Publication Date: 20.11.2025
Overview
- Author: Felix Müller
- Source: Tages-Anzeiger
- Publication Date: 20.11.2025
- Reading Time: approx. 3-4 minutes
- Topic: Return of pocket ammunition for Swiss soldiers
Summary
The bourgeois majority in the Council of States committee wants to reverse an 18-year-old security measure. The reason: The Ukraine war has allegedly changed everything.
The key points:
- 7 to 5 votes in the SiK-S for the reintroduction of pocket ammunition
- Since 2007, Swiss soldiers have kept their assault rifles at home without ammunition
- Abolition occurred due to repeated homicides and suicides with army weapons
- SVP Councillor Werner Salzmann and FDP Councillor Josef Dittli cite "changed security situation" as main argument
- SP Councillor Franziska Roth criticizes: Scientifically proven successes in suicide and femicide prevention are being undone
- Suicides with army weapons have indeed decreased since 2007
- Motion still needs to pass through Council of States and National Council
Opportunities & Risks
Opportunities:
- Faster response capability in hypothetical threat scenarios
- Decentralized ammunition storage less vulnerable than central depots
- Fulfillment of the original militia concept of the Swiss Army
Risks:
- Increase in suicides and homicides with army weapons (historically proven)
- Heightened risk of femicides in domestic violence
- Ammunition in private households harder to control
Looking to the Future
Short-term (1 year): Political debate in both chambers, probably along the usual bourgeois-left lines. Intensive discussions about security vs. prevention.
Medium-term (5 years): If implemented, first measurable impacts on suicide and crime statistics. Possible adjustments or renewed discussions if negative developments occur.
Long-term (10-20 years): Fundamental question about the role of the militia army in a changed Europe. Possibly further security policy reforms depending on geopolitical developments.
Fact Check
Solidly documented:
- Suicides with army weapons have decreased since 2007
- Pocket ammunition was abolished in 2007 due to homicides and suicides
- Committee decision with 7 to 5 votes occurred
Still to be verified:
- Concrete figures on the decline of suicides with army weapons
[⚠️ Still to be verified] - Actual vulnerability of central ammunition depots
[⚠️ Still to be verified] - Whether the Federal Council really envisioned a return in 2007 if the situation changed
[⚠️ Still to be verified]
Brief Assessment
A committee majority wants to reverse a proven preventive measure out of fear of hypothetical threats. A vague "changed security situation" stands against scientifically proven successes in suicide prevention. The question is: Does the theoretical possibility of an attack on Switzerland justify the risk of additional deaths in everyday life?
Three Critical Questions
Proportionality: Is it really responsible to sacrifice proven prevention successes for a highly unlikely attack scenario – or is this more about symbolic politics?
Transparency with facts: Why are no concrete figures given on the decline in suicides, and how was the alleged vulnerability of central ammunition depots actually assessed?
Real innovation or regression: Wouldn't there be more modern ways to improve the army's response capability without reverting to an 18-year-old practice that was deliberately abolished?