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Switzerland votes in referendum on tighter gun laws Switzerland votes for tighter gun laws by large margin
(about 7 hours later)
Swiss voters are casting ballots in a referendum to decide whether to enact new restrictions on guns and line up with other countries in the European visa-free travel zone who have tightened rules following extremist attacks. Swiss voters have agreed by a nearly two-to-one margin to adopt tighter gun controls in line with changes to EU rules, heading off a clash with Brussels.
The proposal could require regular training in the use of firearms, special waivers for possession of some semi-automatic weapons and serial-numbering of major parts of some guns to help track them. The measure passed in the binding referendum on Sunday under the Swiss system of direct democracy by a 64-36% margin, provisional final results showed.
Supporters, including the Swiss parliament and executive branch, say measures similar to those adopted by the EU after deadly extremist attacks in France are needed to ensure strong police cooperation and economic ties with Switzerland’s partners in Europe’s Schengen zone. The restrictions, which apply to Switzerland as a non-EU member because it is part of Europe’s Schengen open-border system, had raised hackles among shooting enthusiasts before the vote.
Switzerland is in the Schengen zone but not the EU. Failure to adopt the rules could have forced Switzerland to leave the passport-free Schengen zone and the Dublin joint system for handling asylum requests.
The issue has stoked passions in a country with a proud tradition of gun ownership and sport shooting, and where veterans of obligatory military service for men can take home their service weapons after their tours of duty. After militants killed scores of people in Paris in 2015, the EU in 2017 toughened laws against purchasing semi-automatic rifles such as the ones used in those attacks and made it easier to track weapons in national databases.
Switzerland’s system of regular referendums gives voters a direct say in policymaking. The initial EU proposal provoked an outcry because it meant a ban on the Swiss tradition of ex-soldiers keeping their assault rifles.
Opponents of the measure insist it will do little to stop terrorism. They say it will crack down mainly on lawful gun owners and ram through what they perceive as the latest diktat from Brussels. Swiss officials negotiated concessions for veterans and gun enthusiasts who take part in the country’s numerous shooting clubs, but any restrictions imported from the EU go too far for right-wing activists concerned about Swiss sovereignty.
About two-thirds of respondents in recent polls on the issue said they supported the measure. “To me, the new obligations linked to the possession of guns are not that restrictive, while the risk of not being able to benefit from Schengen’s advantages are very real,” said one bank employee who gave his name only as Philippe.
Final results are expected by late afternoon on Sunday. “It has nothing to do with blackmail, it is just that Switzerland has to align itself with a system in which it participates.”
Switzerland has not faced major extremist attacks like those that have hit France, Belgium, Britain and Germany in recent years, leaving scores dead. Gun rights proponents complained the rules could disarm law-abiding citizens and encroach on Switzerland’s heritage and national identity, which includes a well-armed citizenry.
SwitzerlandSwitzerland
EuropeEurope
European UnionEuropean Union
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