why should we have to apply for a mod?

session savage

Theres often threads on here talking about applying for a mod for a rifle and it got me thinkning.. whats the frikkin point of having to get permission to reduce the noise of your firearm. I cant wrap me head around why the guards have to give you permission to have a moderator. is it just down to our stupid legislation written by gob****es that wouldnt know a rifle from a soggy old potato.

disclaimer: if im missing something obvious here I blame sleep deprivation.

Rovi

Blame Hollywood and sensationalist journalists

daveob007

Its a complete loade of s**te,no sound reason for it,just as a gun becomes more dangerous if it has a pistol grip or looks like a military assault gun,or a six shot revolver is restriced as opposed to 5 shot,our firearm laws are full of utter bull sh**e,i could go on and on and on we all know the issues.:mad::mad::mad::mad:

landkeeper

just be thankful your not living in the uk

Glensman

landkeeper wrote: »

just be thankful your not living in the uk

Mods are easy to get in the UK.
It's much the same system as you have...

session savage

Wouldnt it be fair rediculous if the laws in this country were written by people who were informed about the subjects they were writhing laws for, god knows how sensible the laws would be then.... and we couldnt have that now could we.

Grizzly 45

You can blame a FF jail bird[Ray Burke] and and Willie O Dea for this debacle!!As usual "more be seen doing somthing"legislation.
As well as too much Hollywood information about silencers,flick knives,crossbows and other wonderful toys for adults,gave us this mess.:mad:

Longranger

We have to apply cos someone in office thinks that we will all go around at 3 in the morning,murdering people in total silence:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:!! Atotal crock of sh!te IMO:mad:

landkeeper

Glensman wrote: »

Mods are easy to get in the UK.
It's much the same system as you have...

does it not need to have a serial number
i also was reffering to having to get your land 'vetted' by tptb and having to have exactly what you wish to shoot listed on your ticket the rifle side of things in the uk is stricter than it is in the roi
there is even the issue of vmax bullets being 'expanding heads' illegal/legal according to some of my friends there

.243

Glensman wrote: »

Mods are easy to get in the UK.
It's much the same system as you have...

but in fairness glensmans the system you have to abide be seems to be a bit more black and white to out system which is normally black,gray black,gray,gray white,off white and white and no transparency

session savage

Longranger wrote: »

We have to apply cos some pr!ck in office thinks that we will all go around at 3 in the morning,murdering people in total silence:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:!! Atotal crock of sh!te IMO:mad:

I wouldnt mind but my moderated .223 isnt exactly stealthy!! unlike the .50cal rifle in rambo..... what make moderator is on this beast to make a .50 cal go pssst??
http://youtu.be/vcLM7VmsW1Q?t=7s

Glensman

landkeeper wrote: »

does it not need to have a serial number
i also was reffering to having to get your land 'vetted' by tptb and having to have exactly what you wish to shoot listed on your ticket the rifle side of things in the uk is stricter than it is in the roi
there is even the issue of vmax bullets being 'expanding heads' illegal/legal according to some of my friends there

Oh yeah, like that's all a nuisance and it's even worse in the 6 counties than in the UK. But once you have everything and if you're ok at paperwork it not the worst. Not all mods have serial no's so don't need to be registered. I was granted mods for all my calibres with no issue...
As far as the expanding heads, noone really understands that one. I think it was more a case of the US didn't allow v-max heads to be posted to reloaders so they had to use a-max...

.243 wrote: »

but in fairness glensmans the system you have to abide be seems to be a bit more black and white to out system which is normally black,gray black,gray,gray white,off white and white and no transparency

Well the system in the 6 counties is very similar to your own. The english system is a lot more relaxed!

For example one issue we have here is that I cannot get my .270 opened up for fox. You can't use anything over 22-250 on foxes (although this is not actually stated anywhere, it's just the way it is). So I Had to buy a .223 even though I had a 90gr load developed for the .270.

Another one is they make you do a deer stalking cert before they will give you a deer legal calibre. This costs £365 over 3 days in Fermanagh, if you take in meals and accommodation you're looking at £500 :mad: agian, this is not a written rule and does not apply in Britain, only here.

CJhaughey

Lads, it could be worse. Some places won't let you have one at all!
Australia springs to mind.

landkeeper

the system in mainland uk is far from simple i have a bud who got put through the wringer cos he shot a fox with his stalking rifle and it wasn't on his ticket , even though he has other rifles and it states fox for those they were also going to get arsey with him cos he had used vmax bullets
admittedly he did meet a 'super efficient cop' on his way home who pulled him over with dead fox in the boot but as he says himself it was a bit hairy scarey for a while . another lad i know shot a couple of sheep worrying dogs for a farmer he knows that all got very nasty one of the things he was ticked off about was his fac didn't state dogs lol
afaik moderators are serialised and you need that too you can't just buy it over the counter

then there is the whole open ticket closed ticket mess
gray areas they maybe here but they are alot more relaxed than there

Glensman

landkeeper wrote: »

the system in mainland uk is far from simple i have a bud who got put through the wringer cos he shot a fox with his stalking rifle and it wasn't on his ticket , even though he has other rifles and it states fox for those they were also going to get arsey with him cos he had used vmax bullets
admittedly he did meet a 'super efficient cop' on his way home who pulled him over with dead fox in the boot but as he says himself it was a bit hairy scarey for a while . another lad i know shot a couple of sheep worrying dogs for a farmer he knows that all got very nasty one of the things he was ticked off about was his fac didn't state dogs lol
afaik moderators are serialised and you need that too you can't just buy it over the counter

then there is the whole open ticket closed ticket mess
gray areas they maybe here but they are alot more relaxed than there

That is one thing, everyone in the 6 counties has an open ticket, which is handy.

My Mod on the .223 is not serialised, nor on the .22lr.
It just says on my licence that I have slots for these. I also have a slot for a .270 mod, but I don't have one...

I've heard of that dog thing coming up a couple of times alright. It's a strange situation to find yourself in because you have to take the shot...

Gonzor

To be honest I wouldnt be getting too hung up on it.... its just an extra tick on the box on your application form. No big deal really

I hate to say this, but we all know what our government is like when it comes to firearms, Im inclined to think we got off pretty lightly on mod number to be honest.

Just imagine some of the obstacles they could put in the way

silencer tax
have to be shooting 5 years before before you can apply for a mod
only allowed a mod if you piss at 45 degree angle :rolleyes:

or they could just ban them outright. I wouldnt put it past them either.

garv123

Gonzor wrote: »

To be honest I wouldnt be getting too hung up on it.... its just an extra tick on the box on your application form. No big deal really

its not just tick the box. you need to add a letter saying why you need it and try and convince the super to give it to you, its all down to him and you might get it in one part of the county and be reused it in another part with the exact same letter with the same reasons.

it should be set in stone that you can get one for various reasons and not just leave the decision up to the super imo

Gonzor

garv123 wrote: »

its not just tick the box. you need to add a letter saying why you need it and try and convince the super to give it to you, its all down to him and you might get it in one part of the county and be reused it in another part with the exact same letter with the same reasons.

it should be set in stone that you can get one for various reasons and not just leave the decision up to the super imo

Really? Ive got 3 licences here with the magic S and I never got asked anything. No letter. No questions.

SOunds to me like its just certain supers taking it upon themselves to make life hard.. and not actually anything to do with the law?

garv123

Gonzor wrote: »

Really? Ive got 3 licences here with the magic S and I never got asked anything. No letter. No questions.

SOunds to me like its just certain supers taking it upon themselves to make life hard.. and not actually anything to do with the law?

Must he lucky with the super you have. some just out right wont give them tto anyone. they are the law it seems when it comes to giving mods.

Gonzor

garv123 wrote: »

Must he lucky with the super you have. some just out right wont give them tto anyone. they are the law it seems when it comes to giving mods.

Well actually I thought my super was bad (but seemingly not that bad afterall) because hes a tightarse when it comes to centerfires. I dont think he knows a whole lot about firearms, but if Dermot Ahern says a centerfire pistol leads to more criminals then surely a centerfire rifle cant be much better now can it :rolleyes:

poulo6.5

its crazy to have to apply for a moderator but i will tell you this. i had to have an interview with my super when applying for my mod. during this interview he said he didnt want people running around the countryside with silent high powered rifles.

in his own words he said that a "silencer" wouldent give people off in the distance a chance to get out of the way if you are you shooting in their direction.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY TO THAT.

then recently when i moved to kerry i insisted on meeting the super down there and during the meeting he said the same thing. i was lost for words that an adult in a responsible position. obviously an intelligent individual would ask such a nonsensical question and expect an answer

garv123

hear a bang, ahh theres a bullet coming, run awayyyy :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

did you inform him the bullet was travelling faster than the speed of sound and would have been there before the bang was?

cavan shooter

Its called a Nanny state, combined with fear of being overthrown. Any state that was founded by force hates to see firearms of any description in public hands. It doesnt help that the criminals run rings around the guards and its easier to control legitimate firearms that chase down the druggies;)

Gonzor

poulo6.5 wrote: »

i had to have an interview with my super when applying for my mod. during this interview he said he didnt want people running around the countryside with silent high powered rifles.

in his own words he said that a "silencer" wouldent give people off in the distance a chance to get out of the way if you are you shooting in their direction.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY TO THAT.

Did he give it to ya in the end..??

virgindrummer

cavan shooter wrote: »

Its called a Nanny state, combined with fear of being overthrown. Any state that was founded by force hates to see firearms of any description in public hands. It doesnt help that the criminals run rings around the guards and its easier to control legitimate firearms that chase down the druggies;)

Every state was founded by force, or threat of force, and every state exists only by claiming a monopoly over the legitimate use of force. USA was birthed in blood and allows it's citizens to own machine guns and grenade launchers. And machine grenade launchers. Some people are servile, some proud.

I agree wholeheartedly with the second part of your post. Law abiding citizens are the natural target of the security state, or nanny state.

poulo6.5

Gonzor wrote: »

poulo6.5 wrote: »

i had to have an interview with my super when applying for my mod. during this interview he said he didnt want people running around the countryside with silent high powered rifles.

in his own words he said that a "silencer" wouldent give people off in the distance a chance to get out of the way if you are you shooting in their direction.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY TO THAT.

Did he give it to ya in the end..??

Ya I got it in the end only because I was able to justify a legitimate use for one and I guess I came across as a sensible law abiding citizen.

Grizzly 45

virgindrummer wrote: »

Every state was founded by force, or threat of force, and every state exists only by claiming a monopoly over the legitimate use of force. USA was birthed in blood and allows it's citizens to own machine guns and grenade launchers. And machine grenade launchers. Some people are servile, some proud.

Sure it does!IF you pay a 200 USD tax,want a total federal backround check,submit your fingerprints to the Feds and wait about 12 weeks for the Okay.Then pay anything from 2,000 usd to 35,000 usd for any of the above you metioned ,and live in a state that allows possession of any of the above mentioned.You can do it!!:rolleyes: Oh forgot to mention that 200 usd tax also applies for EACH explosive round you might want for your 40mm blooper tube!! A really cheap hobby and easily obtainable equipment over there.:eek:

I

agree wholeheartedly with the second part of your post. Law abiding citizens are the natural target of the security state, or nanny state.[/

Of course you can be a Mexican drug dealer and no doubt the BATFE will supply you with plenty of illegal hardware and lose track of it after it has shot a US border patrol officer and then try to cover it all up..From the folks that brought you Waco and Ruby Ridge...Another great BATFE sucess.... operation Fast &furious...[more like Feckless & Fukwitted!]

Grizzly 45

garv123 wrote: »

did you inform him the bullet was travelling faster than the speed of sound and would have been there before the bang was?

Ah come On! Dont confuse the poor man now with high fluetent technical ballistic science!!!:D:rolleyes:

Sika98k

poulo6.5 wrote: »

its crazy to have to apply for a moderator but i will tell you this. i had to have an interview with my super when applying for my mod. during this interview he said he didnt want people running around the countryside with silent high powered rifles.

in his own words he said that a "silencer" wouldent give people off in the distance a chance to get out of the way if you are you shooting in their direction.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY TO THAT.

then recently when i moved to kerry i insisted on meeting the super down there and during the meeting he said the same thing. i was lost for words that an adult in a responsible position. obviously an intelligent individual would ask such a nonsensical question and expect an answer

I,ll bet you are not too sure about the last bit now

rowa

Can you not justify using a mod on the grounds of health and safety ? When hunting ,ear defenders are not really practical and it only takes the noise of one centrefire round to permanently damage human hearing.
Its only a few years since the state had to fork out millions to ex-servicemen for hearing loss compensation after all.

