Question about Swiss gun laws

Hi there, to all our Swiss members!

I've noticed that some of you guys have full auto guns. In Switzerland, what are the steps involved with obtaining guns in general, and what are the steps involved with obtaining full auto guns? I ask, because in the next few months, I'll be spending some time in Europe, and I'm interested in exactly how all the varied guns laws work throughout the EU.

Merci à tous nos amis Suisses!

Hey...

Well... that depends from Region to Region actually... because we have 26 states (I believe so), you are allowed to have everything in everyone, however, it is more difficult to optain stuff in different regions.
I myself can for example speak for Zug, where it is fairly difficult. What you need to optain is a "Sonderbewilligung" (= Special Permit) which entitles you to own Fullauto, Silencers, Lasers, Nightvisions and Granade Lunchers.
You can only get that one if you have the Swiss Passport, 18 years old, NO criminal reccord whatsoever and some further things which I will explain later...

The process is easy... you go to the police officer for "Weapon patents" of which there is usually only one per state. He will do an interview with you and is asking you for what you need the gun or part, how you will store it, if you had ever any psychological trouble and some further questions I forgot. Then you will send him your criminal reccord you optained from Bern and then he will decide if he gives the permission to you or not.

The permission usually entitles you to optain 3 things, meaning 3 FA guns or 3 Silencers... and costs 150fr.- (about 150$). However, you have to buy those 3 things at the same time in the same place, you can also only buy 2 things but then you lose the possibility to buy a third one.

About rules on the permission: You need to store the BCG of the gun in a safe, the gun without bolt in a further safe and the ammo in a third safe. I agreed with the officer that I just have one big Safe which has 3 compartments, because we have alarm, dogs and high security in our house. The police can watch out for this, if everything is stored correctly every few months without announcing it. Meaning they can just dropp by and see if everything is correct. They often do it (seems that they like to see houses). Or for example when the alarm in my house goes of and the police comes, they want to see if all guns are still around and walk through the whole house to see that everything is alright.

Other Kantons, other views? I know that in Zurich, it is very difficult to get the permit, because you need to be a well known gun collector that they give you the special permit, otherwise you can forget it.

Questions, corrections?

It's true, but it is necessary to clarify that full automatic weapons, lasers, silencers and grenade launchers are forbidden in Switzerland. But that we can obtain these weapons and acessoires, by asking for an exceptional authorization for forbidden weapons and accessories.
In Geneva, it's rather easy to obtain an exceptional authorization. In Zurich it's very difficult, even impossible.

For my Kalashnikov, I had gone directly to the weapons office, I had my special authorization in 15 minutes. I was able to go to take my Kalashnikov same evening.

Other thing to be clarified, it's forbidden to fire with a full automatic weapon, in full auto or semi-auto (shot by shot) mode.
You must ask a authorization to fire with full automatic gun.
On the demand, you have to mention where you go to fire, as well as the date and the hour. This authorization is valid for all full automatic weapons which you have, but only the day and the hour was mentioned on the authorization.
The violation of this rule (if you are taken) will cause dramatic consequences: all your firearms (all, not just full automatic) will be seized, without exception, and the ban on any future acquisition.

On the other hand, we can use without limitation lasers and silencers obtained with special authorization.

I hope that you'll understand easily what I wrote, it's not easy for me to write correctly in English.

Vash,

Don't forget to write that you need to pay with each authorisation to shoot the gun 150fr.-...

Yeah... the trouble with the shooting of the fullauto is really dumb... but I just bought myself a second SIG lower, so that I can swap...

Greetings,

and to be precises, forbidden accessories owned or bought before 1999 (accessories = lasers, suppressors) when they were still free to buy in nearly all our states, can still be owned and used nowadays legally.

they were forbidden by "myth" by politicians who knew a f..k about those things and thought that they were killer's accessories, making you able to kill people like in movies...

Useful info, guys.... Cheers

Originally Posted By Shung: and to be precises, forbidden accessories owned or bought before 1999 (accessories = lasers, suppressors) when they were still free to buy in nearly all our states, can still be owned and used nowadays legally. they were forbidden by "myth" by politicians who knew a f..k about those things and thought that they were killer's accessories, making you able to kill people like in movies...

"Hey you got a lot of silenced guns, you must be an assassin. Since you have the equipment.
Hey your wife's got a vagina, she must be a prostitute. Since she's got the equipment."

I myself have 5 Silencer's, 2 Fullauto Rifles, an Insight LAM, an Insight ATPIAL, PVS-14 and am so PROUD about it! (Even if they would call me Assassin)

Originally Posted By Dukedukensens: I myself have 5 Silencer's, 2 Fullauto Rifles, an Insight LAM, an Insight ATPIAL, PVS-14 and am so PROUD about it! (Even if they would call me Assassin)

What silencers have you?

