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The Swiss own guns for opposite reasons that Americans do. They own them because they trust their government or if that's too strong of a word, they are conten

The Swiss own guns for opposite reasons that Americans do. They own them because they trust their government or if that's too strong of a word, they are content with their ability to defend Switzerland for the government. Instead of defending themselves from the government. (But that sentiment exists too)

floren 6y ago
And you're saying that because Americans want to defend themselves from the government, that's why Americans kill each other so much? I don't see "Swiss trust their government" as a solid reason for their lower murder rate.
- vmception 6y ago
  It's not the complete story, I'm not going to write a dissertation here. Just was aiming to show one stark contrast to show how broad the gun ownership reasoning can be, outside of American reasons.
- sandworm101 6y ago
  The defense against government makes guns commonplace, availible for use in other types of violence. The link is more practical than ideological.
  - floren 6y ago
    But this is all in the context of Switzerland, where guns are also commonplace and therefore available for use in other types of violence.
    - sandworm101 6y ago
      Swiss guns stay at home as items for use in extrodinary circumstances. US culture sees guns as personal defense items to be carried during daily activities. So, in practice, they are much more availible for use.
Mordisquitos 6y ago
And, to be more specific, gun-ownership culture in Switzerland has nothing to do with the idea of personal self-defence as it does in the USA. Rather, it is related to hunting and target-shooting sports.
- maxerickson 6y ago
  The majority of long guns in the US are pretty likely bought for hunting. There's a pretty loud home defense community, but it isn't that big. And of course most pistols are not purchased for hunting.
sandworm101 6y ago
US gun culture isnt just about defending one's self from the government. It gets darker than that. It is about retaining the ability to aggressively destroy and replace that government. Many gun nuts really do believe in revolution. Luckily they remain a minority, but they are out there.

floren 6y ago

And you're saying that because Americans want to defend themselves from the government, that's why Americans kill each other so much? I don't see "Swiss trust their government" as a solid reason for their lower murder rate.

vmception 6y ago
It's not the complete story, I'm not going to write a dissertation here. Just was aiming to show one stark contrast to show how broad the gun ownership reasoning can be, outside of American reasons.
sandworm101 6y ago
The defense against government makes guns commonplace, availible for use in other types of violence. The link is more practical than ideological.
- floren 6y ago
  But this is all in the context of Switzerland, where guns are also commonplace and therefore available for use in other types of violence.
  - sandworm101 6y ago
    Swiss guns stay at home as items for use in extrodinary circumstances. US culture sees guns as personal defense items to be carried during daily activities. So, in practice, they are much more availible for use.

Mordisquitos 6y ago

And, to be more specific, gun-ownership culture in Switzerland has nothing to do with the idea of personal self-defence as it does in the USA. Rather, it is related to hunting and target-shooting sports.

maxerickson 6y ago
The majority of long guns in the US are pretty likely bought for hunting. There's a pretty loud home defense community, but it isn't that big. And of course most pistols are not purchased for hunting.

sandworm101 6y ago

US gun culture isnt just about defending one's self from the government. It gets darker than that. It is about retaining the ability to aggressively destroy and replace that government. Many gun nuts really do believe in revolution. Luckily they remain a minority, but they are out there.