Sparks

I think you guys are confusing a few things:

• Legislation drafted without consultation with technical experts
• A legislative process that gives a free shot at that draft in the Dail and Seanad to politicians who may or may not have technical expertise and who may or may not be acting in good faith (as opposed to trying to get some press coverage)
• A police force who are then expected to implement the result of the legislative process and who bear personal responsibility in the event of legal challanges or liability issues if something goes horribly wrong, but who are never given enough training to do the job in the first place
• A society who generally aren't well informed about firearms

Put all of those together and I don't see servile people or a nation striving to be born in blood or any other image ripped off from a particularly drunk (and not particularly talented) poet somewhere in templebar early on a sunday morning. Instead, I get Hanlon's Razor:

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

And in this case, I'm referring to the kind of stupidity that leaves you standing outside your door at seven in the morning when rushing to get to work, staring through the hall windows at the keys to the car and house lying there in their dish on the hall table, behind the door you just pulled closed and locked behind you.

virgindrummer

Sparks wrote: »

I think you guys are confusing a few things:

• Legislation drafted without consultation with technical experts
• A legislative process that gives a free shot at that draft in the Dail and Seanad to politicians who may or may not have technical expertise and who may or may not be acting in good faith (as opposed to trying to get some press coverage)
• A police force who are then expected to implement the result of the legislative process and who bear personal responsibility in the event of legal challanges or liability issues if something goes horribly wrong, but who are never given enough training to do the job in the first place
• A society who generally aren't well informed about firearms

Put all of those together and I don't see servile people or a nation striving to be born in blood or any other image ripped off from a particularly drunk (and not particularly talented) poet somewhere in templebar early on a sunday morning. Instead, I get Hanlon's Razor:


And in this case, I'm referring to the kind of stupidity that leaves you standing outside your door at seven in the morning when rushing to get to work, staring through the hall windows at the keys to the car and house lying there in their dish on the hall table, behind the door you just pulled closed and locked behind you.

Must admit that I was indeed drunk when I wrote that post. It's still rude and obnoxious of you to direct an insult at me by accusing me of ripping of a bad poet in Temple Bar. But if that's what makes you happy, keep on keeping on!

I think it's very naive to claim that our legislators, civil servants etc. are just stupid. All of us on this forum know that some of these dudes do not like guns, and have sought to restrict their legal use and ownership as much as possible.

Sparks

virgindrummer wrote: »

I think it's very naive to claim that our legislators, civil servants etc. are just stupid. All of us on this forum know that some of these dudes do not like guns, and have sought to restrict their legal use and ownership as much as possible.

That's not quite ground truth though, is it?
Ground truth is closer to:
A lot of people in our community bitch and moan all the time about how we're really hard put-upon; but won't pay attention to politics or legislation when it would do some good (because, as they'll tell you, they find it tedious in the extreme) and don't vote in one block and prefer to see a fight than to see progress. Meanwhile, the Powers That Be are almost exactly the same - there are different groups in there, who aren't all arm-in-arm as the AGSI and Michael McDowell could testify to; and while some are professionals, others are politicians. And a few troublemakers in the mix makes life appallingly hard for everyone else unnecessarily.

In other words, the entire thing is an unholy mess, and it's not just this way for shooting, it's this way for just about everything in Irish life.

And since the whole howl-at-the-moon, fight-da-powa shoutiness approach has proven several times now that it just doesn't get the job done at the end of the day, and since that seems to be the road we're going down, I think we'd probably best all get used to how things are, because I don't see them improving much in the near future...

packas

session savage wrote: »

Theres often threads on here talking about applying for a mod for a rifle and it got me thinkning.. whats the frikkin point of having to get permission to reduce the noise of your firearm. I cant wrap me head around why the guards have to give you permission to have a moderator. is it just down to our stupid legislation written by gob****es that wouldnt know a rifle from a soggy old potato.

disclaimer: if im missing something obvious here I blame sleep deprivation.

Where I currently live you can own lots and lots of guns. Even full auto in some circumstances. However moderators are totally illegal. Nuts isn't it?? Logic & common sense is a bit hit & miss when it comes to firearms legislation.

tac foley

landkeeper wrote: »

just be thankful your not living in the uk

In many parts of the UK moderators are actually compulsory for deer-stalking and vermin shooting - especially if vermin [fox] shooting is done at night. I live 'out in the rurals' of East Anglia and in both counties that I night-shoot a moderator is compulsory, regardless of calibre.

Sure, it has be be acquired and registered on your licence, but it's no big deal.

tac

tac foley

packas wrote: »

Where I currently live you can own lots and lots of guns. Even full auto in some circumstances. However moderators are totally illegal. Nuts isn't it?? Logic & common sense is a bit hit & miss when it comes to firearms legislation.