B&T Impuls 9mm IIA Compact
B&T Impuls 9mm IIA
(Both for my P226)

B&T Rotex III 5.56 Compact
B&T Rotex III 5.56
(Both for my SG552, SG551)

B&T SIG SSG-3000 7.62 Suppressor
(well don't need to say for what that one is)

and YES I am a big fan of Brugger and Thomet.

WOW !! In my language I would say : "On se fait pas chier !!"

I'm fan of B&T too, my M4 came from Oberland Arms "In the white", but she was finished & assembled in Switzerland by B&T (handgard from B&T)

Nice stuff !!!

i'd love to see (hear) the Rotex III in action to compare with mine !

Originally Posted By Dukedukensens: Vash, Don't forget to write that you need to pay with each authorisation to shoot the gun 150fr.-... Yeah... the trouble with the shooting of the fullauto is really dumb... but I just bought myself a second SIG lower, so that I can swap... Greetings,

you have to pay $150fr EACH time you go shooting?

Originally Posted By coctailer: Originally Posted By Dukedukensens: Vash, Don't forget to write that you need to pay with each authorisation to shoot the gun 150fr.-... Yeah... the trouble with the shooting of the fullauto is really dumb... but I just bought myself a second SIG lower, so that I can swap... Greetings, you have to pay $150fr EACH time you go shooting?

Yes, every authorization is valid only in the daytime and the defined place. But we can fire with all the full auto weapons which we want.
150.-Chf an exceptional price for an exceptional authorization ! To prevent us from firing it full auto too often!

Originally Posted By Vash_from_Feulibre: Originally Posted By coctailer: Originally Posted By Dukedukensens: Vash, Don't forget to write that you need to pay with each authorisation to shoot the gun 150fr.-... Yeah... the trouble with the shooting of the fullauto is really dumb... but I just bought myself a second SIG lower, so that I can swap... Greetings, you have to pay $150fr EACH time you go shooting? Yes, every authorization is valid only in the daytime and the defined place. But we can fire with all the full auto weapons which we want. 150.-Chf an exceptional price for an exceptional authorization ! To prevent us from firing it full auto too often!

That sucks...............I like to shoot full-auto often

you are right . IT SUCKS !

It's a stupid law which dont affect rich people... Strange hey.. its often the main property of laws...

I'm assuming that if you live in the forest, you cannot shoot them in the back yard?

well.. Switzerland is a small country full of people.. It's hard to shoot somewhere and be unoticed.. even more with a full auto.

So, you can do it, but be prepared to see your gear seized... (ah yes, Swiss people like to call the police....)

Well if you come to the USA, I'll take ya shooting. It is pretty relaxed here, Lots of MGs.

I need to hang out in Switz next time I come over.
I try to get to Germany (Bavaria) twice a year.

I need to hang out in Switz next time I come over.


just give me a wizz ! you are welcome !

Originally Posted By coctailer: Well if you come to the USA, I'll take ya shooting. It is pretty relaxed here, Lots of MGs.

I am not certain, but I think we have WAY more MG's per head here in Switzerland than you do over there.
I think there was once a study and Switzerland was on the first place with being the most armed per head or so... at least I heard of that.

Originally Posted By Dukedukensens: Originally Posted By coctailer: Well if you come to the USA, I'll take ya shooting. It is pretty relaxed here, Lots of MGs. I am not certain, but I think we have WAY more MG's per head here in Switzerland than you do over there. I think there was once a study and Switzerland was on the first place with being the most armed per head or so... at least I heard of that.

Definitely true per head. I meant lots of MGs here where I am. The rest of the USA can be very restrictive.
Oregon has very good gun laws. I live on the border of Oregon and Washington.
Washington only allows a few select people to own MGs. I am a manufacturer, so the restriction doesn't apply to me.
I usually go across the river to Oregon and shoot with friends. Large variety of autos.
Uzi, Mac-10, AK, M16, FAL, and TONS of HKs.

Are most of your MGs the service rifle?

yes..

My only one is.

So if you can own an m16 on a special permit, how much is it to purchase one? Are they readily available?

Yes they are... I have a Colt M4A1 (2400fr.-) and a Colt M16A2 (2600Fr.-), there are way cheaper variants like the A1 or Vietnam, they give 'em out for 1200fr.- or so.

Greetings...

Originally Posted By Dukedukensens: Yes they are... I have a Colt M4A1 (2400fr.-) and a Colt M16A2 (2600Fr.-), there are way cheaper variants like the A1 or Vietnam, they give 'em out for 1200fr.- or so. Greetings...

That's a fair amount. I presume that SIGs are dirt cheap though.

Originally Posted By Lancair: That's a fair amount. I presume that SIGs are dirt cheap though.

Are you kidding me? The SIG Rifles begin at 3000fr.- unless you take your service rifle home, then it is 100Fr.- for yours.

