There’s a Constitutional Conservative Way to End Mass Shootings [More]
But too many in Switzerland no longer do.
The ‘M’ Word
2 thoughts on “The ‘M’ Word”
Comments are closed.
Skip to content
Notes from the Resistance
“The question is: Why is there such a difference between the two countries? … TIME and the BBC have reported that the Swiss view gun possession as a patriotic duty and important component of national security.”
I’d be willing to bet the rent money that that ain’t it.
Here’s betting that Swiss culture is less diverse, that their society in general is less violent, and that their criminal justice system comes down like a ton of bricks on offenders.
I believe it was “Guns & Ammo” that did a comparison article on the Swiss a few years ago. They noted that on any given Saturday morning, Swiss men of all ages begin coming out of their houses and walking down to their neighborhood rifle range, real live “weapon of war” select fire assault rifle in full view. Their current version is the Stgw90 (Stgw being an abbreviation of the German word Sturmgewehr or assault rifle. Don’t try that here in the USA.
One related difference is that rifle marksmanship is the premier sport in Switzerland, as it once was here in the USA before baseball, basketball and football came on the scene. So as “Hans” is walking to the range, rather that freaking out and calling 911, his neighbors are most likely waving “Hello” or thinking, “I’m overdue to practice as well.”
One of their public ranges, of which they have many) has the firing points on one side of a valley, with the targets on the other side. Down on the valley floor is one of their busy roadways, typically full of speeding traffic oblivious to the rifle bullets going high over head. Don’t try that in the USA either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h1s6S4kotE
It didn’t really take much imagination to see that the coastlines of South America and Africa are a good match. Likewise, it doesn’t take much to guess that our Founders were looking at Switzerland as a model of a Federal Republic of nominally independent states protected by a well armed, well trained militia. Our congress just dropped the ball.
There are very few jokes in Switzerland. But they do exist. One involves their marksmanship skills.
‘During WW1, Switzerland had 250,000 soldiers.
The German Kaiser asked the Swiss ambassador in Berlin: “What would Switzerland do if I invaded with 500 000 soldiers?”
The ambassador replied: “Shoot twice and go home.” ‘