Posted on 08/21/2026 5:16:18 AM PDT by marktwain
By Dean Weingarten | Contributing writer
Several countries in eastern Europe have instituted shall issue concealed carry permit systems.
Believe it or not, self-defense is making a comeback.
Before World War One (WWI), people commonly carried concealed weapons through most of Europe. England had no gun control to speak of. Neither did France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, or the Scandinavian countries. Some countries required people to have weapons. Switzerland and Montenegro required firearms be kept at home or be owned as part of the defense plan for the nation. The Scandinavian countries had a long tradition of militia service. Finland, although under Russian rule, had a strong tradition of civilian militia service.
The kingdom of Montenegro was famous for its massive revolvers. In 1910, the king of Montenegro (Nikola I) issued a requirement that every male subject had to own a Gasser system revolver.
Image of top break and solid frame Montenegro revolvers. Courtesy Rock Island Auction.
Both top break and solid frame Gasser type Montenegrin revolvers satisfied the requirement of owning a revolver in 1910. They were chambered in the 11.3 x 36mmR cartridge, an effective .44 caliber. It was more powerful than the .45 Colt. It fired a 310 grain bullet at about 1000 fps. It was usually carried openly. It is a large revolver to carry concealed.
Strict control of firearms, especially handguns, was instituted in nearly all of Europe between WWI and WWII, and certainly after WWII.
Germany had virtually no gun control until 1919. Registration of firearms was instituted in France in 1936-38. Italian strict gun laws were put in place by the Fascists in 1931.
(Excerpt) Read more at thegunmag.com ...
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GREAT
That is certainly good news. Hopefully the countries suffering from knife attacks can turn it into someone bring a knife to a gun fight.
Did he own stock in the company?
Wikipedia appears to confirm my suspicions. "the King owned shares in Leopold Gasser Waffenfabrik in Vienna "
The first automatic pistol that was cheap and widespread....ie the grandfather of every modern pistol was made by John Moses Browning for FN in Belgium. The FN 1900.
It saved the company and with several more Browning designs went on to become one of the foremost arms makers in the world. Of course, as soon as they virtually abolished self defense, the Europeans started acting like that was "progress". Same with implementing socialism. I'd call both giant steps backwards the Europeans would do well to rid themselves of.
Some folks simply don’t want to put up with Putin.
Switzerland bans concealed carry? I thought Switzerland has some of the most permissive gun laws in the world.
What does a government do after it has confiscated its subjects weapons?
Anything it wants to.
Switzerland bans concealed carry? I thought Switzerland has some of the most permissive gun laws in the world.
The European Union applied substantial pressure on them. Much of their commerce is with Europe.
They made their laws much more restrictive in 1998, as I recall.
It had to go through a referendum. Women and Socialists pushed for much more restrictive gun laws and the referendum passed.
Last armed invasion of the USA was in 1812.
Even the Japanese in 1942 feared the “rifle behind every blade of grass.”
In the last 250 years how many armies have marched across unarmed Europe and Asia!
The Japanese occupied the Alaskan Islands of Adak and Kiska in June of 1942, and held Adak for nearly a year, and Kiska for over a year.
So, during WWII, some American territory was invaded for a period of time...
Good to go in Northern Ireland.
Someone should make a movie about all this.
The gun control was started by the totalitarian regimes (communists and fascists) who were threatened.
Pancho Villa raided across the border into New Mexico in the 19-teens. More of the Mexican raiders were killed than Americans. Then as now, Americans were heavily armed.
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