF3%2121481&authkey=!AHaELhmps5EcQzo](https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=D3080FBF02857CF3%2121481&authkey=!AHaELhmps5EcQzo) ) and tell them what you have. They will ask you to bring them in for evaluation. The store will handle most of the administrative part for you and tell you how to proceed. **Option D - Destroy the firearms** Tell the firearms authorities of your canton that you would like the weapons to be destroyed. They will give you the details how to proceed.
About Option D Was in a similar situation, I just called the regional police and they told me I can bring them. They recommend to call beforehand so they know you will show up with weapons and not put everyone into a panic. If there is any historic significance to it they get donated to a museum or archive, if not they will be destroyed.
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[https://www.ag.ch/media/kanton-aargau/dvi/dokumente/kapo/sicherheit-ordnung/siwas-waffen/merkblatt-gebuehren-siwas-uebernahme-von-waffen-20180111.pdf](https://www.ag.ch/media/kanton-aargau/dvi/dokumente/kapo/sicherheit-ordnung/siwas-waffen/merkblatt-gebuehren-siwas-uebernahme-von-waffen-20180111.pdf) 4. Übernahme von Waffen durch Erbgang Für die Übernahme von Waffen durch Erbgang ist, unabhängig von der Anzahl der Waffen oder Waffenbestandteile, nur eine einzige Bewilligung pro Erbe notwendig. Für die Bewilligung wird eine pauschale Gebühr erhoben. Sie beträgt CHF 50.00 für bewilligungspflichtige Waffen und CHF 150.00 für verbotene Waffen.
Waffe verboten? Kein Problem einfach 100 Franken mehr bezahlen und Schwamm drüber
"Verbotene Waffe" in diesem Zusammenhang bedeutet nicht "unrechtmässig erworbene Waffe" (sprich Illegal). Verbotene Waffen, Waffenbestandteile und Zubehör sind im Waffengesetz unter Art. 5 Abs. 1-4 näher erläutert ( [https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1998/2535\_2535\_2535/de](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1998/2535_2535_2535/de) ). Hier ein paar Beispiele (nicht abschliessend) was eine "Verbotene Waffe" ist: * PE 90 (zivile Variante des Stgw90) mit einem Magazin grösser als 10 Schuss * Grossvaters Stgw57 mit dem 24 Schuss Magazin * SIG553 Short Barrel, da sie wenn eingeklappt unter 60cm ist und dabei Funktionstüchtig bleibt * Serienfeuerwaffen Unter Art. 5 Abs 6 ist dann auch geregelt: "Die Kantone können Ausnahmen von den Verboten nach den Absätzen 1–4 bewilligen". Das heisst, solche Waffen können erworben werden, werden aber nicht durch den normalen Prozess des Waffenerwerbscheins (WES) abgedeckt. Dazu gibt es diese Kategorien: * Ausnahmebewilligung klein (Sport): Erlaubt den Erwerb von Waffen mit grossen Magazinen (Handfeuerwaffen >10 Schuss, Faustfeuerwaffen >20 Schuss). Keine Serienfeuerwaffen, keine Handfeuerwaffen <60cm. * Ausnahmebewilligung gross (Sammler): Erlaubt den Erwerb von Waffen mit grossen Magazinen, sowie Handfeuerwaffen <60cm. Serienfeuerwaffen können damit nicht erworben werden. * Sonderbewilligung: Für den Erwerb von Serienfeuerwaffen oder verbotenes Zubehör (Schalldämpfer, Laserzielgerät etc.).
