What are on-site inspections by the firearms authority?
"Please don't be alarmed! We're from the weapons authority of the Lippe police - we'd like to take a look at your weapons!" It's perfectly normal to be startled when the police turn up unannounced with three people at your door. However, the reason is harmless but important: the weapons authority regularly checks the proper handling of weapons by license holders. This is regulated in Section 36 Paragraph 3 of the Weapons Act: According to this, every gun owner is obliged to cooperate in such a suspicion-independent storage check. If you repeatedly fail to comply with this without justification, this can result in unreliability and thus revocation of your firearms license.
How does such a visit work?
After a brief welcome, it starts: You allow the employees of the weapons authority access to the rooms where you keep your weapons and, if applicable, ammunition. From this point on, the employees of the weapons authority take over. They remove the weapon from the gun cabinet and first check the loading status. The serial numbers are then compared with the numbers in the existing file. At the same time, the gun cabinet is checked and also how your ammunition is stored - if you are allowed to have any. If everything meets the requirements and you comply with your storage obligations, there is nothing to worry about during an inspection and the visit is over very quickly.
And if not? Even a single breach of the storage regulations can lead to a finding of unreliability under firearms law. An intentional or negligent violation in this context is also an administrative offense and can be punished with a fine of up to 10,000 euros. If there is also a concrete risk of loss or unauthorized access to firearms and ammunition by third parties, it is even a criminal offence. In this case, the weapons authority will decide on the spot whether the items such as weapons or ammunition will be seized on site. Criminal proceedings will also be initiated against you.
Why are we visiting you?
In Lippe, 3955 people have a gun ownership card. They have inherited the weapon(s) from their parents or grandparents, for example, and are not allowed to own ammunition. Other permit holders go hunting or use their weapons in a shooting club. And these weapons must be checked regularly. The "surprise visits" serve to check the handling of weapons in everyday life: Who has access to the weapons in the household? What condition are the weapons in? What condition is the gun cabinet in? The aim of the police is to punish potential violations and to prosecute criminal offenses and administrative offenses in order to avert danger. In addition, good cooperation between gun owners and the weapons authority is an important sign of the public's trust in legal gun owners, so that they can continue to enjoy their passion for a long time to come.