Subject:
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Re: An armed society...
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Mon, 21 Jan 2002 09:32:39 GMT
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Viewed:
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697 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Michael Dallaston writes:
> In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Tore Eriksson writes:
>
> > Yes, I've heard about Switzerland, I even passed though it once. Their
> > knifes and watches are famous and their bank system is a paradise for tax
> > refugees. Also Americans always confuse Sweden and Switzerland, so I sure
> > have about it. What about Switzerland?
> According to my (admittedly rather poor) knowledge of Switzerland, it is the
> perfect example of an armed society, with one of the highest gun-ownership
> levels in the world. It also has a massive national service program.
> According to my SBS world guide, it can mobilise over a million reservists
> in 48 hours. In a population of 7 million.
It is covered in detail here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1566000/1566715.stm
==+==
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.
==+==
But it is not perfect:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1566000/1566321.stm
==+==
A gunman has gone on the rampage in a regional parliament in central
Switzerland, killing at least 14 people before committing suicide.
==+==
Scott A
>
> Switzerland, though is an exception, I know. I'm not pro-gun at all, I just
> don't think a generalization can be made for all countries and cultures.
>
> > The quota is a correction (IMHO) of Franklin W Cain's footer:
> > > Franklin Cain (and please do *not* call me "Frank" ;-)
> > > fwcain@yahoo.com | http://fcain.tripod.com/
> > > ------------------------------------------------------------
> > > Gun Control means HITTING YOUR TARGET!! (http://www.nra.org)
> > > "An armed society is a polite society." -- Robert A. Heinlein
> > > ------------------------------------------------------------
> That is also a blatant generalization.
>
> Michael Dallaston
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: An armed society...
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| (...) This system is fairly similar to that in Norway. A fair amount of those men who undergo the compulsory military service are enrolled in "Heimevernet", probably fairly similar to the US National Guard. They keep an automatic rifle (AG3) at (...) (23 years ago, 21-Jan-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: An armed society...
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| (...) According to my (admittedly rather poor) knowledge of Switzerland, it is the perfect example of an armed society, with one of the highest gun-ownership levels in the world. It also has a massive national service program. According to my SBS (...) (23 years ago, 21-Jan-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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