The article is full of praise for Switzerland. But it is worth noting that since 2007 a Swiss reservist has NOT been permitted to keep his rifle’s ammunition in his home. Sure, he has ready access to his rifle, but all ammunition must be kept locked up in the local armory.
I’m told that rifle ammunition is still available for private purchase. So a reservist could buy a box out of his own pocket, and keep it in his house.
But the armory rule shows that even Switzerland is drifting towards stupid.
Yep. Hopefully in a time of greater risk the ammunition rule would be relaxed.
There’s also the fact that the writer of the article did minimal research. I like the Swiss model and all, but they were actually conquered by Napoleon, so any claim that they have never been invaded is false.
Also the Swiss have a lot more in the way of defenses than just rifles in each house. They also have an extensive series of fortifications and all their roads, bridges, and avalanche shields are set up to be wrecked in case of invasion.
Yes, the armed citizenry is a serious help, but they go far beyond that to make themselves an undesirable target.
Even in years past, Swiss citizen-soldiers were only issued a small quantity of ammunition with the rifle. The idea was simply for them to be effectively armed until they reached the assigned muster point (where additional equipment and supplies would be issued).
Rifle marksmanship is one of their national obsessions. There are public rifle ranges in every canton and a *national* shooting competition every few years (this year, IIRC) which will probably draw over 2,000 competing teams and over 40,000 individual competitors. Many Swiss citizens own privately-purchased rifles, so their capabilities are not entirely in the hands of the bureaucrats.
There's one odd thing, though: Despite making some of the world's finest sidearms, the Swiss view America's "gun culture" - as depicted in the media and in movies - as a problem related to handguns. It's as though they somehow cleanly separate the function of rifles from that of handguns in their minds. The former is good, the latter *could* be bad. Bicycling to the range with a true assault rifle slung across your back? Totally normal thing to do. Carry a handgun concealed? Unthinkable.
I think the Swiss reservists can keep a magazine or two of ammo at home in case they need it to fight to get to the armoryt but like you said, it would be wise to purchase your own to augnment your ammo supply.