#automatic weapons

[Herb Block Foundation]

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Americans want gun control.  :: May 1, 2023

ROBERT B. HUBBELL

MAY 1, 2023

         Americans mourn for the victims of the weekend gun violence in Texas and the Texans forced to live in a society that glorifies guns above public safety. The details of two shootings over the weekend are horrifying. In the first, neighbors asked a man shooting an assault rifle in his front yard at 11:00 PM to stop because he was waking sleeping infants in the neighbors’ home. The man with the assault rifle then executed five of the neighbors in their home—including an eight-year-old boy. The gunman remains at large. Governor Abbott said nothing for 24 hours (other than releasing a photo of his golden retriever). When he finally commented, he tried to diminish the horror of the executions by describing the victims as “illegal immigrants.” See Business Insider, Gov. Abbott Calls Texas Mass Shooting Victims 'Illegal Immigrants'.

         In a second killing, a man on a date was scammed out of $40 by someone pretending to be a parking valet. When the man learned he had been scammed, he shot and killed the scammer, then returned to the restaurant to finish his dinner with his date. He has been arrested.

         When everyone is armed, the temptation to solve every disagreement by resorting to arms is overwhelming. The killings are sickening, and the lawless situation is dispiriting. But . . . there is reason to hope. All Americans are tired of the senseless killings that are the inevitable result of an armed populace. Fox News conducted a poll that confirms that a majority of Americans—including Republicans—now favor enhanced regulations of firearms. See Mom’s Demand Action, New Fox News Polling Confirms Popularity of Gun Safety Laws Among Democrats, Republicans, and Gun Owners.

         Moms Demand Action summarizes the key points of the Fox polls as follows:

87% of Americans support requiring criminal background checks on all gun buyers, including 83% support from gun-owning households.

81% of Americans support improving enforcement of existing gun laws.

81% of Americans support raising the legal age to buy a gun to 21, including 76% of gun-owning households.

80% of Americans support allowing police to take guns from those considered a danger to themselves or others, also known as Red Flag laws, including 76% of gun-owning households.

61% of Americans support banning assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons, including 50% support from gun-owning households.

         But Republican legislatures are not able to restrain themselves. They are captives of the NRA and the minority of Americans who value guns above all else. The Fox poll suggests that Republicans are vulnerable on a core issue going into 2024. They have picked the wrong side on guns and reproductive liberty. And the economy.

         The fact that Republicans seem hell-bent on creating the worst platform possible for 2024 does nothing to reduce the sting and sorrow of the latest mass shootings. But there is a path forward for Democrats as Americans come to understand the dark future that Republicans are plotting.

For those of you in the US, here are some facts about guns you may not know:

1. There is no evidence violent video games lead to gun violence.

2. There is, however, evidence that white supremacy, domestic abuse, and nationalism are the top indicators of gun violence.

3. There is no link between mental illness and gun violence. Mentally ill people are not more likely to commit mass shootings. Over half of people in the US could be diagnosed with at least one mental illness. Don’t contribute to the stigma by suggesting mentally ill people are violent.

4. It is unlikely that any number of guns can save us from a tyrannical government. While we must support people’s right to defend themselves, mass distribution of semi-automatic weapons isn’t the way to do it.

Swiss GUn Law - According to the Library of Congress:

“Switzerland has a comprehensive gun-control regime that is governed by federal law and implemented by the cantons.  This regime may be somewhat less restrictive than that of other European countries, yet since 2008 it has complied with European Union requirements.  The Swiss Weapons Act requires an acquisition license for handguns and a carrying license for the carrying of any permitted firearm for defensive purposes.  Exceptions exist for hunters.  Automatic weapons are banned.”

Key Takeaways:

The Switzerland Gun Laws implemented according to The Weapons Act:

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.

Fully automatic guns are banned.

An applicant for a weapons license must be at least eighteen years of age.

Ownership is denied if the applicant is under guardianship, has given cause for suspicion that he/she would endanger themselves or others, or if the applicant has a criminal record with a conviction for a violent crime or of several convictions for nonviolent crimes

The acquisition license is required only if a weapon is acquired from a dealer.

No license is required for transactions between private individuals, but the seller is required to follow the above stipulations.

The carrying of a gun for defensive purposes requires a carrying license.

A Carrying License requires there applicant to prove the need for the weapon to protect himself, others, or property against existing dangers.

A Carrying License requires passing an exam to test his required theoretical knowledge and practical skill. Testing includes but limited to:

The applicant’s skill in handling the weapon, including loading, unloading, operating the safety device, and shooting.

Federal and cantonal weapons law provisions.

Types of weapons and ammunition.

Security measures and proper conduct when carrying weapons.

Criminal provisions on violent crimes and self-defense, and necessity as a justification or excuse.

The Militia System

In Switzerland, military service is compulsory for all able-bodied men, and alternative civil service is only available for conscientious objectors.  Those unwilling to serve must pay a fine.Conscription begins at age nineteen, and the duty to serve ends between the ages of thirty-four and fifty, depending on the rank of the militiaman.

Militiamen are issued personal equipment, which includes a personal weapon and ammunition.The militiaman is authorized to keep the weapon in his home, unless he decides to deposit it in his unit’s armory. When the militiaman retires, he may keep the personal weapon, provided it has been properly maintained by the qualified technicians of his military unit.

If there is danger of the abuse or improper handling or maintenance of the weapon, the commandant of the military unit will confiscate the personal weapon. The police, courts, and prosecutors may inform the commandant of circumstances that call for the confiscation of the weapon. The abuse or mishandling of weapons is punishable either by a disciplinary measure or by imprisonment or a fine, depending on the circumstances.

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