Swiss Gun Vote Today - Updated

A referendum is before Swiss voters today to abolish the tradition of citizens being allowed to keep army-issued weapons at home.

The referendum, launched by a coalition of non-governmental groups, the Church and centre-left parties, wants the weapons to be kept in armouries instead.

The people's initiative is seeks to abolish the practice of allowing those on military service to take home their government-issue assault rifles even after they leave the army.

Opinion polls have the electorate evenly divided on the issue. Results are expected to be announced soon.

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[Update - Monday morning, Central European Time]

The results are in. From The Independent:

Switzerland upheld its reputation for having one of the most liberal yet lethal firearms laws in Europe yesterday after voters overwhelmingly rejected proposals that would have obliged some two million gun owners in the country to keep their weapons in public arsenals rather than at home.

The tradition continues.