Posted on 05/31/2015 6:32:37 AM PDT by 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, Switzerlands 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 regiments 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.)
Doesn't that put a bit of a crimp in the "fight his way to the regiment's assembly point" notion?
Actually 2nd lowest.
VT: .87%
MT: .67%
HI, surprisingly, is over 3%.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_African-American_population
It’s time to make it legal again to own and shoot full-auto!
I interviewed a Swiss gentleman for a school project a few decades back. He told me that every household is issued a fully automatic machine gun and ammo by the Government, however the ammo is sealed and is only lawful to use if there is ever an invasion.
There is no such thing as gun culture. Culture is an attribute of people.
The Swiss are first and foremost Swiss. They restrict immigration. Enough said.
At this point, it would be a grave mistake to make all of our young adults more skilled in military matters.
“Its 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.”
And this is what we must revert to if we are to survive. No more Hispanics from south of the border and for sure no more Muzzies (and we should severely limit immigration from Europe too).
They do keep a basic loadout of ammo at home but it is strictly controlled.
The Swiss are gearing up for their national shooting festival again this year. At least one of the sponsors is usually a brewery.
"Hold my beer stein, Hans, and watch this shot..."
Wasn’t Switzerland ‘taken over’ by the Crusaders back in the day? There’s reason for the Guardia Svizzera... and their other sane freedoms.
As I am going to say, it won’t pass in congress because plenty of those in politics wouldn’t want to let their kids serve in harm’s way; although at the same time, it would possibly deter expeditionary wars with so many people’s children at stake.
The gun grabbers started long before that. the first letter to a senator I ever wrote was about some gun law back in 1968
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.