The comments at the end of the story are interesting.

http://www.thelocal.ch/20160725/terror-fears-trigger-swiss-run-on-guns

Published: 25 Jul 2016 08:52 GMT+02:00

There has been a marked increase in applications for gun licences in Switzerland, a development police attribute to growing insecurity.

The SonntagsBlick newspaper reported new statistics showing the number of applications increased by 17 percent last year over the previous year.

The statistics from all 26 cantons showed that there were 29,146 applications for gun ownership made in 2015.

All cantons with the exception of Jura in the northwest reported an increase. In most cases there was a double-digit jump in requests.

Demand was highest in Obwalden (plus 49 percent), Lucerne (plus 34 percent) and Zug (33 percent).

And the trend looks set to continue this year. Figures provided by the cantons of St Gallen and Basel Country showed gun sales there were up 30 percent already this year, the paper said.

The increase in gun ownership is not down to people who shoot for a hobby, according to SonntagsBlick, as the number of those belonging to gun clubs has remained constant or even fallen in recent years.

There also appears to be no connection with army weapons. It has been the case for six years that anyone wanting to hold onto an army-issue gun following the end of their military service has needed a licence.

Police sources told the paper the likely reason for the boom in applications was the rise in fears over terrorism.

The 2016 security report by the Centre for Security Studies of the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich backed this up, according to the paper.

The report found growing pessimism about the global political situation with 87 percent of the view that more needed to be done to fight terrorism.

To own a gun in Switzerland you must file an application with the police, be over 18 and be able to prove you do not pose a danger to yourself or others.

Gun owners additionally need a licence to carry their weapon, and that requires passing a test.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
There is no such thing as terrorism. If the Swiss would tune into tonights DNbaCle they would surely see that everything is unicorns, rainbows, lolipops & sunshine.
Guns = bad
Islamic terrorists = good

Here, it's not terrorism that triggers a wave of panic buying.

It's the government threatening to take them away.

HEY RAY...that bloody obama has hacked your account!

It's been my impression that historically Switzerland has more guns in civilian hands than anywhere else in Europe. Which after checking is true if only referring to Western Europe. According to Wikipedia, Switzerland has the fourth highest number of guns per capita of any country in the world, where the US, Serbia and then Yemen, rank 1, 2, 3, respectively. Other sources list Switzerland at #3 ahead of Serbia (listed as 5th). It's worth noting that Switzerland is considered one of the safest places on earth by every metric.

Make mine an Stgw-57 please.

I can bring my K31 if they need some reserve help...

I'm surprised that a European nation will issue concealed-carry licenses:


Acquisition of Guns

An acquisition license is required primarily for handguns. Rifles and semiautomatic long arms that are customarily used by recreational hunters are exempt from the licensing requirement,[44] whereas fully automatic guns are banned.[45] An applicant for a weapons license must be at least eighteen years of age, may not have been placed under guardianship, may not give cause for suspicion that he would endanger himself or others with the weapon, and may not have a criminal record with a conviction for a violent crime or of several convictions for nonviolent crimes.[46] The license is issued by the canton of residence of the applicant but is valid throughout Switzerland. The license is valid for six months, maximally nine months.[47] It is usually valid for the acquisition of one weapon only.[48]

The acquisition license is required only if a weapon is acquired from a dealer. No license is required for transactions between private individuals. Instead, these are permitted as long as the seller verifies the identity and age of the buyer by checking an official identification document and as long as he has no reason to believe that the buyer has been or should be disqualified from gun ownership. The buyer may ascertain these circumstances by requesting information from the cantonal authorities, but only if the buyer consents in writing.[49]

Carrying of Guns

The carrying of a gun for defensive purposes requires a carrying license, which will be granted only if the applicant is qualified to acquire guns; demonstrates a need for the weapon to protect himself, others, or property against existing dangers; and has passed an exam to test his required theoretical knowledge and practical skill.[50] The theoretical exam tests knowledge of

•criminal provisions on violent crimes and self-defense, and necessity as a justification or excuse;

•federal and cantonal weapons law provisions;

•types of weapons and ammunition; and

•security measures and proper conduct when carrying weapons.[51]

The practical examination tests the applicant’s skill in handling the weapon, including loading, unloading, operating the safety device, and shooting.[52]

A carrying license permits the concealed carrying of a handgun.[53] No carrying license is required for the transporting of an unloaded weapon for legitimate purposes, such as travel to and from the shooting range or hunting environment, as long as the ammunition is kept separate from the weapon.[54]

Prepared by Edith Palmer, Chief,
Foreign, Comparative, and
International Law Division II
February 2013

http://www.loc.gov/law/help/firearms-control/switzerland.php#Current

More people globally are understanding that a war is coming; a war that will be fought on their streets and neighborhoods, and one that will be extraordinarily bloody.

