THE SWISS MILITIA

[casingpoint]

So how long is a guy in a steeple yelling at five am for everybody to wake up going to last in a nation full of people well versed in long range shooting? I'm just sayin'...

[Purplehood]

I particularly enjoyed the anti-socialist part. Btw, what is this largest offshore drilling company in the world that you speak of Purple?

The one that I work for.

[davidtx]

Interesting utube post Oldgringo, thanks! I wasn't aware that after serving in the military, the military GAVE their issue rifles to them when they exited the military. What a concept! The army giving a person who's leaving the military, the rifle that was issued to them.

And they probably wouldn't let you say that you didn't want it. I have been told that it is required of every Swiss male over 18 to have his military rifle in his house.

I used to travel to Switzerland for work quite a bit in the 90's. I was initially surprised to see Swiss in military uniforms, obviously traveling, but carrying their weapons. I asked a colleague one night while visiting his apartment and he told me about the requirement to be armed. I looked surprised, so he opened his closet, showed me his rifle and dug around on the top shelf until he found the can of bullets.

-davidtx

[Purplehood]

Interesting utube post Oldgringo, thanks! I wasn't aware that after serving in the military, the military GAVE their issue rifles to them when they exited the military. What a concept! The army giving a person who's leaving the military, the rifle that was issued to them.

And they probably wouldn't let you say that you didn't want it. I have been told that it is required of every Swiss male over 18 to have his military rifle in his house.

I used to travel to Switzerland for work quite a bit in the 90's. I was initially surprised to see Swiss in military uniforms, obviously traveling, but carrying their weapons. I asked a colleague one night while visiting his apartment and he told me about the requirement to be armed. I looked surprised, so he opened his closet, showed me his rifle and dug around on the top shelf until he found the can of bullets.

-davidtx

As I understand it the tin of bullets is not to be opened except in case of an emergency. However the citizen is expected (required?) to go to his local shooting club and fire his weapon with rounds purchased at the club at least annually if I recall correctly. If our culture worked the same way, I would fully support this for the US.

[Dragonfighter]

Two things to keep in mind about Switzerland:
1) Homogeneity
2)Some of the Lowest Crime rate relates to what is NOT criminal.

[marksiwel]

Two things to keep in mind about Switzerland:
1) Homogeneity
2)Some of the Lowest Crime rate relates to what is NOT criminal.

I really only care about Violent crime, I dont consider Drug use and speeding citations as important.

But yeah its easy to get along with everyone when everyone has the same, religious background, ethnicity and history as yourself

[Purplehood]

Two things to keep in mind about Switzerland:
1) Homogeneity
2)Some of the Lowest Crime rate relates to what is NOT criminal.

I really only care about Violent crime, I dont consider Drug use and speeding citations as important.

But yeah its easy to get along with everyone when everyone has the same, religious background, ethnicity and history as yourself

I got the impression that they speak 5-7 languages for a reason...

[chabouk]

1) Homogeneity

Not with four official languages, plus English. They might be homogeneous within a town, less so in a canton, and not at all as a nation.

The Swiss aren't just blue-eyed blonde German speakers, yanno. They are also red-headed Tyrolean Italians, dark-haired Alpine French, and swarthy eastern Romansch.

The one thing they care about most, what really binds them, is local autonomy. They don't care what the others do, as long as they can do their own thing.

[marksiwel]

1) Homogeneity

Not with four official languages, plus English. They might be homogeneous within a town, less so in a canton, and not at all as a nation.

The Swiss aren't just blue-eyed blonde German speakers, yanno. They are also red-headed Tyrolean Italians, dark-haired Alpine French, and swarthy eastern Romansch.

The one thing they care about most, what really binds them, is local autonomy. They don't care what the others do, as long as they can do their own thing.

We need some more of that in this country

[KD5NRH]

I got the impression that they speak 5-7 languages for a reason...

Yeah; so that when the EU runs all the countries around them into the ground, the Swiss will be able to give orders to their (cheaply) hired help.

[Drewthetexan]

Interesting utube post Oldgringo, thanks! I wasn't aware that after serving in the military, the military GAVE their issue rifles to them when they exited the military. What a concept! The army giving a person who's leaving the military, the rifle that was issued to them.

And they probably wouldn't let you say that you didn't want it. I have been told that it is required of every Swiss male over 18 to have his military rifle in his house.

I used to travel to Switzerland for work quite a bit in the 90's. I was initially surprised to see Swiss in military uniforms, obviously traveling, but carrying their weapons. I asked a colleague one night while visiting his apartment and he told me about the requirement to be armed. I looked surprised, so he opened his closet, showed me his rifle and dug around on the top shelf until he found the can of bullets.

-davidtx

As I understand it the tin of bullets is not to be opened except in case of an emergency. However the citizen is expected (required?) to go to his local shooting club and fire his weapon with rounds purchased at the club at least annually if I recall correctly. If our culture worked the same way, I would fully support this for the US.

I just talked to someone from Switzerland. All men are required to serve, and after service they are issued a Fass 90 or a SIG 550 and a box of bullets. They then hold onto that box until ordered to "mandatory shooting" ("tiro obbligatorio") every year or two. After, they are issued another box that they keep until the next round.

[marksiwel]

http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Euro ... ROUPS.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
s of 2002, 65% of the population was German; 18% was French; 10% was Italian; 1% was Romansh; and 6% was comprised of various other groups.

Read more: Ethnic groups - Switzerland http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Euro ... z0cixfQQY5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Compare that to the full page detailing the USA
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Amer ... ROUPS.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The reason that they have several languages is Location Location Location, also they TEACH several in their public schools unlike the US.

As far as Religion it appears to be Mostly Swiss Reformed Church and Catholic with acouple of sub groups and non-religious.


Switzerland is pretty homogeneous

[chabouk]

http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Euro ... ROUPS.html
s of 2002, 65% of the population was German; 18% was French; 10% was Italian; 1% was Romansh; and 6% was comprised of various other groups.

Read more: Ethnic groups - Switzerland http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Euro ... z0cixfQQY5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Compare that to the full page detailing the USA
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Amer ... ROUPS.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The reason that they have several languages is Location Location Location, also they TEACH several in their public schools unlike the US.

As far as Religion it appears to be Mostly Swiss Reformed Church and Catholic with acouple of sub groups and non-religious.


Switzerland is pretty homogeneous

Not to question the numbers you cite, but a native Swiss ("LeagueOf1291") says Switzerland is far less homogeneous than other western nations: http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=35127" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[marksiwel]

http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Euro ... ROUPS.html
s of 2002, 65% of the population was German; 18% was French; 10% was Italian; 1% was Romansh; and 6% was comprised of various other groups.

Read more: Ethnic groups - Switzerland http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Euro ... z0cixfQQY5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Compare that to the full page detailing the USA
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Amer ... ROUPS.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The reason that they have several languages is Location Location Location, also they TEACH several in their public schools unlike the US.

As far as Religion it appears to be Mostly Swiss Reformed Church and Catholic with acouple of sub groups and non-religious.


Switzerland is pretty homogeneous

Not to question the numbers you cite, but a native Swiss ("LeagueOf1291") says Switzerland is far less homogeneous than other western nations: http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=35127" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry that graph was for the US, Compared to the US Switzerland isnt that homogeneous
Also Crime is down because the "Poor' arent really that, with access to free Health care, Government Food Programs, Housing, Job Banks ect, so its hard to have to turn to illegal activities.
Blah, anyway, they have lots of guns and little problems.