I am an EU citizen with a C permit.
I have applied for a Waffenerwerbsschein and have been invited for a meeting at Zug police station prior to receiving the WES. Has anyone gone through this procedure before? Any tips on what it involves or is there anything that I can prepare beforehand?
I haven't but would be interested to know the process once you've done it. Did you already get any kind of certificate from your home country?
My double-0 status wasn't considered as sufficient "affiliated foreign certification"
I didn't get any documentation from my home country. I just downloaded the WES form on the police website and sent it in along with a photocopy of my ID and Strafregisterzug. The interview is later this week, I'll let you know how it goes.
Interview over and WES received in the post the next day :-) It was quite straightforward. A list of simple questions which the police officer went through (any mental illness, history of depression, have you ever threatened anyone, any previous convictions etc.) The only question which surprised me was whether I had lived in the canton for more than two years as I didn't know that this was a requirement. It lasted about 15 minutes.
You lied about this, they don't check ?
Have to admit that I never looked into this, but can you now just buy a gun? Or do you need to be a member of a shooting club or so?
i've never heard of the 2 year requirement before either. does anyone have a link?
I assume interview was in German?
Strangely I know someone that applied in basel and no interview was conducted.
I guess you didn't tell them your screen name is Rambo.
I am amazed I have to say. I know many Swiss who have guns, because they are certified hunters or belong to a shooting club. Are you either of those?
In most Cantons you have to do a theory and practical exam, and also prove the specific need for a weapon for protection.
Strict legislation in Switzerland has made it extremely difficult to obtain a license to bear arms, and the trend is moving towards even stricter laws. For information purposes only, 400 people had a license to bear arms in the canton of Geneva in 1998. Only eight "survivors" still have authorization today. Understandable when you realize how little violent crime there is in Switzerland.
For those who wish to try nonetheless, a license to bear arms can be issued to any person who fulfills the conditions for obtaining a purchasing license :
The buyer must provide an official piece of identification Police clearance from the home country Demonstrate that he or she needs to bear arms for personal protection or to protect other persons or goods against specific dangers (A detailed letter of interest is required) Pass an examination on the correct handling of weapons and on the legislation on the use of firearms (NB: the examination takes place in one of the three official languages) Licenses are issued by the competent authority of the canton of residence for a specific type of firearm and for a maximum of five years. The license is valid throughout Switzerland. Note that you do not require a license to bear arms in order to transport an unloaded weapon for which you have a purchasing license , as long as it can be reasonably justified (e.g.: going to the shooting range). Outside of required travel to the shooting range or to an authorized gun dealer, you need a license to bear arms to transport your weapon even when it is unloaded.
So nothing to do about you personally Rambo - but I find it really perturbing that Zug Police was so lax in not following Law as per the above. In those uncertain days in Europe, it's quite shocking. My memory must be playing tricks, but I was sure you were South African and not EU.
Yes, will be along to the store next week. I am not a member of any shooting club but have completed a firearms course in Zug.
Interview was in German although he offered to do it in English. Most Kantons don't require an interview, as with many things the rules vary by Kanton.
About 12 years ago I had my application approved after a policeman called me on the phone to ask if I was in debt, had mental illness or alcohol / drug addiction. No interview and the phone call lasted about 2 minutes.
I'm not a hunter but used to shoot regularly at a range in Schlieren until it was knocked down
I am not sure where this text is from but I imagine it relates to bearing (ie carrying on your person when out and about) arms, rather than just owning a firearm. My permit allows me to buy a gun and go to a shooting range but I am not allowed to bring a gun with me to the supermarket or the pub. After visiting the shooting range I must go straight home, no stopping off to do some messages or for a quick pint.
Sorry, that was from
Yes there is a definite difference between a license to purchase and a license to carry (meaning you can have a fully loaded gun concealed on your person).
I know two people with carry licenses, one is an ex judge the other a regular citizen but both had threats against them. Everyone else I know has had a regular purchase license (or no license in the case of a private purchase).
The police used to be fairly relaxed on non carry license transport (guns unloaded, separate ammo, in a transport box / bag etc), I used to take my guns to the office to then go to the range after work etc.
That's for a carry permit, not an ownership permit.
State Department Post Reports are no longer accessible to non-Government personnel, but pre-2003 versions are online, and the report for Switzerland is here: http://www.ediplomat.com/np/post_reports/pr_ch.htm
Post reports normally include a comment on local weapons restrictions, if any. At that time, prior to the 2008 Swiss statutory revisions, it said: "Sporting and hunting guns may be brought to post."
The 2008 legislation is discussed here: https://www.fedpol.admin.ch/fedpol/f...it/waffen.html
For anyone finding this thread later, my experience getting a gun permit as a B resident from a European country, living in Zug:
Got an excerpt from the criminal record online: https://www.e-service.admin.ch/crex/...rivatauszug_en Needed to get a attestation of good behavior from my home country (kind of like a criminal record excerpt but not the same). In effect, they needed to agree that I would be allowed to get a weapon in my home country if I would go through the necessary steps there. Attached a copy of the B permit and passport
When I got that paperwork sent to the local police in Zug, I was invited for a short interview (in English) where I was asked questions about mental health etc. I have heard it is more difficult to get a license if you are not wanting to get a gun for a shooting club, so perhaps take that into account. It was all pretty easy and I walked out of there with my first paper that allowed me to buy three guns.
When you want to buy additional guns, you just have to get a recent excerpt from the criminal record, copy of permit and passport, and send it together with this form: https://www.fedpol.admin.ch/dam/data...such_wes-d.pdf
Note that you need one form for one purchase at one vendor, so if you are for instance at a gunshow, you can only buy from one stand there. Although at gunshops they are generally happy to hold your form for later in order for you to buy three guns with that one form as opposed to having to get a form every time you want to buy one gun at that shop. I have also gotten another gunshop to send a gun to the shop that held my form (foc), so again I wouldn't have to get a new one.
In general, people at the gunshop will be usually happy to help with the whole process (if they speak english). I shoot at Selgis, great club. PM me if any questions.