Exactly. When I was there (granted that was mid 80s) every man had a gun and every single one knew how to use it VERY WELL. They had practice. It was inconceivable to use it for anything other than national defense (or maybe a wolf or something). Totally different perspective. Hopefully Bruno can correct that perception if it is now toally false...




>Isn't it also that they have a very low gun-crime, despite this - that they can be trusted with the arm?
>
>>One thing you will NEVER see here is a soldier carrying his weapon around a local grocery store... :0)
>>
>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Switzerland
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>>
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>>>>>>>When explaining the Dutch mentality to US troops in WWII, Margaret Mead said "The Dutch are always right," adding, "In this they resemble the Americans." ;-) By which she meant that both nations have strong ideas about how things should be, and aren't afraid to say so.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I'm afraid that neither nation is paramount in this area, however. I'm fairly sure that that award goes to the Swiss who complain forcibly in multiple languages if the 14:23 train is 10 seconds late. ;-)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>And are famously neutral when the bullets fly.
>>>>>
>>>>>Come on, which part of neutral don't you understand?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>The part that seems afraid to fight. No offense.
>>>
>>>No offense taken. It probably has something to do with our past. Once upon a time a lot of swiss had to hire in foreign armies to make a living (actually, often the only way to be able to live). And they often were/got "slaughtered". Like the OZ and New Zealand troops during WWII.
>>>
>>>BTW, we're no longer allowed to hire in foreign armies. But never expect a Swiss to avoid a fight if he feels it's necessary. You might get surprised.
>>>
>>>Switzerland often offered it's services, so that two parties/countries at war got the opportunity to sit at a table and eventually to make peace again. And that's only possible cause we are neutral.