Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Other Countries own Guns too
AShooting Journal ^ | 5/4/2016 | Alexandria Kincaid

Posted on 05/04/2016 9:34:12 AM PDT by w1n1

icture a tiny, Christmas town filled with classic Alpine chalets and surrounded by mountains, with the citizens working dutifully to contribute to the common good, and you will envision Zermatt, Switzerland. Zermatt is a picturesque tourist town that would fit the typical political progressive’s idea of utopia on earth: modern, clean and government-controlled. Environmental preservation is key. Residents pride themselves on the pure, glacial water flowing through the town. Cars are banned, except for the few licensees who are permitted to drive electric vehicles. I spoke with a shopkeeper who explained the government’s protection of the Swiss deer. If you hit a deer on the road, you had better report it and pay your fine. Unlicensed deer murderers are not tolerated.

Gun laws around the world vary greatly. Many countries have very lenient gun-ownership laws, and statistics show that they benefit from very low crime rates.

FIREARMS IN SWITZERLAND are no cause for concern. Until recently, the Swiss could own almost any kind of firearm, including anti-aircraft guns and howitzers. Since 1291, it has been said that Switzerland does not have an army – it is an army. With a “rifle behind every blade of grass,” the same was thought about the United States years ago. Swiss men undergo mandatory military training, which is voluntary for women, and until 2011, these militia men and women ranging in age from 20 to 42 were even required to keep their military rifles at home. In 2011, the laws were changed and now allows the militia an option to keep their rifles in a local armory.

Like the US, Switzerland’s leniency towards firearms has taken a bashing from gun prohibitionists in recent years. The Swiss also receive pressure from the UN and the European Union, to which Switzerland does not subscribe, but from which the country will apparently be influenced. In 2013, anti-gun organizations attempted to ban army rifles from homes altogether. To the relief of Swiss gun owners, the change was rejected by 56 percent of voters. However, some changes to the laws were implemented... Read the rest of the story here.


TOPICS: Hobbies
KEYWORDS: banglist; guns; switzerland

1 posted on 05/04/2016 9:34:12 AM PDT by w1n1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: w1n1

They look like Sportsmans Guide customers:)
and that’s a good thing.


2 posted on 05/04/2016 9:44:53 AM PDT by Cold Heart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1
Switzerland’s leniency towards firearms has taken a bashing from gun prohibitionists in recent years

Perfectly understandable, what with the tragic rash of mass murders we've seen in Switzerland over the last couple of centuries. How many have there been? Hundreds? A thousand? /s

Just proves the grabbers aren't worried in the least about public safety. It's all about something else; namely, their beloved authoritarianism.

3 posted on 05/04/2016 9:51:14 AM PDT by LibWhacker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gamecock; Larry Lucido; FredZarguna; PROCON; KC_Lion

Switzerland? It’s a bit hilly don’t you think?

Well, walk down the hill and we’ll pick you up at the bottom of it.

(actually would love to visit)


4 posted on 05/04/2016 9:55:18 AM PDT by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SaveFerris

I went as a teenager in 1971. Even brought back a cuckoo clock.


5 posted on 05/04/2016 9:58:14 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (#GiveTrumpAChance and then pray we don't get fooled again)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

The average person can buy professional fireworks there too. Very cool.


6 posted on 05/04/2016 10:00:13 AM PDT by Suz in AZ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Suz in AZ

The Swiss have very deeply ingrained attitudes about personal liberty.

But they are also very, very careful about extending citizenship by naturalization to those not descended from Swiss ancestors.

You can live in Switzerland for years as a foreign national. But there is a whole different set of rights NOT extended to resident aliens that every Swiss citizen enjoys.

Non-citizens have a VERY difficult time in acquiring any kind of firearm, and visitors are strictly limited on what they may or may not bring in through customs.


7 posted on 05/04/2016 10:22:15 AM PDT by alloysteel (May the fourth be with you....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: alloysteel

Non citizens can’t buy land easily either. You have to have be a permanent resident for five years.


8 posted on 05/04/2016 10:34:10 AM PDT by Suz in AZ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

Where did they get those cute little pistols?


9 posted on 05/04/2016 11:15:40 AM PDT by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

Zermatt is nice but Appenzell is the place to be.


10 posted on 05/04/2016 12:07:54 PM PDT by super7man (Madam Defarge, knitting , knitting, always knitting)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GingisK

Obviously the handguns are not phallic stand-ins and those men are fully confident in their manhood.

Because yeah, they’re just so cute!


11 posted on 05/04/2016 12:07:57 PM PDT by T-Bone Texan (Don't be a lone wolf. Form up small leaderlesss cells ASAP !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: w1n1
Other Countries own Guns too

News flash: other countries have indoor plumbing and electricity. Duh!

12 posted on 05/04/2016 3:19:51 PM PDT by Moltke (Reasoning with a liberal is like watering a rock in the hope to grow a building)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

Guy on left, gotta love the aftermarket picatinny rail on a Schmidt-Rubin K31.


13 posted on 05/04/2016 3:29:40 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson