Swiss Citizens Support Tightening Of Weapons Sales Rules - Referendum Results

GENEVA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th May, 2019) The citizens of Switzerland supported tightening of rules for the sale of weapons in the country in accordance with the norms of the European Union, the results of the Sunday referendum revealed.

According to official data, almost 64 percent of the country's residents favored tightening weapons control.

Now the authorities will have to amend the legislation regulating the circulation and possession of personal small arms, including semi-automatic ones. In particular, from now on, when buying new weapons � from pistols to rifles � it will be necessary to obtain permission from the regional supervisory authorities.

In Switzerland, where virtually every citizen is a conscript and where shooting sport is very popular, such voting results indicate a turn toward the European Union. Promoters of this initiative said that if it was not supported, the country could lose its status under the Schengen Agreement. Opponents of this idea argued that this was the first step towards the disarmament of Switzerland.

In a referendum on Sunday, Swiss citizens also supported the abolition of tax preferences for foreign holdings headquartered in Switzerland. This initiative was backed by over 66 percent of respondents, so foreign and local companies will pay equal taxes in the future.