Erstellt am: 20. 2. 2012 - 15:16 Uhr

Guns 'n' espressos

Reality Check: US gun law and the elections, portrait of Joachim Gauck, Vati-leaks scandal in the Vatican, protests in Spain, Scotland and the EU.

In 43 of the USA's 50 states, residents have a consititutional right carry around with them any firearms they have acquired legally. That includes going shopping, going into their favourite bar - or even the local Starbucks. It comes under the second ammendment - that's the one about protecting the right of an individual to keep and bear arms.

To a European, it conjours up images of the wild west, with guns sliding up and down the bars as regularly as whisky bottles. But this isn't the wild west - it's modern America, and while not everyone exercises this right, there is a large section of the population who believe this right should be maintained. They are the pro-gun lobby.

There is also a large part of the population who believe that there should me much tougher controls on firearms, and that there should be restrictions both on who can carry arms, and where they can be carried. They are the anti-gun lobby.

These two groups typically do battle before every presidential election, the pro-lobby, broadly represented by the National Rifle Association, is typically Republican, while the anti-lobby is Democrat. This is normal practice - but this time there is an unusual battleground: Starbucks Coffee Houses.

Although people technically have the right to carry guns anywhere and everywhere, the majority of shops, restaruants and other public places would prefer their customers to leave their weapons at home, or at the very least, in the car. Understandably, they feel that people openly carrying firearms puts a bit of a damper of the safe, friendly, family atmosphere they are trying to create, and they post notices to this effect.

Starbucks, however, is bucking the trend. The are refusing to prohibit guns on their premises, saying that as long as their customers are complying with state law, that is fine by them. The antis have called a boycott of Starbucks, and the pros have called a BUYcott.

In Reality Check, Simon Marks looks at the US gun law, and how the Starbucks Wars are playing into the election campaign.

A portrait of Joachim Gauck

Joachim Gauck looks almost certain to take over the German presidency from Christian Wulff, who stepped down last week. A look at the background and views of Germany's new president.

Protests in Spain

Thousands of people too to the streets in Madrid and other major cities across Spain over the weekend, to protest against new labour laws that would make it easier to sack workers, or change their working conditions. The unions called for the demonstrations, but many demonstrators say the unions themselves are too weak in standing up to the government.

Joan Vich was one of the organisers of last year's "Indignado" protests at the Puerto del Sol Plaza. He told Joanna Bostock all about the mood and motivations of the tens of thousands who took part.

Vati-leaks

Leaked documents suggesting corruption and malpractice within the Vatican are causing an unholy row over the dealings of the Vatican Bank. Our Rome correspondent, David Willey, reports on the documents and allegations, and how they are likely to affect future events as cardinals begin to consider who might replace the increasingly frail Pope Benedict XVI.

Scotland and the EU

If Scotland votes for independence in 2014, will it have to re-apply for EU membership? Vanessa Mock looks at the precedent that could be set by how the EU reacts to Scottish independence.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.