Membership of gun lobby soars amid arms law debate
The group is aiming for 20,000 members by the end of the year.
Keystone
Switzerland’s grassroots gun lobby Pro TellExternal link, which advocates for liberal firearms laws, has seen its membership increase by 44% over one year.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SDA-ATS/ac
Between June 2017 and April 2018, the number of members rose from around 8,700 to almost 12,500. This at a time when the government has submitted gun reform laws to parliament. The aim of the legal changes is to bring Swiss legislation in line with the European Union directive aimed at tightening firearm regulations by the end of 2019.
“This increase shows that more and more citizens are worried about their rights and freedoms in this country,” Jean-Luc Addor, interim president of the group, told the Swiss News Agency (SDA-ATS).
The group is aiming for 20,000 members by the end of the year. The influential lobby – Switzerland’s equivalent of the American National Rifle Association (NRA) – has already announced that it will launch a referendum if parliament votes in favour of a tougher arms law.
The EU directive aims to make access more difficult to arms that can cause a large number of deaths, such as some semi-automatic weapons. Switzerland is not an EU member, but is a member of the Schengen Agreement on freedom of movement. As such, it must also reform its legislation or risk its Schengen membership.
The Swiss government has nevertheless obtained some concessions. With regard to arms for military service, they may still be kept at home after service has ended, and they may be used for sports. Twenty-shot guns will not be prohibited. Despite the concessions, the government proposal was criticised by the conservative right Swiss People’s Party, shooting associations, hunters and military officers.
More
Opinion
More
What can the Swiss teach the US about guns?
This content was published on
In the wake of another school shooting, a former police officer and Zurich resident argues that it’s time for the US to follow the Swiss example.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Swiss parliament calls for deeper EU security cooperation
This content was published on
The House of Representatives has called on the Swiss government to take a more proactive approach to European security policy.
Switzerland has no US-style fentanyl problem, says health minister
This content was published on
There is very little chance of a US-sized fentanyl epidemic in Switzerland, says health minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider.
This content was published on
Two fish species recently discovered in Switzerland have been called fluvicola and ommata, following an appeal to the public for names.
Convicted ex-shipowner achieves partial success in Swiss court
This content was published on
The Federal Supreme Court orders lower court to reassess part of its verdict against former Swiss shipowner Hans-Jürg Grunder.
This content was published on
A Swiss moratorium on the genetic engineering of plants, which expires at the end of 2025, could be extended for five years.
SWISS airline achieves second-best profit in history
This content was published on
Revenues soared for Swiss International Air Lines in 2024, contributing to the second-largest profit in the company's history.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss government puts gun law reforms to parliament
This content was published on
The Swiss government has submitted to parliament gun law reform proposals to bring Switzerland into line with a European directive.
This content was published on
Switzerland has about 9% more guns than it did a year ago, according to a platform where owners can register their weapons.
How do the Swiss deal with firearms? Your questions, answered
This content was published on
Amid US gun law debates, we answer your questions about guns in Switzerland, including why a place thought to have so many has few mass shootings.
This content was published on
In the wake of another school shooting, a former police officer and Zurich resident argues that it’s time for the US to follow the Swiss example.
Future Swiss foreign minister quits gun lobby groups
This content was published on
Switzerland’s incoming foreign minister Ignazio Cassis has quit two pro-weapons lobby groups over negative reactions to news of his membership.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.