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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. Switzerland Gun Laws 11 Culture/Society Editorial Editorial Keywords: GUN LAWS Source: 12 The Wall Street Journal Europe Published: June 4, 1999 Author: Stephen P. Halbrook Posted on 08/19/2001 01:28:51 PDT by 13 Pericles US vs. Switzerland Gun Laws The Wall Street Journal Europe June 4, 1999 Stephen P. Congress debated whether to ban "assault weapons," a talk show host asked then-Senator Bill Bradley (New Jersey), a sponsor of the ban, whether guns cause crime. The host noted that, in Switzerland, all males are issued assault rifles for militia service and keep them at home, yet little crime exists there. If there is a Schuetzenfest (shooting festival) in town, you will find rifles slung on hat racks in restaurants, and you will encounter men and women, old and young, walking, biking and taking the tram with rifles over their shoulders, to and from the range. They stroll right past the police station and no one bats an eye. But shooting is the national sport, and the backbone of the national defense as well. More per capita firepower exists in Switzerland than in any other place in the world, yet it is one of the safest places to be. Here are the figures: The Swiss Federal Police Office reports that in 1997 there were 87 intentional homicides and 102 attempted homicides in the entire country. Some 91 of these 189 murders and attempts involved firearms. There were 2,498 robberies (and attempted robberies), of which 546 involved firearms, resulting in a robbery rate of 36 per 100,000. In 1993, not a single armed robbery was reported in Geneva. Congress is stampeding to pass additional firearm restrictions in response to the events of April 20, when two students used guns and bombs to murder a dozen classmates and a teacher in Littleton, Colorado. Yet in 1996, a man who legally owned guns under England's strict regulations went on a rampage, murdering 16 children and a teacher in Dunblane, Scotland. But there have been no school massacres in Switzerland, where guns and kids mix freely. At shooting matches, bicycles aplenty are parked outside. Inside the firing shelter, the competitors pay 12-year-olds tips to keep score. The 16-year-olds shoot rifles with men and women of all ages. While many shoot for sport, all males aged 20 to 42 are required by militia system regulation to keep rifles and/or pistols at home. Homicide is tied to a willingness to resort to violence, not the mere presence of guns. The prevalence of firearms in the home and the participation of youth in shooting matches bind youth to adults and discourages a generation gap. By contrast, homicide rates are highest in the underdeveloped countries, many of which ban private firearm possession. In some, private murder does not compare to the genocidal murder committed by governments against their unarmed subjects. In America, firearms take on a sinister reputation from the nightly news and violent movies. But in Switzerland, firearms symbolize a wholesome, community activity. The typical weekend shooting festival brings out the entire family. Beside the range is a huge tent where scores or hundreds of people are eating, drinking, and socializing. With cantonal and rifle club banners fluttering in the wind, the melody of rifle fire blends with Alpine music and cow bells. Since its founding in 1291, Switzerland has depended on an armed populace for its defense. William Tell used a crossbow not only to shoot the apple from his son's head, but also to kill the tyrant Gessler. For centuries, the cantonal republic defeated the powerful armies of the European monarchs. Monarchist philosopher Jean Bodin, writing in 1606, denounced free speech and arms possession by commoners. Subjects must be disarmed to prevent democratic sedition, he said. John Adams praised the democratic Swiss Cantons, where every man was entitled to vote on laws and to bear arms. Patrick Henry, another American Founding Father, lauded the Swiss for maintaining their independence without "a mighty and splendid President" or a standing army. However, a quick glance at history shows that tyrannical governments kill far more than do private criminals. In 1938, during the Night of the Broken Glass, they disarmed the Jews. When the Nazis occupied Europe in 1939-41, they proclaimed the death penalty for any person who failed to surrender all firearms within 24 hours. There may be various reasons why the Nazis did not invade Switzerland, but one of those reasons is that every Swiss man had a rifle at home. For this we have no better record than the Nazi invasion plans, which stated that, because of the Swiss shooting skills, Switzerland would be difficult to conquer and pacify. European countries occupied by the Nazis had strict gun controls before the war, and the registration lists facilitated confiscation of firearms and the execution of their owners. By being able to keep out of both world wars in part through the dissuasive factor of an armed populace, Switzerland demonstrates that civilian firearm possession may prevent large numbers of deaths and even genocide. The Holocaust never came to Switzerland, the Jewish population of which was armed just like their fellow citizens. In the rest of Europe, what if there had been not just one, but two, three, or many Warsaw Ghetto Uprisings? Traditionally, the Swiss Cantons had few firearm regulations. Certain firearm purchases require a permit, and others do not. On retirement, every soldier may keep his rifle or pistol. Surplus assault rifles may be purchased by any Swiss citizen from the Military Department. Populations with training in civic virtue, though armed, do not experience sensational massacres or high crime rates. From The Wall Street Journal Europe The bottom line is one of attitude. Populations with training in civic virtue, though armed, do not experience sensational massacres or high crime rates. I think the right to bear arms is essential for citizens of a democracy. In fact compared to the either the modern Swiss or the classical Greeks, America's system seems a mess sometimes, IMHO. Just because Americans have a right to bear arms does not mean we carry out the implementation of that right very well or with skill, or the responsibilities that come with that right. That is why I think gun ownership rights in this nation will be diminished as time goes by. Gun ownership needs to be made a grave responsibility of an American citizen. Maybe we should require mandatory classes on the US constitution and US history for gun owners, something to build up a civil system among Americans again. I mention these things because I feel as time goes by Americans will become less "American", and they will forget the reason why the right to bear arms was so important to our Founding Fathers. I know it is a pessamistic thing to say, but as time goes by, I trust less and less my fellow Americans understanding of what it means to be a citizen. We who think that gun ownership is essential have to do something to go on the offensive against the trend to take away our rights. PS: If my opinions on this matter do not come off well, that does not distract the great points from this posted editorial. I would like to add that it is even more seldom to see a crime committed with a military weapon on loan. Most crimes are committed with purchased or stolen weapons. There is always a great sense of responsibility having a powerful automatic weapon at home and nobody will misuse it. When your military duty is ended, you may indeed keep your personal military weapon, but I have to add that the automatic mechanism is disabled for that purpose. England was caught with its pants down, litterally, when the fear of Nazi invasion was realized in WW II. They had disarmed their citizenry and had to make a plea from foreign countries including the US and Canada to rearm their citizens for civil defense. A well armed citizen...
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