Second amendment.

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

Switzerland and the gun


Guns are deeply rooted within Swiss culture - but the gun crime rate is so low that statistics are not even kept.
The country has a population of six million, but there are estimated to be at least two million publicly-owned firearms, including about 600,000 automatic rifles and 500,000 pistols.

This is in a very large part due to Switzerland's unique system of national defence, developed over the centuries.

Instead of a standing, full-time army, the country requires every man to undergo some form of military training for a few days or weeks a year throughout most of their lives.

Between the ages of 21 and 32 men serve as frontline troops. They are given an M-57 assault rifle and 24 rounds of ammunition which they are required to keep at home.

Once discharged, men serve in the Swiss equivalent of the US National Guard, but still have to train occasionally and are given bolt rifles. Women do not have to own firearms, but are encouraged to.

Few restrictions

In addition to the government-provided arms, there are few restrictions on buying weapons. Some cantons restrict the carrying of firearms - others do not.

The government even sells off surplus weaponry to the general public when new equipment is introduced.

Guns and shooting are popular national pastimes. More than 200,000 Swiss attend national annual marksmanship competitions.

But despite the wide ownership and availability of guns, violent crime is extremely rare. There are only minimal controls at public buildings and politicians rarely have police protection.

Mark Eisenecker, a sociologist from the University of Zurich told BBC News Online that guns are "anchored" in Swiss society and that gun control is simply not an issue.

[Ringer]

Guy-please don't move to Arizona. We are far too cruel for you. We ate Bambi's mother.

[Andy Giannini]

Guy, you have one funny arguement.

You seem to think firearms are are a big problem. Some of them are ok by you, but others aren't etc.

I think that bad guys are the real problem. That's right, people that would wish harm to others, mentally unstable, drug crazed you name it.

Why would anyone accept loonies and bad guys running around loose with guns or not is beyond me.

I want to know, if our local law enforcement officers are somehow at such a tactical disadvantage because they lack the proper firearms, how many gun battles have been going on in the Brentwood, Oakley area?

How many gunfights are being fought over there, between as you put it gangbangers and the local law enforcement? If there have been any recently, were there tactical mistakes, or a lack of training for the officers?

You have me curious now, because I haven't been watching the Bay area news very much.

A.G.

(P.S. You are also confused between two different Andys, I did not mention banning guns.)

[Biff]

And all this **** is fishing related

[Jeff C.]

Great stats Jim!

I doubt a case can be made that more gun control leads to less crime. I know it's a cliche but gun control won't keep guns away from criminals.

On the other hand, haven't some groups who argue for looser gun laws (e.g., the NRA) resisted attempts to require background checks and regulation of informal gun sales to make sure guns don't fall into the hands of criminals or the mentally unstable?

From a public safety standpoint, the only advantage I see in tighter gun control laws is to cut down on accidental shootings. I wonder what the statistics show regarding accidental shootings in those states with new concealed carry laws?

[DeltaDan]

And all this **** is fishing related

..........It Better Be !!



Next thing you know it people like Guy are gona ask that Treible Hooks be Taken out of our hands cause they "hurt the fish"........ (He will even have the PETA backing to prove his point -- .....Save us all....... )

Andy; IMHO, I do not advocate any banning of guns in the first place.

Guy- Wake up and take the Riddlin with the Coffee and re-read every post you made on this topic........... Then tell us all that you do not "advocate any banning of guns".........

Cheers,

Sincerely.....
One That IS Not Cybil.....

[Marty]

I would like to point out that the NRA does not promote “looser gun lawsâ€

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

If some Fairy God Mother could wave her magic wand and fire arms would just magically disapear, within 48 hours some one would be killed by a fire arm.
All of the three ingredients that it takes to make Black Powder are available with no restrictions at your local shopping center. The home made black powder plus a 10 inch piece of water pipe with a cap on one end plus a marble and some wads of newspaper, a small hole drilled in the pipe just in front of the pipe cap, using a cigarette to fire the power at the flash hole and a bad guy can blow the marble clear through you. within a few more days they will have trigger mechanisms and sights.
So dream on all of you anti gun owners. But always remember if you are going to be a sheep please dont pull the teeth of the Sheep dogs