Guns are a big deal in Switzerland. More per head of population than t
he States. Wikipedia tells me: 'The total number of firearms in private homes is estimated minimally at 1.2 million to 3 million.' In a country with a population of around 8 million. Why is this? It seems that it is because the Swiss Army is a national militia, trained against threats to the nation's sovereignty. Most Swiss men undergo military training and remain reservists into their thirties. After their service they have the option of keeping their semi-automatic rifles. It seems that after turning eighteen, among other things you can also buy a gun. Neat. What is remarkable is that because of the extensive training, the quality of life and education in Switzerland gun crime is extremely low, 'Police statistics for the year 2006 records 34 killings or attempted killings involving firearms, compared to 69 cases involving bladed weapons and 16 cases of unarmed assault.' The poorly taken photo of a gun shop here sells an array of weapons, ammunition, hunting equipment and paint-balling supplies and is just a few hundred yards from my front door. Weird how I feel really safe here, but sense I will not in the States.
Guns are a big deal in Switzerland. More per head of population than t
he States. Wikipedia tells me: 'The total number of firearms in private homes is estimated minimally at 1.2 million to 3 million.' In a country with a population of around 8 million. Why is this? It seems that it is because the Swiss Army is a national militia, trained against threats to the nation's sovereignty. Most Swiss men undergo military training and remain reservists into their thirties. After their service they have the option of keeping their semi-automatic rifles. It seems that after turning eighteen, among other things you can also buy a gun. Neat. What is remarkable is that because of the extensive training, the quality of life and education in Switzerland gun crime is extremely low, 'Police statistics for the year 2006 records 34 killings or attempted killings involving firearms, compared to 69 cases involving bladed weapons and 16 cases of unarmed assault.' The poorly taken photo of a gun shop here sells an array of weapons, ammunition, hunting equipment and paint-balling supplies and is just a few hundred yards from my front door. Weird how I feel really safe here, but sense I will not in the States.
