Lawmakers in Switzerland are considering a ban on veils worn by Muslim women in public.

The lower house of parliament approved the burqa ban by a 101-77 vote, Wednesday. Now, the veil decision goes to the upper house.

Oskar Freysinger, the lawmaker behind the proposed ban, says he's trying "to avoid a religious war" by setting minimum standards for wearing veils.

In 2009, he campaigned to ban construction of minarets in Switzerland, a law that drew international condemnation when voters approved it despite the government's opposition.

Earlier this year, France became the first country to ban Islamic face veils anywhere in public.