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  • Not vetted for CNN

  • Click to view kb0jyl1's profile
    Posted January 21, 2013 by
    kb0jyl1
    Location
    Topeka, Kansas
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    Gun control debate: Background checks

    New Thought on Gun Ownership

     
    Instead of restricting gun ownership, makeing executive orders that violate the hypa laws, why not try what some other countries are doing or have done? We such a reactionary people that we pass stupid or insane laws that either cannot or will not be enforced. If you make something illegal everyone is going to rush out and acquire said item, doesn't matter if it is guns, alcohol, or tobacco (kids smoking, just made them smoke more). We all ready have laws on the books that pretty much cover the gun ownership. New laws are not going to help one bit, since criminals don't obey laws anyway. And I have noticed a rash of law enforcment vehicle burglarys, this tells me the bad guys are all ready stocking up on weapons. I guess maybe what I am trying to say, is the horse is all ready out of the barn, so too late to close the barn door. So lets true another way.......

    FROM THE BBC UK

    Switzerland and the gun

    Swiss troops

    Switzerland has long maintained its armed neutrality

    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.

    Some pro-gun groups argue that Switzerland proves their contention that there is not necessarily a link between the availability of guns and violent crime in society.

    Low crime

    But other commentators suggest that the reality is more complicated.

    Switzerland is one of the world's richest countries, but has remained relatively isolated.

    It has none of the social problems associated with gun crime seen in other industrialised countries like drugs or urban deprivation.

    Despite the lack of rigid gun laws, firearms are strictly connected to a sense of collective responsibility.

    From an early age Swiss men and women associate weaponry with being called to defend their country.

    Swiss Government

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