The Swiss are resisting efforts by the European Union to impose further restrictions on firearm ownership, warning that such moves could disarm thousands of law-abiding citizens, Business Insider reports.
The European Union’s proposals, which include bans on semi-automatic rifles and online firearm sales—and which would apply to Switzerland despite its non-membership in the EU due to its Schengen system of open borders—is meeting heavy resistance in the country where the tradition of former soldiers retaining their service weapons has a long history and record of success at keeping crime low and invaders at bay.
The Swiss gun rights group ProTELL warned that if the EU’s directives, which are expected to be finalized this year, are imposed in Switzerland, then they will take the matter to voters through a referendum. Christoph Blocker, vice president of the nation’s largest party, said, “When conflicts arise, Switzerland must put its sovereignty first.”
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