"Swiss vote down stricter gun laws" by Associated Press, February 14, 2011
GENEVA — Neutral Switzerland is among the best-armed nations in the world, with more guns per capita than almost any other country except the United States, Finland, and Yemen....
Yesterday, Swiss voters made sure it stays that way, rejecting a proposal to tighten the Alpine nation’s relaxed firearms laws.
The decision was hailed as a victory by gun enthusiasts, sports shooters, and supporters of Switzerland’s citizen soldier tradition....
In Switzerland, where all able-bodied men are required to perform military duty, many choose to take their army-issued rifle home after completing military service.
Gun clubs, too, remain a popular feature of village life in rural parts of the country, with children as young as 10 taking part in shooting competitions.
Also see: Sunday Shot of Uzi
Doctors, churches, and women’s groups tried and failed yesterday to require military-issued firearms to be locked in secure army depots.
They also wanted the Swiss government to establish a national gun registry and ban the sale of fully automatic weapons and pump-action rifles, arguing this would help cut incidents of domestic violence and Switzerland’s high rate of firearms suicides.
The measure — which 56.3 percent of voters rejected — had little chance of winning over the independent-minded Swiss, who have resisted the lure of joining the European Union and recently shocked the world with a vote to ban the construction of minarets.
Actually, that last one seems kind of stupid to me -- as well as a little racist.
Do synagogues raise such a stink?
--more--"
Related:
"Avalanche kills 4; 1 person missing
GENEVA — Four skiiers were killed yesterday and one person was missing after they were caught in an avalanche near the southern border with Italy, Swiss police said. They were believed to be French citizens on a skiing trip on Mont Velan (AP)."
The avalanche must have buried all the BG coverage because that's it.