In Canada, full-auto firearms were banned in 1995. Those few that had been grand-fathered are all that remain.

Canada is not the cat's whiskers for gun-owners that you describe - there are still the restricted firearms lists and no Luger can be owned with its original-lenth barrel due to the barrel-length restriction. The PAL is not a license to go buy a truck-load of firearms - even many BP firearms are limited by virtue of their calibre.

Thankfully, it looks like we are going to sh!t-can the appallingly costly gun registration programme - another liberal farce that will cost every Canadian alive today tax for the rest of their lives.

...and since you currently live there, that includes you, too. WE live over here, and don't pay any Canadian taxes, 'cept when we go home. :=)

Best

tac

firefly08

The moderator situation in the US is not exactly peachy either. You have to pay a $200 tax and wait months for background checks & paperwork processing. To top that off, you still have to get approval from local law enforcement, and there is no legal way to appeal if they refuse to approve it (although luckily in any state there are various people that count as "law enforcement" so you will usually be able to find someone to sign off). But basically, it is so much trouble that virtually no one bothers. I have never seen a moderator over here, not one.

I realize it's hard to consider yourself "lucky" when you're being forced to go begging, cap in hand ,for permission to buy a piece of metal tubing....but that's the world we live in. It could be worse - they could be on the restricted list! :eek:

Sparks

firefly08 wrote: »

It could be worse - they could be on the restricted list! :eek:

They were on the restricted list until 2009 for centerfire rifles (one of the wins the FCP got that people either never heard of or forgot).

Grizzly 45

firefly08 wrote: »

The moderator situation in the US is not exactly peachy either. You have to pay a $200 tax and wait months for background checks & paperwork processing. To top that off, you still have to get approval from local law enforcement, and there is no legal way to appeal if they refuse to approve it (although luckily in any state there are various people that count as "law enforcement" so you will usually be able to find someone to sign off). But basically, it is so much trouble that virtually no one bothers. I have never seen a moderator over here, not one.

Compared to here its a doddle!!:rolleyes: 200 usd transfer tax,maximum 12 weeks waiting and processing time.SET by FEDERAL LAW [IOW application must be done within 3months].No!! The local law enforcement sign off on your paperwork and do your prints.By and large unless you are living in some "Boss Hog backwater county" where you have peed off the local sheriff,its not such a biggie as made out.
Its the FEDS that say yes/no on that one...Dont actually know what their refusal rate is...Unless you have done somthing really bad,you shouldnt be on their databases.
So long as you are living in a state that permits ownership,and the majority of them do.. It's quite easy to own silencers,sawn off shotguns and full auto stuff in the US.Big one is COST!!
.22 parker hale style cans can start around 500 dollars upwards.

Over here.tThe cans can be bought over the counter,but woe betide you being caught with one.Go through a whole gamut of stupid excuses as to why you want one with a "genuine Boss Hogg":rolleyes: sitting in your local divisional barracks ,whose word IS law and the only way to change it is a DC case!Repeat every three years as well.The US you own it for good then.

. It could be worse - they could be on the restricted list! :eek:

They are!!!:rolleyes:

Sparks

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

They are!!!:rolleyes:

Not since 2009. Unless you mean mods for pistols.

Grizzly 45

I did,..forgot about the other side.:o
BTW whats the story here for a rifle /handgun with an intregrated silencer barrel design?? Does it require a seperate liscense as well.?
Always fancied for a vintage shoot a Semi Auto silenced STEN or a De Lesile carbine:D

tac foley

@Grizzly45 - here in UK there is a company that makes a L-E-based replica of the .45 DeLisle carbine - one of our members has one.

It's pretty odd to see and hear, too - just thump like a heavy car door closing.

Costy, though - around £2500 new.

However, here's one second-hand - http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/110429171823620 - only £2100.00. Mere feed-chicken and pocket change to you guys over there!

[The fancy wooden packing crate box is £350 extra.]

tac

packas

tac foley wrote: »

In Canada, full-auto firearms were banned in 1995. Those few that had been grand-fathered are all that remain.

Canada is not the cat's whiskers for gun-owners that you describe - there are still the restricted firearms lists and no Luger can be owned with its original-lenth barrel due to the barrel-length restriction. The PAL is not a license to go buy a truck-load of firearms - even many BP firearms are limited by virtue of their calibre.

Thankfully, it looks like we are going to sh!t-can the appallingly costly gun registration programme - another liberal farce that will cost every Canadian alive today tax for the rest of their lives.

