The Swiss Difference: A Gun Culture That Works

December 20, 2012 | Helena Bachmann

[Timber Rattler]

Even as the gun-control debate rises again in the U.S. in the aftermath of the horrific school shooting in Newtown, Conn., the gun-loving Swiss are not about to lay down their arms. Guns are ubiquitous in this neutral nation, with sharpshooting considered a fun and wholesome recreational activity for people of all ages.

Even though Switzerland has not been involved in an armed conflict since a standoff between Catholics and Protestants in 1847, the Swiss are very serious not only about their right to own weapons but also to carry them around in public. Because of this general acceptance and even pride in gun ownership, nobody bats an eye at the sight of a civilian riding a bus, bike or motorcycle to the shooting range, with a rifle slung across the shoulder.

(snip)

Unlike some other heavily armed nations, Switzerland’s gun ownership is deeply rooted in a sense of patriotic duty and national identity. Weapons are kept at home because of the long-held belief that enemies could invade tiny Switzerland quickly, so every soldier had to be able to fight his way to his regiment’s assembly point. (Switzerland was at risk of being invaded by Germany during World War II but was spared, historians say, because every Swiss man was armed and trained to shoot.)

[Timber Rattler]

An older article, but I just saw it this morning and found it very interesting. Seems to me like the U.S. once had the same tradition as the Swiss (i.e. the CMP, Boy Scouts, school rifle clubs, etc.), but lost it once the gun-grabbers began attacking the 2nd Amendment in the 1980s and breaking down that tradition.

Both sad and infuriating.

[wrench]

Nothing wrong with today’s American gun culture. The problem is America’s THUG culture. These are 2 different cultures, worlds apart.

[no-to-illegals]

The problem is America’s THUG culture.

The THUG culture is a by-product of America's political culture. The lawlessness of the political culture encourages the THUG culture to exist. Is almost impossible to see the difference between the political culture and the THUG culture and the two do support and encourage each other to exist.

[Timber Rattler]

You are correct.

[Timber Rattler]

And you are correct too.

[mabarker1]

We need to add SCUMBAG POLITICIANS and the Useless Nations crowd to Your list.

[AnalogReigns]

Switzerland is both a very small country, and a very rural country. Its cities are small by US standards, and since the whole country is the size of one US state, with lots of little villages all within a very few miles of each other, and never more than an hour or so from a city—a lot of people just don’t live in the cities. And of course rural areas are always gun-friendly.

It’s also next to impossible to become a naturalized Swiss citizen. 99%+ of citizens were born to Swiss parents. This makes for a very stable, homogenous population....with deep roots, and profound love of country.

Guns, while legal, are also though heavily regulated. Everything is registered. And while every able bodied man 40 and under has a true assault rifle in his home (in case the militia is called up) they do not keep the ammo for it there....Ammo for military weapons is controlled by the government.

So its not paradise. However, Switzerland is wonderful. One of the most free nations on earth, and more democratic than the USA.

[rellimpank]

—link to the full article—

—http://world.time.com/2012/12/20/the-swiss-difference-a-gun-culture-that-works/

[Don Corleone]

Apparently it doesn’t prevent bike accidents though. Don’t curb bans...Ban Curbs!/snicker

[Morpheus2009]

Switzerland has mandatory military service for young adults, something that is a pipe dream to actually pass in the U.S.

[TigersEye]

One difference in Swiss gun culture is that their government helps gun owners it doesn’t fight them.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Vermont has essentially no guns laws and the lowest crime rate.

They also have the lowest percentage of “Amish”.

Coincidence?

[ecomcon]

It’s also next to impossible to become a naturalized Swiss citizen. 99%+ of citizens were born to Swiss parents. This makes for a very stable, homogenous population....with deep roots, and profound love of country. --------------------------------

Borders, language, culture. All three are gone.

[EEGator]

No.

[vetvetdoug]

When one separates the racial demographics leaving out the Latino and Race of professional victims, the crime rate in the US is lower than that of the Europeans. The liberals and the thug culture belonging to the minorities, soon to be majority, is much more violent than that of the others.

[Robert DeLong]

Thank you

[Jim Noble]

Unlike some other heavily armed nations, the Swiss are one people and plan to remain so.

[Jim Noble]

borders, language, culture

Actually, Switzerland has four languages, and all Swiss speak at least two plus English fluently.

However, to use one's mother tongue to create a separate ethnicity is forbidden.

[Timber Rattler]

Thanks for the link. That’s the third time FR has not included the link on one of my posts over the past week. I’m starting to think I might have some sort of browser problem.

[Batman11]

PFL