That reminds me, must go to Switzerland again next year… had to give it a miss this year due to ill health,

Originally Posted By vito113: That reminds me, must go to Switzerland again next year… had to give it a miss this year due to ill health,

Get well soon, you also need to pay me a visit, Nick had a blast, and if I know that you are coming over I'll really get something special organised.

Tony

Originally Posted By vito113: That reminds me, must go to Switzerland again next year… had to give it a miss this year due to ill health,

I wish I had full auto that close.

Wow, I never knew Switzerland had such good laws.

Maybe Ill have to see about emigrating...how is your immigration/quality of life ect?

Originally Posted By B00M: Wow, I never knew Switzerland had such good laws. Maybe Ill have to see about emigrating...how is your immigration/quality of life ect?

Quality of life? Excellent… Immigration? As an EU citizen you can live there, but it can take 10-15 years to get citizenship, if at all.

Originally Posted By vito113: Quality of life? Excellent…

You might want to think about that one once again, check the suicide rate. (we are with pride, number one)
I mean that is a reason for me to leave Switzerland, that is why I will study in the US. The only thing I like about Switzerland is that I can have all the toys I want there. Otherwise, it is not really interesting there.

Originally Posted By Dukedukensens: Originally Posted By vito113: Quality of life? Excellent… You might want to think about that one once again, check the suicide rate. (we are with pride, number one) I mean that is a reason for me to leave Switzerland, that is why I will study in the US. The only thing I like about Switzerland is that I can have all the toys I want there. Otherwise, it is not really interesting there.

It's a trueism of life that the higher the quality of life, the higher the suicide rate… look at Sweden.


Switzeland is nice if you subscribe to the prnciples of 'Alles in ordnung'… but a let your hair down, tear up the tarmac rowdy place? Nah.

we are sheeps... :)

But I think there is quite an exageration here.

You live fine in Switzerland.. better than in most european country is my guess.. But you have to accept a certain mentality of people... Follow rules..

Btw.. I'll trade it for a life in MONTANA, big sky country, ANY TIME !!!

Originally Posted By Shung: we are sheeps... :) But I think there is quite an exageration here. You live fine in Switzerland.. better than in most european country is my guess.. But you have to accept a certain mentality of people... Follow rules.. Btw.. I'll trade it for a life in MONTANA, big sky country, ANY TIME !!!

And stop for Herr Polizei when he says 'HALT!

And stop for Herr Polizei when he says 'HALT!

well, not when I have the gun...

Originally Posted By vito113: Originally Posted By Shung: we are sheeps... :) But I think there is quite an exageration here. You live fine in Switzerland.. better than in most european country is my guess.. But you have to accept a certain mentality of people... Follow rules.. Btw.. I'll trade it for a life in MONTANA, big sky country, ANY TIME !!! And stop for Herr Polizei when he says 'HALT!

Unless you're Jason Bourne, that is...

Originally Posted By Lancair: Originally Posted By vito113: Originally Posted By Shung: we are sheeps... :) But I think there is quite an exageration here. You live fine in Switzerland.. better than in most european country is my guess.. But you have to accept a certain mentality of people... Follow rules.. Btw.. I'll trade it for a life in MONTANA, big sky country, ANY TIME !!! And stop for Herr Polizei when he says 'HALT! Unless you're Jason Bourne, that is...

He had a SIG, I had a big van and wanted to wade through the washed out road… he said Nein, I carried on, he 'got my attention'… I stopped.

Originally Posted By vito113: Originally Posted By Lancair: Originally Posted By vito113: Originally Posted By Shung: we are sheeps... :) But I think there is quite an exageration here. You live fine in Switzerland.. better than in most european country is my guess.. But you have to accept a certain mentality of people... Follow rules.. Btw.. I'll trade it for a life in MONTANA, big sky country, ANY TIME !!! And stop for Herr Polizei when he says 'HALT! Unless you're Jason Bourne, that is... He had a SIG, I had a big van and wanted to wade through the washed out road… he said Nein, I carried on, he 'got my attention'… I stopped.

Did he merely call out "HALT", or was he posting a draw-down story on SIGcom that night?

Originally Posted By Lancair: Originally Posted By vito113: Originally Posted By Lancair: Originally Posted By vito113: Originally Posted By Shung: we are sheeps... :) But I think there is quite an exageration here. You live fine in Switzerland.. better than in most european country is my guess.. But you have to accept a certain mentality of people... Follow rules.. Btw.. I'll trade it for a life in MONTANA, big sky country, ANY TIME !!! And stop for Herr Polizei when he says 'HALT! Unless you're Jason Bourne, that is... He had a SIG, I had a big van and wanted to wade through the washed out road… he said Nein, I carried on, he 'got my attention'… I stopped. Did he merely call out "HALT", or was he posting a draw-down story on SIGcom that night?

Mr SIG went 'BANG!' into the air… always obey the word of Mr SIG

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