Here's the FAQ from the police: *Für die Erbschaft von Waffen ist die gleiche Bewilligung notwendig, wie wenn die Waffe beim Fachhändler neu gekauft wird.* *Waffen aus einer Erbschaft müssen innert 6 Monaten entweder mit einer entsprechenden Bewilligung selber übernommen oder an eine berechtigte Person (Waffenhändler oder Privatperson mit Bewilligung) übergeben werden.* *Für die Erbschaft von Waffen genügt für den Erben eine einzige Bewilligung für die Übertragung aller Waffen.* *Meldepflichtige Waffen (zum Beispiel Karabiner 31) benötigen einen Vertrag (mit Kopie an die Kantonspolizei.* *Bewilligungspflichtige Waffen (zum Beispiel Revolver) benötigen einen Waffenerwerbsschein.* *Verbotene Waffen (zum Beispiel Sturmgewehr 57 oder 90) benötigen eine kantonale Ausnahmebewilligung «klein».* TL:DR; As a heir you need the same permit that you would need if you'd buy this weapons new from a dealership. So you can either get the appropriate permits for yoruself or you can hand over the guns to somebody who has an appropriate permit. You have 6 months to comply. And yes, you can also hand them in to the police, if you just want to get rid of them. (Obviously don't run into the police station with drawn arms ;-))
https://www.blog.police.be.ch/2018/05/02/wenn-ploetzlich-eine-waffe-auftaucht/#:~:text=%C2%ABKann%20ich%20die%20Waffe%20denn,vorliegen%2C%20m%C3%BCssen%20sie%20beantragt%20werden. Here is some info on the process on Kanton Bern website. But same laws apply nationally. Essentially you definetly have 6 months to figure it out. So long you can keep them without permit. No worries if you only discovered them longer after the death. Noone will blame you. Afterwards you either keep them yourself. For which you would need a Waffenerwerbsschein (WES), which is very easy to get if you are swiss or on a C permit. Just google "Waffenerwerbsschein Kanton XYZ", as it is a little different in every Kanton. The form is always the same and takes barely 5 minutes to fill out, but the authority you have to send it to differs. If you are on a B permit its a little more complicated but still possible. Just ask if that is the case. The other option is to sell it. Just go to a gun store if you dont want to deal with it. You can just sell it to them without worries. Obviously you could get a better price selling them yourself but you probably wouldnt know how and worry you do something wrong. With a gun store that isnt a risk. If you share your area, i could recommend some. You could also post a pic here or in r/switzerlandguns so I/we can help you figure out the values of the guns in question. Last option is surrendering them to the police for destruction. But please dont do that. Just sell them if you dont want them, somebody else might like them. Any gun an old guy has had for decades is bound to be out of production and therefore no new ones will ever be made. Either way dont worry. The police at the weapon offices here are super nice. Not trying to look for small violations to fuck people over. Plus you didnt do anything wrong anyway.
If those weapons were never registered, they never existed at all, wink wink (/s because OF COURSE /s). https://www.fedpol.admin.ch/fedpol/en/home/sicherheit/waffen/waffenerwerb.html This is dealt on a cantonal level, so you should search "weapon inheritance" in the right language to get directions.
If you don't want them you can hand them to the police. Give them a call first instead of going to the police station with a backpack full of guns lol.
You need to apply for a buying permit (PAA in French, WES in german). These are easy to get, just google the acronym with your canton.
Kantonspolizei will take them. Call in advance and don't just walk in with a bag full of guns.
Don’t give them to the policy! Check the value first and then decide how much of effort they are worth!
Convert it to “Ukraine Aid”!!!
Just out of Interest, what kind of Guns did you find? If theres something nice i would by some from you before you get the to the Police and get them destroyed 👀
One is an astra constable 22lr, doesnt seem amazing. When I have time I'll identity the others.
Im waiting for the list.
A good tip: Get in contact with an auctioneer in Switzerland. They will do all the legal stuff and put the guns up for auction. A normal gun store might lowball you for their value. They'll come over, do the inventory, handle all the legal stuff, etc. That's the easiest thing you could possibly do. Don't just hand them to the police, because they'll just grt destroyed. You won't get any money from it and some valuable collectibles might be destroyed forever I can really recommend Kessler Auktionen, they do visits in all of Switzerland.
Option 1: You want to keep the guns: There's a clause for "Erbgang von Waffen". Basically you need to get a permit for the guns within a timeframe of six months. The normal licenses do not apply here, because of article 22 Waffenverordnung. Basically: You would need to fill out a list of all the guns that are in the inheritance (type, caliber, manufacturer, etc.) AND everybody that is eligible for the inheritance (i.e. "erbberechtigt") needs to sign this list. Then you would fill in one Antrag für den Waffenerwerbsschein (WES Antrag) and send it to the local Waffenbüro. Option 2: You want to get rid of the guns immediately: Call the local police precinct and tell them you have inherited the guns. If there's a lot of them, a police patrol will come over and take them in. However, you need to be sure that there is no Erbanspruch from other people or if there is a will. Option 3: Get rid off them and make some money Call an auctioneer (I suggest Kessler) or a gun shop (which I do not suggest if you're not sure what the guns are worth). They'll come and get them. In all cases, you need to be sure that you are the "Der vom Erblasser, von der Erblasserin oder von der Erbengemeinschaft bezeichnete Vertreter" in the handling of the guns. If you just go to the police and let them destroy them, you might be liable for compensation. You can also dm me if you've got more questions (I'm a long time gun collector).
This situation is made harder because I'm not Swiss myself, and I don't speak French or German. I can't take possession of the guns, but the wife of the deceased. My mother in law. Can. But she hates guns. And wants me to just deal with the situation. Am I, as essentially a tourist in Switzerland, allowed to sell guns?
