Another School Shooting in the US

[PaulP]

Without reading the article there are some issues that highlight the difference between the US and Switzerland.

Switzerland has a high level of gun ownership because it has mandatory national service for men and everyone gets to keep the rifle or small arms they were issued with after service is complete. Many homes have a gun of some sort, just one usually. In a time of conflict they can be called up to service at any time, until they are middle aged at which time they may be required to form the home/national guard in times of war.

Secondly the weapons they are issued with are generally single shot sniper type rifles or small arms, they are not all issued with SIG semi-automatics. I believe there has been a change, or proposed change, to disallow the retention of the semi-automatic weapons at the end of service.

Thirdly, you cannot carry firearms in public concealed or in the open, in Switzerland it's illegal to carry firearms of any sort in public. In the US I've sat in bars were people are wearing handguns like Hollywood cowboys or shoulder holsters like Dirty Harry!

Swiss police, care of national service, are all heavily trained, do not wear sunglasses at night and  are respected by the general public!

Perhaps the US should introduce national service as a pre-requirement for gun ownership!

Interesting points.