Not sure about that.. but maybe a few folks over there will realize that all out gun bans do nothing but make victims of the citizenry.

Switzerland does not have a gun ban. They aren't arming to stockpile; they are arming to fight.

Don't think "Dani Silva" is on our side haha.

Otherwise know as Govt. sponsored terrorism.

Knew that, but I'm hoping it will spread beyond Switzerland.

It already has. Every European nation that allows people to buy firearms has had a run on purchases that has resulted in backlogs and waiting lists for firearms to come in that is unprecedented. They know what is coming, and they are arming as best they can for it.

As for the comments, I completely agree that air soft nerds are some goofy mofos who should probably not be anywhere near real firearms.

Maybe some of our Euro members will know if there's been any discussion on lightening up on the gun bans/restrictions in any Euro countries?

Paint this picture:Bad guys come into a building trying to start some stuff and are met with overwhelming firepower.

I long for the day when good folks take it to the bad guys.

It happens more frequently than you think. But it doesn't fit the media's agenda and so it never makes the news.

You may be mistaking Switzerland with California!

DS has been brainwashed quite well. Probably is speaking at the DNC tonight.

I know I am in the minority on the fire, but we need a similar Federal license in the US to cut down on those who really shouldn't have firearms.

The Constitution ensures that we can have firearms, but it it also says we should be "well regulated."

The Constitution was written for white men who were landowners and who were "responsible". At the time, it included men who fought duels and it is doubtful they were responsible, only privileged.

While the courts have modified this for modern times, it appears to me firearms should be limited to responsible people through licensing.

For those who fear confiscation, look at the gun control act of 1934. Those folks who comply can own fully automatic weapons, silencers and short barreled weapons. Show me where class III folks have ever been harassed by government if they complied.

By the way, I have been a life member of the NRA since 1966.

Dear God, the stupid is astounding.

Read the f'kin' 2A. Then, read it again until you actually understand it.

No doubt you were part of the NRA that sold us out in 1968 and during the 1970s.

You quite obviously do not know any more about what the phrase "well regulated" means, than you know what "shall not be infringed" means.

The Constitution was "written for old white men?" What utter nonsense.

A "Federal Bureau of Gun Licensing" set up and controlled by Obama or Hillary would surely be a wonderful solution to keeping guns out of the "wrong hands," wouldn't it?

L.W.

Would either of you gentlemen like to comment on why we can keep class III weapons?

Im not sure why, but more than ever I pause and ask myself " am I really having this conversation with an adult"?

because there is revenue in it for .gov

Would you like to explain how the NFA is NOT an infringement? We are "allowed" to keep Class IIIs because the Feds have infringed upon the 2A and spineless f'ks like you within the NRA have allowed them - in fact aided and abetted them - to do so.

Now, would you like to comprehend what "Full Faith & Credit" means to state licenses and why state control of the 2A is far preferable to a Fed monopoly (hint: 10th Amendment, combined with the 2A)? Would you like to consider what the actual language of the 2A means, and not what you think it means?

Yep, no damned wonder the NRA sold us out in 1968 and throughout the 1970s.

Yes you are in the minority.

A [bleep] license will do nothing to keep firearms out of the hands of those bent on mischief.

You are an incredibly stupid person.


Mike

For the swiss it's the threat of terrorism. For the US it's the threat of the Enemies Domestic running the regime.

Found the Hillary supporter....

Well regulated in 1789 meant well trained, not under the thumb of the government. The Founding Fathers in their writings made clear their fear of a strong central government with a large standing. Therefore the citizen soldier or militiaman was to be a strong deterrent to keep our government from becoming a brute force like Britain had been.

You are speaking to an adult. It is only the children who have stooped to swearing and calling me bad names because that's all they can do.