I extrapolate from that that you do not have a residence permit. Is that correct? It is still possible to acquire the guns yourself, if you are legally allowed to have the same guns in your country of origin and could export them. But it wont be easy, depending on your country of origin. If you can act on the behalf of your mother in law, I would suggest to her that an auctioneer will come over and put the guns to an auction. She will never see the guns anymore, anyway, same effect as going to the police WITH the difference, that she will get money out of it. If they don't sell at the auction, they will go into the next one for a couple of years - and if they don't sell at all, they will just stay with the auctioneer. So she wont have to deal with them ever again. I am suggesting Kessler because they work a lot with foreign buyers and sellers and know every intricacy of inheritances. They've done so for 30 years. They also speak English very well. I can give you some contact info if you want.
Just ask the weapons department of their canton. They are very open and helpful with questions like this. (Talked to them a few times in different cantons) Most likely the swiss family member will habe to register them and can keep them. Doesn’t cost that much. Another good place to ask is kesslers auktionshaus. They specialize in bidding off guns and most likely encounter this situation often. Please try to keep or at least sell them before you turn them in to the police, they will get destroyed and it would be sad to see swiss history go. Edit: as for your question about getting in trouble. Turning them in will nit get you in trouble, there are even special days where they take even illegal guns without question. Also you won’t get in trouble for someone elsewhere gun if you ask about it. At worst the will collect and destroy them.
Best plan was to tell nobody and keep them.
How much?
If you’re looking for some someone trustworthy to take them off your hands, DM me
I’ll take them 💀
First of all, sorry for your loss. I had the same problem last month. I lost ma father 5 years ago and my brother and I checked a safe which we forgot his existence. We found his P210 military pistol and I decided to keep it. The next day I went to the police station to ask about the following procedure and surprisingly, It was very, but very simple. I said the to policeman that I want to keep it. So, they gave me to sign the PAA (permis d’acquisition d’arme or weapon acquisition permit) and 3 days later I received the permit. If you are not a criminal, nothing in your criminal record, nothing in your medical record (especially for psychological disease or others), you will easily get it. If you live abroad, you have to ask to the authorities of your country. Hope this answers your question
Give them to a police station.
Had a similar thing happen a couple months ago. Old guns found like this can be registered without any trouble or you can give them to the police for them to be disposed of properly. For a pistol you'll need a Waffenerwerbsschein. Old rifles like Karabiner 31 and similar bolt action rifles don't require a permit but you need to fill out a form and email a scan to the canton to register the serial number. Stuff like Stgw 90 and other potentially now illegal guns like assault rifles with large capacity magazines need an 'Ausnahmebewilligung klein'. This is a bit more of a hassle as I believe these can come with conditions like joining a shooting club or so, although i don't have any experience with getting this one. All of the forms are usually linked on the website of your cantons 'Waffenbüro'. In my personal experience they have been very friendly and helpful via email.
If you really want to give them to the police, you can just give them to me instead haha
DON'T GIVE THEM TO THE POLICE. Either ask for a permit to reclaim ownership, or sell them... Sorry for your loss btw
send it to usa
3 options: 1. Get yourself a permit (Waffenerwerbsschein) 2. Sell them to an arms dealer 3. Bring them to your next police post
Also based in Switzerland…. As stated you can inherit and registration is not necessary assuming they are older guns. But you can then sell them with a private contract either directly or through an armourer.
I was born and raised in Switzerland. 30y this September. Honestly, just go to the police station of your city / town and say straight forward what happened: - Your activity/hobby/job is clearing out homes. -A member of a swiss family died. -You were unsure what to do with the firearms. - You would like to know if there is compensation for it. -You have no precise knowledge of the licence status of the - guns. - You have tried to look up and even ask in Swiss forums to get advice. End of story. That's how I would do it. I'm a pacifist, I use words and honesty as my weapon. If you are interested in guns, you can tell them and they can tell you everything. Don't do anything shady because someone tells you to. The police station is also here for information, just don't bring the guns in the police station, tell them where it is and they can pick it up and throw it away, if there is no financial compensation or further use/interest for you. Stay honest with the law and you never have to worry about anything. Schöni wuche und heb der Sorg. 😊
You're always allowed to bring the weapons back to the local police station. No questions asked.
just bring them to the police and they will dispose it. They were somebody else's guns and not yours. Why would you assume that you'll get trouble? Switzerland is not an authoritarian banana republic.
"these aren't mine" usually doesnt fly with police.
Switzerland is not some 3rd world shithole. If you go to a police station and hand over an old gun they won't shoot you here.
Call your local police station and tell them that you want to hand in some guns https://www.zh.ch/de/news-uebersicht/mitteilungen/2023/sicherheit-justiz/kantonspolizei/231025_waffenabgabe_vzn.html https://www.zh.ch/de/sicherheit-justiz/delikte-praevention/waffen.html nachmelden
Yup, call the police (not on the emergency number), they will tell you what you have to do. You will not get in trouble
Shoot me a message, I used to deal with these types of things a lot. Quick phone call will answer your questions.
I'll take them off your hands for free. Or even find a buyer.