...and since you currently live there, that includes you, too. WE live over here, and don't pay any Canadian taxes, 'cept when we go home. :=)

Best

tac

Still.... a lot better than some countries. All depends on your viewpoint. You could debate forever the pro's and cons of certain aspects but I find it refreshing to be part of a system where you know where you stand with regards what you can and cannot have. Again back to my original point....Logic & common sense is a bit hit & miss when it comes to firearms legislation.

rowa

tac foley wrote: »

@Grizzly45 - here in UK there is a company that makes a L-E-based replica of the .45 DeLisle carbine - one of our members has one.

It's pretty odd to see and hear, too - just thump like a heavy car door closing.

Costy, though - around £2500 new.

However, here's one second-hand - http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/110429171823620 - only £2100.00. Mere feed-chicken and pocket change to you guys over there!

[The fancy wooden packing crate box is £350 extra.]

tac

There is or was , a company in america doing a conversion kit and it was a lot cheaper then the gun above , it was simply a replacement barrel and a 1911 magazine with whatever bracketry was need to get the magazine to work.

firefly08

Compared to here its a doddle!! 200 usd transfer tax,maximum 12 weeks waiting and processing time.SET by FEDERAL LAW [IOW application must be done within 3months].No!! The local law enforcement sign off on your paperwork and do your prints.By and large unless you are living in some "Boss Hog backwater county" where you have peed off the local sheriff,its not such a biggie as made out.

I admit I have no personal experience of the process, but you might want to read this thread:

If the CLEO wont sign off?

I'm a year away from getting a suppressor. Problem is i worked with an ex-sheriff this previous summer and he said the chief wont sign off on it.

Had the CLEO refuse here in PA, Westmoreland County Sherriff, when, it was the Sheriff that was considered the CLEO, now its your local police chief, or the lowest level Officer that would KNOW YOU the best.

Bottom line, the court ruled he had no obligation to sign the form.

I went the cleo sign off route,got my fingerprints and all, and 2 months later the cleo told me he wouldnt sign off

Find an attorney

Sound familiar?

Grizzly 45

Indeed it does Firefly..:) However while reading the full replies and the entire thread there is obviously the trust route to own the Class3 stuff,and various other methods and ruses,even at worst having a second home in another state that allows Class 3 stuff with no problems.Not to mind the guy who started this seems to be getting bar room advice from an "ex" sherrif.

ALL are impossible to do here in the ROI or the EU[Well maybe if you have mega bucks and can move to Switzerland or Finland,or somplace that is more tolerant].
Even where they said get a lawyer to set up yhe trust,costing only 500 dollars.[Hang another zero onto that over here for the same service].
So by and large it still is an easier job than over here.500 dollars to sort out a legal problem compared to 1500/2000 euros for a day in court???
Hmmm.lemme think on that one!:pac:

tac foley

Sir - a couple of points here, especially as I have just come back from Finland, staying with a couple who are both retired police officers.

Finland does NOT permit its citizens to own fully automatic firearms of any kind - Please note -

Firearms Act 1/1998 Amendment 804/2003 -

Section 9 [lists categories of prohibited firearms/ammunition et al] -

Title - Specially Dangerous Firearms -

1. ANY fully automatic firearm.

And as for Switzerland - another country where I go to shoot since 1978 -
it is true that the military forces of the federation, strictly speaking a true militia, are issued with fully-automatic firearms as part of their retention/obligation, they are required to hand it in at the termination of their full-time service. See -

'When their period of service has ended, militiamen have the choice of keeping their personal weapon and other selected items of their equipment. In this case of retention, the rifle is sent to the weapons factory where the fully automatic function is removed; the rifle is then returned to the discharged owner. The rifle is then a semi-automatic or self-loading rifle.'

AFAIK, there is no equal to the deal such as that made by the BATF in the USA, where paying your $300 tax and getting the approval stamp entitles you to own a fully-automatic firearm.

I'm happy to be corrected here, but on my occasional visit to Knob Creek KY, only registered Federally-authorised Class 3 FFL can buy or sell any fully automatic firearm.

...and BTW, in both Finland and Switzerland, as of the time of writing, moderators are readily available over the counter of your local friendly gun store. Finland is rightly famous for the quality of its moderator manufacturing. One Finnish maker, Vaime, used to make a completely-moderated version of the Steyr SSG where the barrel and moderator were integral, designed to shoot sub-sonic .308Win for 'certain' applications.

tac