What applies in our project countries also applies in Switzerland: more restricted access to weapons means fewer deaths and fewer victims. Our many years of experience in preventing violence is the reason why terre des hommes schweiz is now also supporting the newly founded Platform for a Sustainable Gun Law. Its aim is to create a high standard of firearms legislation throughout Europe and ultimately to save lives.
In December 2017, the announcement by RUAG (a state-owned Swiss arms and ammunition manufacturer) of its intention to expand into Brazil came as a surprise. terre des hommes schweiz then joined forces with 24 other organizations to prevent the necessary relaxation of export regulations. This is why we are now also supporting the Platform for a Sustainable Arms Law, which was presented to the public this morning. The platform is an association of SP Switzerland, the Swiss Police Officers’ Association, the umbrella organization of psychiatric and psychotherapeutic doctors and other organizations. Its aim is to make access to weapons more difficult.
As in Brazil, so in Switzerland
Our position on the RUAG case and Brazil was clear: there are numerous studies that prove that more available weapons also mean more deaths. Many murders with firearms are committed in the heat of the moment, for example during fights in a bar. The link between availability and deaths also applies to Switzerland: in 1998 (the last year before the current Weapons Act came into force) there were still over 460 firearm-related deaths, but this figure has since halved to around 200 per year thanks to various legal improvements. For this reason, it is important to continue our work in the prevention of violence in the program countries and to represent it in Switzerland.
Raising the level of protection throughout Europe
In contrast to the relaxation of arms exports (which the Federal Council is considering), as a member of the platform we support the Federal Council in implementing the weapons directives coming from the EU in Switzerland – if possible without further exceptions or special cases. The creation of a high pan-European standard will help to raise the level of security throughout Europe. Many forms of crime can only be combated effectively across borders. At the same time, effective firearms legislation contributes to suicide prevention, counteracts domestic violence (especially against women) and generally increases security in Europe and Switzerland.
