Neutral Switzerland and Guns: The Best Combination

According to USAtoday, Switzerland has earned its reputation as a nation that is full of firearms, yet has some of the lowest crime in the world. In Switzerland, there are approximately 46 firearms per 100 people, which is less than America, but it must be remembered that Switzerland is a much smaller country than the United States. It is estimated that there are around 3.4 million firearms in Switzerland, a country with a population of roughly 8 million. The firearms are given to the Swiss citizens by the government, due to the need for militias to protect the small country. The firearms are not given to unprepared and untrained civilians, however. All males, from the age of 18 to 34, receive military training. After the training, every citizen may take their true, military-issued, fully-automatic assault rifle or semi-automatic handgun back home with them if the need ever rises for citizen soldiers to aid the government in protecting the country. It is believed that these facts caused Hitler to reconsider invading Switzerland. Switzerland's citizenship used to also be issued ammunition as well, but that has changed in recent years. Many Americans will cite Switzerland in gun control arguments, as the country is filled with firearms, yet there is extremely low crime compared to the United States. This reference has aggravated many of Switzerland's citizens, as the firearms are meant to protect the country, not personal property or families. I personally do not understand this because, if I heard someone breaking into my home, that firearm would become loaded and ready to protect my family before anything else was done. However, the facts cannot be denied, Switzerland does have many firearms and extremely low crime. Most criminals would think twice before committing a crime in Switzerland, simply for the fear of being killed.