The Pros And Cons Of Switzerland Gun Control Laws

In the United States there are 10.3 per 100,000 people who die from a gun-related deaths; this number seems somewhat small, but compared to Switzerland, which only has 3 per 100,000 people who die from a gun-related death, this percentage is a lot (Palet). For the most part, Switzerland has not had a problem with gun violence whereas the United States seems to have problems all the time. Therefore, the United States should try and adopt Switzerland’s gun laws. To begin, gun laws like Switzerland’s could keep other countries from starting a war with the United States. In Switzerland they have only had one major conflict involving guns, and that was in 1847. That was with the Catholics and the Protestants, and since then Switzerland has not had any more problems involving guns (Bachmann). The United States has problems with guns all the time. Also, in Switzerland, “[a]ll healthy Swiss men aged between 18 and 34 are obligated to do military service and all are issued with assault rifles or pistols which they are

All legally owned guns are known about, and must have a permit to own. Even if someone gives you a gun you have to have a licence to acquire it. You also legally can’t loan someone a gun without a contract, and the person you’re loaning a gun to must have a permit to handle that type of gun (“Questions and Answers”). The United Stated does not require you to have a permit to borrow someone else’s gun. You also don’t need to have a specific permit to acquire a gun from a friend or family member. To buy a gun in Switzerland you have to first purchase a permit, which they call a ‘Waffenschein’. Before you can get a ‘Waffenschein’ the cantonal authority will give you a background check (“Carry arms”). The government would be checking your mental health, as well as your record. You can not have a criminal record and you must be mentally stable to own a