Swiss To Vote on Ending Private Possession of Automatic Firearms In The Home on Sunday
(UPDATE: Swiss voters rejected the ban on possession of automatic weapons in the home today, 02/13/11, with 56% of voters rejecting the ban. Support for the ban came primarily from urban areas such as Bern and Geneva. But, most Cantons voted against the ban.)
There was a time when any American could walk into the neighborhood hardware store, pick out a Thompson submachine gun, put your money on the counter, and take it home. That was before the implementation of the National Firearms Act (NFA).You can still buy one once you comply with the BATFE requirements.
The era of private possession of Automatic firearms may be drawing to a complete close in Switzerland. There is a measure on the ballot there this Sunday that would require Swiss citizen military veterans to store their military issued SG 550 Assault Rifles in secure army depots. Many Swiss believe the new law would harm the Swiss ready militia, where Swiss have kept their military weapons at home for years. Traditionally, Swiss veterans could keep their government issued automatic rifles in the home and many are found in many Swiss homes. Vets typically return to duty for two weeks annually for training.
The era of private possession of Automatic firearms may be drawing to a complete close in Switzerland. There is a measure on the ballot there this Sunday that would require Swiss citizen military veterans to store their military issued SG 550 Assault Rifles in secure army depots. Many Swiss believe the new law would harm the Swiss ready militia, where Swiss have kept their military weapons at home for years. Traditionally, Swiss veterans could keep their government issued automatic rifles in the home and many are found in many Swiss homes. Vets typically return to duty for two weeks annually for training.
Those backing the measure point out that there are 2.3 million military rifles brought home by vets in a country of less than 8 million. They claim that is the reason why Switzerland has the highest suicide rate in Europe with about 1,300 annually. About 25% are done with guns. Anti gun proponents claim that between one and two hundred are done with military automatic rifles. It is not know how many are used in crimes, if any
They also want a national gun registry and a ban on the sale of full auto weapons. They are also using the homicides in 2001 when a madman killed 14 people and himself with a commercial model of the SG 550.
It is also worth noting that Switzerland has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. They have also depended on their armed population for national defense since 1291 and the birth of the Swiss Confederation. Crossbows were the weapon of choice at one time with their bolts being the armor piercing ammunition of the time.
It is also worth noting that Switzerland has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. They have also depended on their armed population for national defense since 1291 and the birth of the Swiss Confederation. Crossbows were the weapon of choice at one time with their bolts being the armor piercing ammunition of the time.
Pastor Holds Teenage Burglars At Gunpoint
The burglars tried to negotiate with him but then quickly said that they would shoot him when one reached into his pocket and told the pastor that he had a gun. He was unarmed. They were arrested without incident.
“…If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one…” is what the disciples were told to do.
A Concealed handgun permit holding Beaumont, Texas pastor acted on that admonition when he used his handgun to stop a burglary in progress after he finished his Sunday sermon. He saw two teens breaking into the church. He held the two burglars at gunpoint while he waited for police to arrive.
The burglars tried to negotiate with him but then quickly said that they would shoot him when one reached into his pocket and told the pastor that he had a gun. He was unarmed. They were arrested without incident.
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I hope that the Swiss citizens have the common sense to reject this initiative on the part of the anti-gunners.
ReplyDelete"Those backing the measure point out that there are 2.3 million military rifles brought home by vets in a country of less than 8 million. They claim that is the reason why Switzerland has the highest suicide rate in Europe with about 1,300 annually. About 25% are done with guns."
ReplyDeleteSo what??
What makes you think that those people, if they really want themselves, won't do it, with or without guns? They are not striking at the root of the problem at all, and removing guns won't do a thing to change those suicide rates. There are plenty of ways people can commit suicide painlessly, and considerably less messily, than with guns. How is that going to solve the problem?