“Current gun control policies are ineffective, and making them tighter will only make things worse. Maybe we could learn from the Swiss. In Switzerland, the gun crime rate is so low that statistics are not even kept. With a population of six million, there are estimated to be about two million firearms.”
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Current gun control policies are ineffective, and making them tighter will only make things worse.

Maybe we could learn from the Swiss. In Switzerland, the gun crime rate is so low that statistics are not even kept. With a population of six million, there are estimated to be about two million firearms.

The reason behind this may lay in Switzerland’s defense system. Instead of having a standing, full-time army, the country requires that every man goes through military training for a few weeks every year.

For most of their lives, every man in Switzerland is involved in something very similar to our National Guard.

From the ages of 21 to 32, men serve as front-line troops, and are given a weapon and ammunition to keep in their home. Once discharged, they are given a bolt rifle and still occasionally train.

There are few restrictions on gun ownership, and many citizens enjoy shooting as a hobby.

From an early age, Switzerland’s citizens associate firearms with a call to defend their country.

We can certainly learn from Switzerland, though there are reasons why this system is so effective for the Swiss. Switzerland is one of the world’s richest countries, and is relatively isolated.

Their method (or lack) of gun control may not work in America, which is plagued by many social problems the Swiss do not face.

One thing is certain, however. Tightening gun control laws or even banning the ownership of firearms will not lower the rate of violent crimes involving guns.

We have to look in other places and be a bit more creative if we want to do that.

How many gangsters actually buy their gun in a gun shop?

How many killers are going to make sure they acquire their guns legally?

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