Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Terror fears trigger Swiss run on guns

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!