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jh45gun
05-12-2005, 09:01 PM
Swiss shooters target Schengen accord swissinfo May 12, 2005 10:10 AM Taking aim: the Swiss gun lobby fears restrictions on weapons' purchases (Keystone) Shooting is more than just a sport to many Swiss, who believe a whole way of life would be under threat if the nation signs up to the Schengen accord. Geared to improve cross-border security, the European Union agreement also lays down minimum requirements for acquiring and possessing firearms. RELATED ITEMS Sale of army weapons triggers heated debate Swiss leads UN efforts against illegal arms trade Metzler calls for tighter gun controls "The Swiss are well armed and enjoy great freedom," wrote Machiavelli in 1532. Many Swiss today see a causal connection between the two, with three million firearms in private hands. And when they realised that a yes to Schengen would require changes to their liberal firearm laws, they came out with all guns blazing. "We won’t let ourselves be disarmed by the EU!" says Willy Pfund, from the Committee for a Free Gun Law, which is calling for Schengen to be rejected, and also president of Pro Tell, a 7,000-strong pro-gun lobby. "Not only is the security of Switzerland at stake but also the sovereignty of its gun laws," Pfund added. Pro Tell sees Schengen as the beginning of a slippery slope. "If Switzerland enters into Schengen, sooner or later it will be forced to take on further tightening of European gun laws," Pfund said. The Swiss public is set to vote on whether to implement the accord, which covers other cross-border security issues and the removal of border controls with EU member states, on June 5. The upcoming ballot is also making emotions run high. "This is an imported law that brings us nothing – it’s a farce!" Fritz Kilchenmann, president of the Zurich Shooting Association, told swissinfo. "Respectable and law-abiding marksmen, hunters and gun collectors are being compared to criminals. You won’t prevent any crimes by taking weapons away from private owners and banning them," said Kilchenmann. Difference of opinion Not all hunters, however, are calling for a no. "Hunters can live with Schengen," says Urs Weber, director of the 200,000-member Swiss Shooting Association. "I had to register my mobile phone – I don’t see why one should refuse to register a weapon." JagdSchweiz, an umbrella organisation for Swiss hunters, has also distanced itself from Pro Tell's stance. It says the revision of the gun laws is only a small part of Schengen’s security efforts as a whole. New laws The main change that Schengen will have on gun laws, should the Swiss vote in its favour, is that the previous distinction between retail and private purchases would no longer apply. Both types of acquisition would have to be reported to a cantonal office as well as weapons obtained by inheritance. The firearms would also be classified as falling into one of three categories. The first is banned weapons (automatic guns, disguised weapons and weapons of war such as grenade and rocket launchers), for which an exemption is required. The second category is weapons requiring approval (revolvers, pistols and semi-automatics) and an acquisition certificate. A reason must be given when applying for the acquisition certificate (although an interest in guns will do!) but the buyer does not have to prove a need. Hunters, sports shooters and collectors are exempt from giving a reason for purchase. The third category is weapons which have to be simply reported. These include rifles used for hunting and sports shooting. In addition, a European firearms passport will be introduced, which will make life easier for hunters or sports shooters temporarily exporting guns to or passing through a Schengen state. The requirements which apply to the purchase of weapons will also apply to ammunition. No change However, the guidelines have a limited area of application and give the Swiss legislature a degree of flexibility. Swiss law will still have the final say on many issues. This means that the Schengen accord will have no effect on the Swiss militia, young people’s shooting clubs, the right of soldiers to store their military rifles at home or the requirement that they return them when they leave the army. The accord also does not require a central national weapons register and would not affect the carrying of firearms. Finally, Schengen will not affect hunting and shooting in Switzerland – national laws regarding such things as hunting permits, the hunting season and shooting events will still stand. High emotions Switzerland’s recent history in gun-ownership has been chequered. In 2001 a gunman entered the cantonal parliament in Zug, killing 14 people before turning the gun on himself. All his firearms, including an army-issue assault rifle, were legally acquired. The killings shocked a country with a higher per capita rate of gun ownership than the United States but comparatively little gun crime. The then justice minister, Ruth Metzler, said all guns should be centrally registered, sparking an outcry from the gun lobby and some politicians. The plans were later put on ice. swissinfo, Thomas Stephens

jh45gun
05-12-2005, 09:01 PM
The UN and their gun grabbing ways can stick it as far as I am concerned.~
_________________

jh45gun
05-13-2005, 03:13 AM
This sculpture was a gift from the Government of Luxembourg presented to the United Nations in 1988. It consists of a large replica in bronze of a 45-calibre revolver, the barrel of which istied into a knot. It was created in 1980 as a peace symbol by artist Karl Fredrik Reutersward, and is located in the Visitor's Plaza, facing First Avenue at 45th Street.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v454/jh45gun/UNTwistedGun.jpg

Expat74
02-02-2017, 10:39 AM
A decade and a bit later, same story. This time though there is serious opposition here. I know of at least three initiatives, one of which ProTell (our equivalent to NRA) to stop this nonsense coming from the ivory towers of Bruxelles.

Fun fact: the appointed "expert" on behalf of the EU commission produces headlines of his own:

http://firearms-united.com/2016/11/02/un-eu-firearms-expert-suspected-distribution-illegal-firearms/

http://www.brusselstimes.com/rss-feed/6819/weapons-proofhouse-of-liege-arrest-warrant-issued-for-director

http://gatesofvienna.net/2016/11/gun-grabbers-gun-runners-and-the-european-commission/

44man
02-02-2017, 12:19 PM
The Swiss have been a free people forever. Well armed always. Low crime except those that cross borders. Now the EU wants control. The EU wants to control us too. Their affect on the world has been millions of deaths. Like the UN. Worthless bunch. It is a one world gov't scheme.
The Swiss people are the army. Rakes and pitch forks are not the way.

Plate plinker
02-02-2017, 12:53 PM
Dang ole foreign gun grabbers. Never happy to let people live the way they see fit.

Blackwater
02-02-2017, 02:12 PM
The Swiss are a unique people in all history. Pretty much "mind your own business" types, by and large, and fiercely independent. I think the EU and its "higher aims" will not fare well there. Maybe another .... "Brexit" reissue #1?

robg
02-02-2017, 05:12 PM
That why we voted for brexit

xs11jack
02-02-2017, 09:02 PM
The Swiss resistance to EU dictates won't last long because with the instant and cheap communications world wide, the Swiss youth will get brain washed by the rest of EU. The schools there will go the way ours have, instant liberal factories churning out brain washed snowflakes.
Ole Jack

mold maker
02-03-2017, 12:55 PM
I have three teen Grandaughters that keep me informed on the hogwash they're being taught. (and we're paying for it)
Just think, they will soon be taking care of us.

10x
02-03-2017, 06:13 PM
The Swiss are a unique people in all history. Pretty much "mind your own business" types, by and large, and fiercely independent. I think the EU and its "higher aims" will not fare well there. Maybe another .... "Brexit" reissue #1?

Mostly they "mind" other people's money and charge a fee to do so and keep their mouths shut