germany weapons air-travel
I committed a crime against the Weapons Act in Germany - Can I travel there?
<p>I bought a butterfly knife in Poland (where it is legal) and had an overnight stop in Germany. I checked my bags out from the airport that night, then checked them back in the morning. </p>

<p>The knife was confiscated, and I had to sign papers, make a statement, etc.
I am currently pending investigation.</p>

<p>I have a business trip in Germany in a few months, which I am certain is sooner than my sentencing. Can I fly to Germany before my sentencing? USA citizen, if it matters.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/waffg_2002/BJNR397010002.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/waffg_2002/BJNR397010002.html</a></p>

<p>As in most cases it depends on the details. </p>

<p>The length of a blade (> 44mm and width > 10) is important and the circumstances.</p>

<p>Assume a <strong>fine</strong> to something up to € 10000, but a sentence up to 3 years is also possible.</p>

<p>In Germany it is not <strong>crime</strong> (anything that can be fined or minimal sentence is less than 1 year is not a crime). </p>

<p>I assume that they took your home address and let you leave the country, which alone is a sign that it not a crime. </p>

<p>Since you were so smart to place this in your luggage, where it <strong>garantied</strong> to be found by airport security, you will probably get something in the range of the minimal fine.<br>
You also cooperated by giving a statement, which will assist to lessen the fine (you were after all caught red handed). </p>

<p>Having it on your person in a public space, the fine would have be higher. </p>

<p>Swinging it around among peaple in a threatening manner, will lead you into the range of a sentence. </p>

<p>When the fine arrives, there will be bank transaction form.<br>
Go to the next post office or bank and pay it, retaining the receipt. </p>

<p>Border control will not be interested in you (they only get alerts for proper criminals).<br>
Customs (Zoll) could be interested to enforce the fine, show them the receipt. </p>

<p>Pay the fine and get on with your life. </p>

<hr>

<p>As to the <strong>U.S. Consulate</strong> (forget Embassy, State Department: they deal only in diplomatic affairs) all they will tell you is</p>

<ul>
<li>you must obey the laws of the country you are in</li>
<li>assisted in getting an English speaking lawyer when requested </li>
<li>send you bill for their efforts</li>
</ul>

<p>A Consulate deals with citizen affairs (administration, assistance). </p>

<p>Most Embassies have a Cousulate department inside, but not all.<br>
In Berlin it does not. The Cousulate is about 20 Kilometres away from the Embassy. </p>

<p>The right to call them is based on the Vienna Conventions 1815 and 1961. All countries that reconised these conventions are required to allow a foreigner to contact their Cousulate.<br>
A dual citizen, when inside the country where they are a citizen, do not have this right. </p>
