Posted on 07/28/2016 1:48:47 PM PDT by Red in Blue PA
Link only per rules.
I could be wrong but I was under the impression that all adult males in Switzerland was obliged to have a firearm.
I thought so too. Maybe that’s why we don’t hear about muzzies there?
Me Too
As I read the article, the sales boom is in pistols, revolvers, and pump shotguns. It seems to me that it might be a tad bit difficult to carry a military assault weapon in a concealed fashion. Also the military rifle held in everyone’s home has ammo constrictions that personal firearms do not.
New Trump Campaign Slogan: “ A chicken in every pot and an AR-15 in every household.”
No since 2010 things have gotten much more restrictive in Switzerland, though the shooting culture is about as healthy as you get in Europe.
You need a police issued Waffenschein or weapons pass, which is good for up to three controlled weapons before you have to apply again (50 Swiss francs) Bolt action rifles are not controlled, the are “free weapons” so to speak and can be purchased at the store with only a police check or purchased privately with a bill of sale.
Military rifles and pistols are controlled with no new automatic weapons allowed as of 1999, but self loading rifles such as the SIG510 (STGW57) and SIG550 (STG90) are allowed as long as the full automatic feature is blanked so you cannot operate the weapon in automatic. All soldiers keep their weapons at home but with no issued ammunition. Military ammunition may be purchased at a official club but must be expended at the club. Ammunition may be purchased and kept at home from dealers but it is expensive, unlike range ammunition which is around 30 cent US per round (government sponsored cost). On retirement from the army you may keep your service weapon, but you must pay to have the automatic feature removed which is around 30 Swiss francs and after 2010 apply for and receive a Waffenschein for the weapon.
The gun store mentions Wyss if rather famous as they designed a number of the target sight attachments which are popular in Swiss club shooting, which is all prone at 300 M.
While free by European standards most American gun people would find club shooting onerous, as you can do anything you want, as long as you want to shoot the Obligatory, Feldschiessen, Einzelwettschiessen and the Meisterschaft in 2 or 3 positions. That is all prone except the Meisterschaft which is kneeling and standing as well. To plink as Americans do you have to join a private range which is expensive and the do not allow much blasting either. You cannot go out and shoot on your property as is common in much of rural America, the nation is too densely populated.
US weapons are available but cost 2 to 2.5 times the cost in the US of A, die to import duties.
There is a lot more to the Swiss and guns than some folks know. I used to have a link to the “if’s, and’s or but’s” concerning Swiss firearms laws.
“I was under the impression that all adult males in Switzerland was obliged to have a firearm.”
As far as I know, military service is required. All service people are required to bring their personal firearms home while in the Reserve or Active Duty.
Many small villages have firing ranges.
We often mistake Neutral for Pacifist. The Swiss have never been pacifist.
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