Swiss to vote on gun law

GENEVA: Switzerland, which has the highest rate of suicide by firearms in Europe, votes Sunday on whether to abolish its long-standing tradition of letting citizens keep army-issued weapons at home.

The referendum, launched by a coalition of non-governmental groups, the Church and centre-left parties, wants the weapons to be kept in armouries instead.

The people's initiative is seeks to abolish the practice of allowing those on military service to take home their government-issue assault rifles even after they leave the army.

The practice was once a core part of the country's defence strategy, which was in part aimed at deterring invasion with the threat that citizens, mainly men, are combat-ready at any sign of trouble.

According to official data, about two million firearms are in circulation in this Alpine country of about seven million inhabitants. But there are an estimated 240,000 more unregistered weapons.

For the proposal to be passed, it will require the support of the majority of Swiss citizens and of the Swiss cantons.

ORIGINAL SOURCE