SWISS SHOOTING LAWS AND ATTITUDE.

SWITZERLAND AND GUNS

I was thinking about this post while doing the washing-up – so it might smell of 'Morning Fresh Lemon Super Concentrate' rather than the usual 'Break-Free' gun lube.

Switzerland doesn't just make watches, Cuckoo-Clocks and chocolates – while completely surrounded by the rest of Europe it stays separate and independent from the EU - and maintains that independence with a strong army and airforces.

 

The Swiss army is a militia. The Swiss Airforce operates more than 200 modern aircraft with peacetime strength of 1600 personnel and 20,000 reservists. Many of these aircraft operate from mountain caverns and fly from specially modified highways having lights and signs that hinge down! (- been there – seen that.). The Army can field approx 200,000 trained soldiers - as all males (females?) between 18 -34 are reservist militia and required to keep their rifle or pistol at home. When they reach the top age limit they may obtain a license to retain their issue weapon permanently as a civilian, under strong regulation. - How does New Zealand compare?

                              Sig SG-550 Stgw 90 Family of Swiss Military Rifles

                                        - Every Home should have one.

Switzerland is a neutral nation and has a Direct Democracy Government – that means that their politicians do what the voters tell them, - not the other way round like us.

Their parliamenterians are elected as administrators - not representatives. Swiss voters make their own policy and law decisions by Referenda. - That's why they have a strong and prosperous Nation – and that is why they are outside the EU – because they don't trust Euro politicians to vote or decide anything on their behalf.

 

                                     SWISS GUN OWNERSHIP - THE REAL STORY

While approx. 30% of Swiss households have a firearm, (10% have Handguns) – Switzerland has one of the lowest Intentional homicide rates in the world at 0.70 per 100,000 population. - Is that despite or because of this high gun ownership?

- The UK , a 'gun-free' society – recorded a Homicide Rate of 1.2 per 100,000.

• New Zealands figure is 0.9 (and Australia is 1.0)
• USAs figure is 4.7 per 100,000. - Ivory Coast (Africa) seems to be the highest recorded at 56.9 per 100,000.
  - Both Monaco and Palau recorded 0. - Hong-Kong, Japan and Singapore were also very low figures.

- Now, where should we go for a nice long holiday?

There used to be talk of New Zealand being "The Switzerland of the Pacific." - But, right now, - we don't compare at all well for our democracy, our military efficiency, or our firearms rights & regulation.

Marty K