What applies in our project countries is also valid for Switzerland: restricted access to weapons means fewer deaths and victims. Our many years of experience in the prevention of violence is the reason why terre des hommes schweiz now also supports the newly founded platform for a sustainable weapons law. Its aim is to create a high standard of weapons law throughout Europe and ultimately to save human lives.
In December 2017, the announcement by RUAG (Swiss state-owned arms and ammunition manufacturer) that it wanted to expand to Brazil came as a surprise. terre des hommes schweiz, together with 24 other organisations, then campaigned to prevent the necessary relaxation of export regulations. This is why we now also support the platform for a sustainable arms law, which was presented to the public this morning. The platform is an association of SP Switzerland, the Association of Police Officers, the umbrella organisation of doctors working in psychiatry and psychotherapy and other organisations. Its aim is to make access to weapons more difficult.
As in Brazil, so in Switzerland
Our position on the RUAG and Brazil case was clear: there are numerous studies that show that more available weapons also mean more deaths. For example, many murders are committed with firearms in the heat of the moment, for example during arguments in a bar. The connection between availability and deaths also applies to Switzerland: whereas in 1998 (the last year before the current Weapons Act came into force) there were still over 460 firearm deaths, this figure has since been halved to around 200 a year thanks to a variety of legal improvements. For this reason, it is important to consistently continue our work in violence prevention in the programme countries and to represent it in Switzerland.
Increase the level of protection throughout Europe
In contrast to the easing of arms exports (which the Federal Council has envisaged), we as a member of the platform support the Federal Council in its efforts to implement in Switzerland the arms directives coming from the EU - if possible without further exceptions or special cases. The creation of a high pan-European standard contributes to raising the level of security throughout Europe. Many forms of crime can only be effectively combated across borders. At the same time, an effective weapons law contributes to the prevention of suicide, counteracts domestic violence (especially against women) and generally increases security in Europe and Switzerland.