Surely there are other members of the fire who are tired of the same 15-20 people who dominate it with it with their opinions that the government is bad, their version of the constitution is good, the South was right and we need to return to the gold standard.

We have very serious problems with firearms in this country and what you guys preach isn't helping. I want RESPONSIBLE people to have firearms and that requires checking if they are.

I don't fear the government because the Constitution set up a system of checks and balances, and I figure I am still a part of the government with my vote. To say a president is going to eliminate a part of the constitution without going through state legislatures and the courts is silly.

So, in other words, you can my address any of the points presented to you. Got it.

Part of that system of checks and balances is the right of the people to keep & bear arms.

I am part of that government with my vote AND my gun.

...and you are still stupid


Mike

Very serious problems? Such as the homicide rate being at an almost all time low since records started being kept in 1906?

That kind of serious problem?

Or is it maybe that you're just another guy who fell for the mainstream media's paranois and ignorance?

The serious problem is that the US homicide rate is four times the rate of most Western European countries, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and Eight times the rate of Switzerland where most have firearms and those that do are licensed.

This has nothing to do with paranoia/ignorance just looking at cold hard data available to all.

Subtract a certain ethnic factor not as significantly represented in those other countries and then compare homicide rates per capita.

Further subtract the other ethnic factor not significantly present in those other countries and, again on a per capita basis, the US of A starts to look downright peaceful.

Would you care to comment on why you keep watching MSNBC?

I know a lot of "well regulated" men, friends and family that take it upon themselves regularly to maintain a well regulated state.

Their muskets are in good repair and they have a good supply of powder and ball. When the day comes that those folks have to prove to the king or queen, that they're well regulated and licensed, that's the day that powder and ball gets used.

If you think the "it can't happen here" mentality is strong in the U.S., you need to talk to some "(wo)man on the street" Euro types. Rome is burning, and these people are far closer and far more oblivious to it.

While educating yourself on the other fine points made to your incredible lack of comprehension, take a peek at the SCOTUS decision and history surrounding US vs Miller to see how far wrong that deal went...

I am not 100% convinced they are doing everything they could...

It has ALWAYS been higher in the US than in some other countries.

Never been any different.

The ONLY think you can confiscate to make a difference is all handguns, which is something like 85% to 90% of firearm homicides.

That ain't happening without overturning Heller and the 2nd Amendment.

I do encourage you to apply to emigrate to Canada or France or Germany though.

I think it's very important that you feel safe. And that's not going to happen here. So leave.

The data is soft and extremely mushy...

Who is doing the counting?

What are they counting?

Why are they counting?

When do they count?

How do they count?

Include suicides in the US numbers but nowhere else and the numbers are close. Exclude suicides and the even with the race issues the US drops a bunch of places.

Just use race and compare homeland numbers to US numbers and the answers are pretty obvious it ain't the guns causing the problems...

We do not have a gun problem, we have a black problem. If you adjust black crime out of the equation we have one of the least violent societies.

And we have a revolving door justice system problem that keeps the violent criminals out on the street. In Chicago the police present about FIFTY good, clean cases of felon in possession or possession in the commission of a felony for every ONE case that is prosecuted as such.

Government has no more right to license our ownership of guns than it does to license reading a newspaper or attending church, for example.

Repeatedly throughout the 20th century gun license lists were used to seize arms from the public when a despotic government came into power. For instance Jews in Europe were in grave danger under Hitler's gun licensing scheme and the public in general came into grave danger when POL Pot seized civilian arms.

As for Class III weapons we are not allowed to keep them in the sense that we are allowed to keep other arms because no more are allowed to be made for private ownership and with only a couple hundred thousand in circulation the supply is so restricted that only the wealthy can own them. They managed to pull off this infringement by starting off with licensing the NFA arms.

Nice summation

Suppose KYwindageII stands to make a buck if there were a "licensing" system in place. Could be why this guy wants licensing. KY, you involved in any gun training interests?

22,000+ Federal, State and Municipal guns laws in America and you think more regulation is the answer to reducing gun crimes?

Critical thinking does not appear to be your strength.

1934 NFA amounted to a practical ban. The $200 tax stamp required by the act was a barrier to all but the very wealthy at the time. Inflation has since undermined it, hence the boom in silencers and SBR registrations.

KYWINDAGE II, this isn't you, is it??



L.W.