Swiss gun control advocates still want tighter legislation

Not least because of the recent school shootings in the United States, Swiss gun control advocates have stepped up their demands that the Swiss government tighten federal legislation on the purchase and sale of guns.

Not least because of the recent school shootings in the United States, Swiss gun control advocates have stepped up their demands that the Swiss government tighten federal legislation on the purchase and sale of guns.

“The law is full of loopholes,” said Toni Bernet, a leading campaigner for stricter gun controls, referring to new legislation introduced in January.

Under the new laws, certain guns can only be purchased with a permit. The authorities must also give their green light if a person wants to carry a gun on a regular basis.

Keeping a gun at home, on the other hand, does not require a permit. A person can also sell his or her gun without any cantonal or federal control whatsoever.

Before the national laws took effect, each Swiss canton had its own regulations. In some cantons, it was possible to buy automatic weapons over the counter without any permit

Bernet, who was a member of the parliamentary advisory committee which drafted the new laws, accused the Pro Tell gun lobby of having systematically watered gun control legislation.

“It’s scandalous that there is no control over selling weapons privately, and some semi-automatic weapons can still be bought without a licence,” he said.

Pro Tell’s vice-president Hans Wüst made no secret of the fact that he would prefer no gun control at all.

“You don’t fight gun crime with strict gun laws,” he said. “In Italy and Germany they have much stricter laws than in Switzerland, but the gun crime is not lower.”

Sports shooting associations, which are very popular in Switzerland and which group tens of thousands of target shooters, have also repeatedly voiced their opposition to tightening gun control. The members of these groups regard themselves as responsible people, who would never do anything dangerous with their guns.

“Guns are completely integrated into Swiss life,” commented Dani Reist, an ardent opponent of further gun control. “Just because we have our guns at home doesn’t mean we’re going to use them.”

Almost all male Swiss, who have to do national military service, have their guns and rifles at home. There is surprisingly little crime involving those arms.

However, statistics show that Switzerland’s relaxed gun laws may be cause for concern. While gun crime overall is still comparatively low, guns are used surprisingly often in cases of suicide and domestic violence.

Swiss police have also noticed an alarming trend in the increasing incidence of burglary: after hard cash, burglars appear most likely to steal guns.