A politician in Switzerland has faced legal consequences for purchasing pink water pistols over the internet, following claims by authorities that the toys breached national weapons laws, as disclosed by a local media outlet.
According to the Aargauer Zeitung, Marc Jaisli, a council member in the town of Buchs near Zurich, placed an order for the vibrant water pistols last August. He made the purchase on Temu, an online platform known for its budget-friendly deals, intending to gift the toys to his godchildren.
The local prosecutors contended that, despite their colorful design, the water pistols could be mistaken for genuine firearms due to their form. This led to the conclusion that they violated Swiss weapons legislation. As a result, Jaisli was fined a significant sum of 6,500 Swiss francs, the equivalent of approximately $7,390 in U.S. currency.
Jaisli admitted that he was unaware of the infringement of the law at the time of purchase. However, he has since accepted the authorities’ ruling, choosing to comply by settling the fine imposed upon him.