The Israelis and Swiss are cited as 'gun control' models. Would the 'Swiss model' work in the U.S.?

2015-12-06T20:09:18-05:00

If ever a nation had "a well-regulated militia," it is Switzerland. Nineteenth-century economist Adam Smith thought Switzerland the only place where the whole body of the people had successfully been drilled in militia skills. Indeed, the militia is virtually synonymous with the nation. "The Swiss do not have an army, they [ARE] the army, says one government publication. Fully deployed, the Swiss army has 15.2 men per square kilometre; in contrast, the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. have only .2 soldiers per square kilometre. Switzerland is 76 times denser with soldiers than either superpower. Indeed, only Israel has more army per square kilometre. Switzerland is also the only Western nation to provide shelters fully stocked with food and enough supplies to last a year for all its citizens in case of war. The banks and supermarkets subsidise much of the stockpiling. The banks also have plans to move their gold into the mountainous center of Switzerland in case of invasion. The nation is ready to mobilise on a moment's notice. Said one Swiss citizen-soldier, "If we start in the morning, we would be mobilised by late afternoon. That is why the gun is at home, the ammunition is at home. The younger people all have automatic rifles. They are ready to fight." Citizen-soldiers on their way to mobilisation points may flag down and commandeer passing automobiles.
Since 1291, when the landsgemeinden (people's assemblies) formed circles in the village squares, and only men carrying swords could vote, weapons have been the mark of citizenship. As a Military Department spokesman said, "It is an old Swiss tradition that only an armed man can have political rights." This policy is based on the understanding that only those who bear the burden of keeping Switzerland free are entitled to fully enjoy the benefits of freedom.
http://www.guncite.com/swissgun-kopel.html

"What America can learn from Switzerland is that the best way to reduce gun misuse is to promote responsible gun ownership."

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Dec 6 at 2015 8:12 PM

2015-12-06T20:12:34-05:00

We lack the homogeneity and single-mindedness the Swiss seem to enjoy, and which has worked for their society for centuries, to work for us--sadly. We are too narcissistic and therefore divided in our myriad agendas.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 6 at 2015 8:24 PM

2015-12-06T20:24:09-05:00

I they had more that 20~M population combined.... maybe.

We have 320M.

Let's look at those numbers. Each of those countries have about 3%~ of our population. Can we really compared them?

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Dec 6 at 2015 8:45 PM

2015-12-06T20:45:14-05:00

Check out Dr. Edwin Vieira. We need to revitalize the institution of the Constitutional Militia in each State, immediately.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 10:24 PM

2015-12-06T22:24:34-05:00

I think that we could do something like that. Now we would not look like them it would need to be different for America but I think that the idea of most citizens armed is a good one that we should do.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Dec 7 at 2015 1:17 AM

2015-12-07T01:17:49-05:00

I keep seeing how everyone on the right seems to support the Swiss-method for handling firearms based on how well it seems to be working... so, I decided to take a look at it, and here's what I found:

1. Requires licensing to purchase weapons and a separate license to carry. Automatic firearms are banned.

2. Has a database of all weapons licenses.

3. Military service is REQUIRED for all men as part of the militia (because its the militia element that makes the guns necessary). This is the "training" part of the law.

4. Each license application is for ONE weapon - so, if you want more than one, you have to get more than one license.

5. Three elements must be met to get a carry license:
a. Demonstrates a need to protect themselves or others or property.
b. Pass a knowledge and practical skill exam.
c. Is otherwise legally qualified.

6. The exam consists of:
a. A knowledge test of criminal provisions on violent crimes and self-defense, and necessity as a justification or excuse
b. Federal and cantonal (state) weapons law provisions
c. Types of weapons and ammunition
d. Security measures and proper conduct when carrying weapons.
e. Practical examination tests the applicant’s skill in handling the weapon, including loading, unloading, operating the safety device, and shooting.

If THIS is what the right-wing agrees is effective and reasonable gun control, then I'm all in! This is 99% of everything that the "anti-gun" left wants in gun control.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made May 22 at 2016 12:06 PM

2016-05-22T12:06:39-04:00

Let us have all your assets and then we can negotiate on the guns. For some reason, the Swiss Bankers had the solution to world problems in WWII.

Response by MAJ Damajah Arnold made Jun 29 at 2020 11:29 AM

2020-06-29T11:29:43-04:00

What an absurd comparison. Switzerland is a landlocked mountainous country surrounded on three sides by large countries they have historical cultural, and linguistically ties with. It has no strategic value and no natural resources. Any country attacking it risks attack from the other two, as soon as it gets bogged down. Despite this, Switzerland has managed to maintain its neutrality by serving as the primary banker for the world’s most corrupt despots and money launderers, all protected by the country’s finance secrecy laws.

Response by MSG Lonnie Averkamp made Jun 15 at 2023 2:50 AM

2023-06-15T02:50:36-04:00

While training, productive citizenship, and non-criminal status may be good qualifiers to the Constitutional right to having a firearm, let's start by applying that standard to the Constitutional right to vote first. Then we may not have to go any farther.