The new anti-gun-control meme: The US should be more like Switzerland. [View all]

http://www.salon.com/2015/09/14/the_rights_deeply_misleading_new_gun_control_meme_america_should_be_more_like_switzerland/

The meme:



The truth:

That militia that is mentioned in the 2nd Amendment? Switzerland has exactly that. Switzerland has no standing army, instead every Swiss is conscripted into the military, receives extensive training on how to handle an assault-rifle... and is then sent home with his government-issued assault-rifle as a member of a "well-regulated militia", ready to oppose foreign invaders.

Every single gun in Switzerland is registered with the swiss government. Private gun-ownership is extremely rare and includes an extensive background-check. "Open carry" does not exist.

The biggest difference between the US and Switzerland? How they think about guns:
* In the US, the gun has been mystified as a tool with which the US-citizens are to defend themselves against their tyrannic government.
* In Switzerland, the gun is part of the patriotic duty to defend Switzerland.

“The gun is not given to me to protect me or my family. I have been given this gun by my country to serve my country – and for me it is an honour to take care of it. I think it is a good thing for the state to give this responsibility to people.”



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A while ago I found an article where a british criminologist elaborated on US gun-violence. (I wish I had saved the link.) The takeaway: The problem in the US is not the guns themselves but the gun-culture. US-culture has less social obstacles and mediators that disencourage selfish (e.g.: committing a violent crime) behavior.

I have to agree with his conclusion: To me as a foreigner, it seems as if the US treats it as a basic right to become a celebrity.
"Do you want to be famous? Do you want to be rich? Do you want to get the privileged treatment you know you deserve? Deep down you know that you are the star in this movie that is your life. All the other people are just extras, just empty slates. YOU are someone special. YOU will be a "hero". You are so close to getting what is rightfully yours. Now all you have to do is doing something selfish, stupid and reckless. What are you waiting for? You are special! Now all you have to do is claim it!

Grab your gun and rob that store, because you are special and other people are not.
Deny that gay couple their legal right to marriage, because you are special and they are not.
Walk around with an assault-rifle in public, because you are special and they are not.
You deserve these 15 minutes of fame with your dick-headed publicity stunt, because you are special and they are not."




(Sorry for sounding smug.)