EU Tries to Disarm Swiss Veterans Over Terror Fears

After ISIS terrorists massacred 130 civilians in Paris last year, the EU decided to create a new set of laws to restrict online weapon sales and the ownership of “assault weapons.” Of course, these laws would have to be applied to all nations in the Schengen Area, which includes nations that allow passport-free travel within the EU.

However, one nation in the Schengen Area is not on board with the new gun laws. Switzerland, though not a part of the EU, does allow passport-free travel to its EU neighbors, and the Alpine nation is not pleased with a provision in this plan that would disarm their veterans.

Switzerland has long maintained mandatory military service for all male citizens, and after that service is finished, veterans are allowed to keep their rifles. If these laws took effect then that tradition would be prohibited, and thousands of veterans could be disarmed. A minister with the Swiss government tried to negotiate the ban, but the EU still demanded that veterans need psychological tests and to be members of gun clubs if they want to keep their military rifles.

The Swiss generally view the laws as a challenge to their traditions and sovereignty. Gun rights groups in the country have promised to hold a referendum, so that the people may ultimately decide if Switzerland will adhere to the new restrictions. If they vote against these gun laws, it could drive another wedge between the independent minded Swiss and the EU.