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Swiss voters on Sunday approved a measure to tighten the Alpine nation's gun laws, bringing the country in line with many of its European partners despite the objections of local gun owners, Swiss media reported, citing official results.
Switzerland's public broadcaster said more than 63% of voters nationwide agreed to align with European Union firearms rules adopted two years ago after deadly attacks in France, Belgium, Germany and Britain.
The vote Sunday was part of Switzerland's regular referendums that give citizens a direct say in policymaking. It had stoked passions in a country with long, proud traditions of gun ownership and sport and target shooting. Switzerland, unlike many other European nations, allows veterans of its obligatory military service for men to take home their service weapons after tours of duty.
The Swiss proposal, among other things, requires regular training on the use of firearms, special waivers to own some semi-automatic weapons and serial number tracking system for key parts of some guns. Gun owners would have to register any weapons not already registered within three years, and keep a registry of their gun collections.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by bob_super on Thursday May 23 2019, @06:58PM (2 children)
Effectiveness of suicide intent by guns is much higher than any of these other categories.
Lot of people miss or chicken out, when it's not as easy as pulling a trigger.
I'm all for letting people off themselves, if they want to and don't hurt anyone else in the process. That doesn't prevent me from acknowledging that guns are excessively good at turning a bad day into an irreversible mistake.
ANYWAY, reading the list in TFS, this has nothing to do with suicide.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 24 2019, @01:35AM (1 child)
It could be that the level of one's intent to commit suicide is at play. A serious person will choose an effective means while a person seeking attention or whatever, will not. How many people just looking for attention choose guns? And will banning guns have any effect on those who are serious and capable of choosing other just as effective means?
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Friday May 24 2019, @04:36PM
As my last sentence alluded to, the list of restrictions in TFS is not a "ban".
It's also not a "reduce suicides" list. It's a "responsible ownership and traceability" list, driven by the open borders with the EU next door.
IF you're gonna have a lot of firearms in your society, that is a fairly reasonable list. The Swiss are typically not dreaming of armed uprisings against their violent dictator.