Switzerland: The Gun Lobby's Favorite Example

Among western countries, Switzerland is second in gun ownership, only behind the United States. Switzerland is well known for low crime rates and an abundance of automatic weapons and military ammunition. The gun lobby is quick to point out that guns are plentiful, and the reason for the low crime rate. However, it is not that simple. In addition to ridding poverty with a minimum wage equivalent to $50,000, Switzerland does not have a standing army. Only about 5% of its protective forces are full-time military personnel, and are mainly protecting armories, landing strips, bases, and operating military vehicles. Every male aged 19-34 is required to give service as a militiaman, and receives government military training for 18-21 weeks, as well as take part in annual marksmanship training. Militiamen who choose to take their automatic weapons home are required to have a permit, otherwise their weapon will be stored in a local armory. Military rounds are also no longer given to normal militiamen to take home, but only to roughly 2000 military personnel that actively guard strategic targets. The military-grade ammunition is in a sealed box and regularly audited by the government to ensure proper use, and only one box of 50 rounds is provided.

For a civilian to purchase any firearm, a background check, knowledge exam, weapons handling skills test, and permit is required; and the civilian is limited to only three firearms. All commercially sold ammunition is also tracked by the government from point-of-sale, to purchaser. Any non-military issued automatic or select fire weapon, and any purchase or use of suppressors, is forbidden. In order for a civilian, after militia service, to keep his weapon he must also receive another permit. To publicly carry your weapon, you must be en route to military training or have yet an additional permit which is usually only given to police or security workers. Switzerland is also strict in enforcement of the transporting of weapons. During transport, all firearms must be kept unloaded, and only be transported to and from official military/militia training, and/or gun sales.

The US gun lobby wants to make you believe that ultra-safe Switzerland has the most relaxed gun laws, but even their laws are more restrictive than any of our traditional gun-loving states.