Guns and Self-Defense > Guns/Firearms
Liberals love europe........but totally ignore Switzerland.
newman:
The Wall Street Journal Europe
June 4, 1999 Stephen P. Halbrook
--- Quote ---In 1994, when the U.S. Congress debated whether to ban "assault weapons," a talk show host asked then-Senator Bill Bradley (New Jersey), a sponsor of the ban, whether guns cause crime. The host noted that, in Switzerland, all males are issued assault rifles for militia service and keep them at home, yet little crime exists there. Sen. Bradley responded that the Swiss "are pretty dull."
For those who think that target shooting is more fun than golf, however, Switzerland is anything but "dull." By car or train, you see shooting ranges everywhere, but few golf courses. If there is a Schuetzenfest (shooting festival) in town, you will find rifles slung on hat racks in restaurants, and you will encounter men and women, old and young, walking, biking and taking the tram with rifles over their shoulders, to and from the range. They stroll right past the police station and no one bats an eye. (Try this in the U.S., and a SWAT Team might do you in.).................
............. But shooting is the national sport, and the backbone of the national defense as well. More per capita firepower exists in Switzerland than in any other place in the world, yet it is one of the safest places to be.................
.............The U.N. study omits mention of Switzerland, which is awash in guns and has substantially lower murder and robbery rates than England, where most guns are banned.
Here are the figures: The Swiss Federal Police Office reports that in 1997 there were 87 intentional homicides and 102 attempted homicides in the entire country. Some 91 of these 189 murders and attempts involved firearms. With its population of seven million (including 1.2 million foreigners), Switzerland had a homicide rate of 1.2 per 100,000. There were 2,498 robberies (and attempted robberies), of which 546 involved firearms, resulting in a robbery rate of 36 per 100,000. Almost half of these crimes were committed by non-resident foreigners, whom locals call "criminal tourists."
Sometimes, the data sound too good to be true. In 1993, not a single armed robbery was reported in Geneva. No one seems to be looking at the Swiss example in the U.S...................
...................But there have been no school massacres in Switzerland, where guns and kids mix freely. At shooting matches, bicycles aplenty are parked outside. Inside the firing shelter, the competitors pay 12-year-olds tips to keep score. The 16-year-olds shoot rifles with men and women of all ages. In fact, the tourist brochure, "Zurich News" recommends September's Knabenschiessen (boy's shooting contest) as a must-see: "The oldest Zurich tradition consists of a shooting contest at the Albisguetli (range) for 12 to 16 year-old boys and girls and a colorful three-day fun-fair." The event has been held since 1657, and attracts thousands of teenage participants and spectators.
While many shoot for sport, all males aged 20 to 42 are required by militia system regulation to keep rifles and/or pistols at home. In addition, gun shops abound. Yet firearms are rarely used in crime.
Homicide is tied to a willingness to resort to violence, not the mere presence of guns. The prevalence of firearms in the home and the participation of youth in shooting matches bind youth to adults and discourages a generation gap.
By contrast, homicide rates are highest in the underdeveloped countries, many of which ban private firearm possession. In some, private murder does not compare to the genocidal murder committed by governments against their unarmed subjects.
In America, firearms take on a sinister reputation from the nightly news and violent movies. But in Switzerland, firearms symbolize a wholesome, community activity. The typical weekend shooting festival brings out the entire family. Beside the range is a huge tent where scores or hundreds of people are eating, drinking, and socializing. With cantonal and rifle club banners fluttering in the wind, the melody of rifle fire blends with Alpine music and cow bells.
Since its founding in 1291, Switzerland has depended on an armed populace for its defense. William Tell used a crossbow not only to shoot the apple from his son's head, but also to kill the tyrant Gessler. For centuries, the cantonal republic defeated the powerful armies of the European monarchs. Machiavelli wrote in 1532: "The Swiss are well armed and enjoy great freedom."
This coincidence has not escaped the notice of those who oppose liberty.
Monarchist philosopher Jean Bodin, writing in 1606, denounced free speech and arms possession by commoners. Subjects must be disarmed to prevent democratic sedition, he said. The Swiss proved, Bodin wrongly averred, that arms bearing was "the cause of an infinite number of murders."
The Swiss militia model, however, preserved democracy and held Europe's despots at bay. In fact, it inspired the rebellious American colonists.
John Adams praised the democratic Swiss Cantons, where every man was entitled to vote on laws and to bear arms. Patrick Henry, another American Founding Father, lauded the Swiss for maintaining their independence without "a mighty and splendid President" or a standing army.....................
--- End quote ---
Full story:
http://www.theblessingsofliberty.com/articles/article11.html
White Israelite:
No surprise, Switzerland has a higher ratio of gun ownership than England yet less crime.
newman:
--- Quote from: Cohen on February 17, 2008, 02:21:16 PM ---No surprise, Switzerland has a higher ratio of gun ownership than England yet less crime.
--- End quote ---
Switzerland has more 'firepower' per head of population than the USA does. It also has the lowest crime and murder rate in the whole world.
I wonder how the liberals always overlook this. ::)
White Israelite:
--- Quote from: newman on February 17, 2008, 02:24:27 PM ---
--- Quote from: Cohen on February 17, 2008, 02:21:16 PM ---No surprise, Switzerland has a higher ratio of gun ownership than England yet less crime.
--- End quote ---
Switzerland has more 'firepower' per head of population than the USA does. It also has the lowest crime and murder rate in the whole world.
I wonder how the liberals always overlook this. ::)
--- End quote ---
I've brought it up in several forums and they always say "oh Switzerland is different, they follow the militia model and their cultures different" yet if I mention differences in culture, they refer back to bowling to columbine and say America should be disarmed, talk about hypocrites.
newman:
--- Quote from: Cohen on February 17, 2008, 02:34:08 PM ---
--- Quote from: newman on February 17, 2008, 02:24:27 PM ---
--- Quote from: Cohen on February 17, 2008, 02:21:16 PM ---No surprise, Switzerland has a higher ratio of gun ownership than England yet less crime.
--- End quote ---
Switzerland has more 'firepower' per head of population than the USA does. It also has the lowest crime and murder rate in the whole world.
I wonder how the liberals always overlook this. ::)
--- End quote ---
I've brought it up in several forums and they always say "oh Switzerland is different, they follow the militia model and their cultures different" yet if I mention differences in culture, they refer back to bowling to columbine and say America should be disarmed, talk about hypocrites.
--- End quote ---
So according to these certifiably insane liberals (see the WND story) Switzerland is armed to the teeth AND safe because of culture. Yet, when we site an amoral culture as the cause of America's crime, they say it's guns and NOT culture?? :o
Am I missing something?
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