- Switzerland is Europe's gun capital. It has more
firepower
per person than any other country in the world yet it is said to be one
of the safest places on Earth.
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- Despite the prevalence of lethal hardware, the country
has virtually no violent crime, there are only minimal controls at public
buildings, and politicians rarely have police protection, although
yesterday's
events are bound to bring about a review of that situation.
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- Year after year, Switzerland has one of the world's
lowest
murder rates while sending machine guns to every member of their citizen
army.
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- All males between 20 and 42 are required to keep rifles
and pistols at home for the purposes of national defence and they are not
kept in safes or with trigger locks. They are kept at the ready.
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- It was the Swiss passion for guns matched by their
determination
to keep their liberty that kept the Nazi war machine at bay.
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- When the Swiss government thought an invasion was
imminent,
it ordered every able-bodied man to stand by his post and defend it to
the last round. Their determination, shooting skills, and the sheer
quantity
of weapons at their disposal persuaded Hitler that an invasion of
Switzerland
was not worth the cost and he should concentrate his efforts on conquering
countries with strict gun control laws.
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- The nation's militia system requires males over 18 to
be ready for a call to service.
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- Every Monday and Friday, men wearing uniforms and
carrying
weapons can be seen on commuter trains travelling to and from military
camp for compulsory training.
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- Other countries have tennis courts and golf courses,
the Swiss have shooting ranges. Almost every town has one, where reservists
have to fire a set number of rounds each year to keep their weapons.
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- In restaurants and coffee shops, tourists sometimes find
themselves competing with guns for places to hang their coats.
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- However, Switzerland is facing pressures for gun
control.
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- Neighbouring countries are clamouring for tougher
restrictions
and the state parliament building shootings are likely to accelerate the
demands.
- Link
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- MainPage
http://www.rense.com
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