[Sonart]

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Quote by: Lindsay Take a look at that murder rates chart that Sonart posted.. Switzerland has a considerably smaller murder rate than the United States, but yet, Switzerland has one of the highest gun ownership rates in the world. Military training is mandatory for young men, and they keep their assault rifles at home.

Yes, take a look. Switzerland may be less murderous than the U.S., but it is still number FIVE out the 37.

And this, Lindsay, is a small, insolated, peaceful agricultural nation that has no history of taming a wilderness, going to war or crime. A quaint, humble land of cheese,watch makers and banking... and they're number five.

How does that work?

Quote by: Lindsay One of the reasons that Switzerland was not invaded by the Germans in World War 2 was because the whole country has military training and guns.

LOLOLOL!!! Yeah, right... Germany takes on the largest, most modern army in Europe, France, and the huge Soviet Empire. But they're terrified of little Swithzland and their militia???

Switzerland was non-political, largely Aryan, and had neutral banks, Lindsay. Germany liked Switzerland the way it was... it's where they stashed all their loot.

Quote by: Lindsay Don't think that banning guns will lower the murder rate, it won't. I'll use Switzerland as an example again..

Oh, please, no! I'm all atremble.

Quote by: Lindsay Not that I'm advocating that kind of government. It's not my ideal..

Got it... other countries are less violent than the U.S. because their poor and middle class people live better.

But not that that's a GOOD thing.

Quote by: Isbskins Facinating. Ask yourself a simple question. If I proposed legislation tomorrow that had has it's central provision that everyone is the country could keep all their guns as long as they only used them when the government authorized the use and that every home was subject to random ammunition and weapons use tests, who do you think would be the first ones ready to kill me, those who support gun control legislation or those who oppose it? Just asking.

Hmmm... let me think,

Quote by: JaneDoe There seem to be at least two "camps" of gun owners

Methinks you're missing a very large third group, Jane. People like the ones Muckraker described, people who simply like to have guns... either because it makes them feel dangerous and powerful, or simply because it's entertaining.

I'm one of the latter... I love shooting. It's a hoot. My father was like that too. He had two shotguns - and 10 gauge and good 'ol double barrel 12 gauge - a 30.06 hunting rifle, a 30.30 classic Winchester, and M1 Carbine, an old German Ruger .22 cal pistol, and a Colt .45. We used to love to go shooting. Alas, it's how he lost his hearing.

I'm just grounded enough to understand that my personal enjoyment isn't justification for our country being the nation of gun addled thugs that it is. And I don't think either of us, my dad and I, have ever seriously worried about defending our homes. We both had dogs to do that.

Quote by: Lindsay No, but it's an alternative to banning guns isn't it

No, it's Switzerland's way of avoiding the expense of supporting a large standing Army. (Obviously they don't need a Navy).

Are you suggesting the U.S.A. do away with our Army, Navy and Marines and go back to neighborhood militias, just so folks could own a gun... whether they wanted to or not?

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