Of course, the reality is very different. Switzerland has a national militia system that requires able-bodied civilian men of military age keep weapons at home in case of a national emergency. These weapons are fully automatic, military assault rifles, and by law they must be kept locked up. Their issue of 72 rounds of ammunition must be sealed, and it is strictly accounted for. IOW, you don't get to carry your weapon around, you don't get to blast stuff in your backyard with your buddies. And no impressing of chicks.
Furthermore, private firearms are subject to stricter gun control than the US; both guns and ammo are registered.
Lately, however, the populace of Switzerland has decided they have a gun violence problem:
IOW, the electorate of Switzerland is demanding the Swiss Govt. tighten gun laws.
Shaken by a number of high-profile killings over the past decade a broad alliance of human rights groups, churches, women’s organisations, trade unions and centre-left political parties has succeeded in forcing a nationwide ballot on an anti-gun initiative.
"Furthermore, private firearms are subject to stricter gun control than the US; both guns and ammo are registered.
ReplyDeleteLately, however, the populace of Switzerland has decided they have a gun violence problem."
So that registration thing is working then?
More proof that no matter how big or how small your gun violence problem is, gun control will always be there to impose more anti-gun initiatives.
ReplyDeleteSwitzerland's system is what the Second Amendment was supposed to protect--not private arms.
ReplyDeleteEven though Swiss guns aren't as much of a problem--it's funny to read Swiss gun control proponents talking about how their problem is in proportion with the US!
Youre wrong. Fundamentally wrong, factually wrong.
ReplyDeleteShooting has been and continues to be a socially accepted and popular sport. The canton shooting festivals bring large crowds and shooters of all ages. While the duty ammo is sealed in battle packs and kept reserved for war or drill, it is also very easy for any Citizen to get all the ammo they want for sport shooting.
What they are required to keep locked up is the MINIMUM their duty post has been assigned. That is the ammo they cannot use. Riflemen are assigned x amount. Grenadiers another and machine gunners even more. Tankers and artillerymen are required to keep the minimum rifle ammo on hand invade they have to fight their way to their redeployed equipment. This is no difference than requiring volunteer firemen always have a half a tank of gas in their car or off duty cops having a go bag handy. It's just planning ahead.