Incoming Swiss FM reconsiders gun lobby groups membership

Geneva Oct 17 (IANS) Switzerland s incoming Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has been questioned about the request he made to join a pro-weapons lobby group just nine days before being voted into the national cabinet.

According to the Swiss News Agency ATS Cassis who is scheduled to take up his new post on November 1 said he is reconsidering the decision after questions arose about the groups he joined Xinhua reported.

The incoming minister issued a statement via the Swiss Federal Chancellery saying he is evaluating his membership of several associations including Pro Tell and a Canton Ticino group called "Liberta e Valori".

Both organisations advocate the "liberal and legal bearing of arms".

Cassis position is not illegal ATS reported although the explicit opposition of Pro Tell to the EU regulations on the control of arms could cause difficulties for him.

Switzerland is a member of the Schengen agreement on the movement of people in the members that have signed the accord and it has strong regulations regarding the control of arms.

--IANS
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