Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Swiss Politician Attacks Military Officers' Association Over Pro-Rights Stance

Friday, May 3, 2019

Swiss Politician Attacks Military Officers' Association Over Pro-Rights Stance

As NRA-ILA previously reported, on May 19 Swiss citizens will vote in a referendum to determine whether the idyllic and well-armed mountain nation will conform their domestic gun laws to the new European Firearms Directive. Expedited following the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, the new European Firearms Directive requires European Union member states to enact a host of minimum gun control laws, including new registration and licensing requirements and restrictions on centerfire semi-automatic firearms. Switzerland is not a member of the EU, but is a member of the Schengen Area. Swiss gun control proponents have claimed that a failure to align domestic law with the European Firearms Directive would endanger the neutral nation’s Schengen status.

The Swiss shooting community, gun rights supporters, and the largest party in the National Council (the Swiss People’s Party), have joined forces to oppose the EU gun controls with the “Nein” campaign. Groups that support Switzerland’s militia-based system of national defense, such as the Schweizerische Offiziersgesellschaft (Swiss Officers' Association, or SOG), have also expressed their opposition to the EU mandate.

The SOG has roughly 22,000 members and serves as the umbrella organization for Switzerland’s regional military officers’ associations. The organization is independent of the Swiss government. According to its website (translated from the original German using Google translate) the purpose of the SOG,

is to exercise the military policy responsibility and interests of the officers within the framework of Swiss security policy. It advocates the promotion of an efficient army in terms of inventory, organization, equipment, training and leadership, as well as maintaining relations with national and international authorities and organizations with security policy objectives.

As Switzerland relies on a citizen militia as a significant component of its national defense, it is logical that an organization with these objectives would defend the right of the Swiss people to keep and bear arms. However, this defense of freedom and an armed citizenry proved too much for at least one Swiss politician.

According to an April 29 article in the French-language publication Tribune de Geneve, National Councilor Benoît Genecand has offered virulent criticism of the SOG for their stance on the referendum, in part because it is at odds with the official position of the Swiss Federal Government.

Genecand’s criticism gained further attention when President of the Society of Valais Romand Officers Roger Haupt took to Facebook to register his objection to Genecand’s comments. According to the article, Haupt explained (translated from French using Google translate), “In Switzerland, unlike other states, our army is not the guarantor of a government, but in the service of the people in the interest of the country and its people.” Haupt later reiterated his statement on Valais radio, noting, “Yes, the [SOG] encourages to refuse this law. We have a duty to be critical of our leaders. It is not because one is an officer that one does not have the right to give our opinion. Otherwise we must abolish the right to vote.” In criticizing the officers’ group Genecand had likened the SOG position to “sedition” and raised the specter of “military dictatorship.”

The SOG expressed support for Haupt, with SOG President Holenstein noting, “I am happy that he responded to the provocations of Mr. Genecand, although I would have preferred to avoid all this controversy.” Holenstein further explained that “The [SOG] is not the armed wing of the Department of Defense (DDPS). We are an independent militia association that tries to have an objective look at military objects.”

Genecand’s bizarre statements show that American politicians do not have a monopoly on fevered gun control rhetoric. NRA-ILA will continue to monitor Switzerland’s European Firearms Directive Referendum and keep American gun owners apprised of the latest developments.

TRENDING NOW
Last Chance for Gun Owners to Ask U.S. House to Amend the Reconciliation Bill

News  

Monday, May 19, 2025

Last Chance for Gun Owners to Ask U.S. House to Amend the Reconciliation Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has another chance to amend the current Reconciliation Bill making its way through Congress. The Reconciliation Bill would currently rescind the unconstitutional tax on suppressors, but it doesn’t remove them ...

Clueless Anti-gun Democrats Dig Themselves an Ever Deeper Hole

Monday, May 19, 2025

Clueless Anti-gun Democrats Dig Themselves an Ever Deeper Hole

Anyone reading the firearm-related news these days is reminded that anti-gun Democrats appear oblivious to the blunt message sent by millions of American voters last fall. Despite Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris blowing through a mountain ...

Trump DOJ Settles Lawsuits Involving Forced Reset Triggers

News  

Monday, May 19, 2025

Trump DOJ Settles Lawsuits Involving Forced Reset Triggers

On Friday, May 16, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the settlement of several lawsuits arising from the Biden-Harris regime’s attempt to reclassify forced reset triggers (FRTs) as “machineguns.” DOJ’s announcement cited President Trump’s Executive Order Protecting ...

Another Court Determines Magazines Aren’t “Arms” in Upholding Arbitrary Limits

News  

Monday, May 19, 2025

Another Court Determines Magazines Aren’t “Arms” in Upholding Arbitrary Limits

Last week, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld the state’s ban on magazines that hold over ten rounds, overturning a lower court order that had deemed it unconstitutional. The 7-2 decision in State v. Gator’s Custom ...

Rocky Times for Gun Owners in the Rocky Mountain State

News  

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Rocky Times for Gun Owners in the Rocky Mountain State

As the Colorado legislative session closes, its 2025 edition will long be remembered and lamented as a historic assault on the Second Amendment.

House Committee on Ways and Means Advances Legislation Involving Suppressors

News  

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

House Committee on Ways and Means Advances Legislation Involving Suppressors

Early this morning, The House Committee on Ways & Means, led by Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO-08) finished a markup of their section of the Reconciliation Bill. Included in this legislation was a provision which would ...

Arizona: Governor Hobbs Vetoes Three Pro-Gun Bills Passed by Legislature

Friday, May 16, 2025

Arizona: Governor Hobbs Vetoes Three Pro-Gun Bills Passed by Legislature

Despite strong support from the Arizona Legislature, Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed Senate Bills 1014, 1020, and 1143, each of which sought to protect and enhance the rights of law-abiding gun owners in the Grand Canyon ...

Illinois: Legislation to Shut Down Gun Manufacturers in Committee Tomorrow

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Illinois: Legislation to Shut Down Gun Manufacturers in Committee Tomorrow

Tomorrow, the House Gun Violence Prevention Committee will hear House Bill 3320, a dangerous proposal that could effectively shut down firearm manufacturing in Illinois. Please use the Take Action button below to contact committee members and ...

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

News  

Friday, March 21, 2025

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

On March 20, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published an interim final rule entitled, Withdrawing the Attorney General’s Delegation of Authority. That bland title belies the historic nature of the measure, which is aimed at reviving ...

Is Hogg’s time up at the DNC?

News  

Monday, May 19, 2025

Is Hogg’s time up at the DNC?

The last time we mentioned David Hogg, he had been selected to be a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and wasted no time making some (many?) regret that choice. Why? Because one of ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.