Switzerland and the gun
Switzerland has long maintained its armed
neutrality
Guns are deeply rooted within Swiss culture - but
the gun crime rate is so low that statistics are not even kept.
The
country has a population of six million, but there are estimated to be at least
two million publicly-owned firearms, including about 600,000 automatic rifles
and 500,000 pistols.
This is
in a very large part due to Switzerland's unique system of national defence,
developed over the centuries.
Instead
of a standing, full-time army, the country requires every man to undergo some
form of military training for a few days or weeks a year throughout most of
their lives.
Between
the ages of 21 and 32 men serve as frontline troops. They are given an M-57
assault rifle and 24 rounds of ammunition which they are required to keep at
home.
Once
discharged, men serve in the Swiss equivalent of the US National Guard, but
still have to train occasionally and are given bolt rifles. Women do not have
to own firearms, but are encouraged to.
Few
restrictions
In
addition to the government-provided arms, there are few restrictions on buying
weapons. Some cantons restrict the carrying of firearms - others do not.
The
government even sells off surplus weaponry to the general public when new
equipment is introduced.
Guns
and shooting are popular national pastimes. More than 200,000 Swiss attend
national annual marksmanship competitions.
But
despite the wide ownership and availability of guns, violent crime is extremely
rare. There are only minimal controls at public buildings and politicians
rarely have police protection.
Mark
Eisenecker, a sociologist from the University of Zurich told BBC News Online
that guns are "anchored" in Swiss society and that gun control is
simply not an issue.
Some
pro-gun groups argue that Switzerland proves their contention that there is not
necessarily a link between the availability of guns and violent crime in
society.
Low
crime
But
other commentators suggest that the reality is more complicated.
Switzerland
is one of the world's richest countries, but has remained relatively isolated.
It has
none of the social problems associated with gun crime seen in other
industrialised countries like drugs or urban deprivation.
Despite
the lack of rigid gun laws, firearms are strictly connected to a sense of
collective responsibility.
From an
early age Swiss men and women associate weaponry with being called to defend
their country.”
Cassi Creek: The
distribution of wealth among the Swiss and the social and cultural safety nets
are most likely the major factor providing the apparent lack of gun-related
crime.
Beyond any
doubt, the pro-gun lobby here in the U.S. will claim that the cultural and
social factors are not significant. I
believe otherwise.
Of further interest in an entirely different direction:
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