Why Switzerland does not suffer mass shootings despite being

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Switzerland has not had a mass shooting since 2001 , when a man stormed parliament, killed 14 people and then turned the gun on himself. The country, of 8.3 million inhabitants, has around 2 million firearms in private ownership.  In 2016, the country had 47 homicides with firearms. The overall murder rate is almost zero. The National Rifle Association in the United States  often points to Switzerland to argue that more rules on gun ownership are not necessary. In 2016, the NRA explained on its blog that the country has one of the lowest homicide rates in the world, while it owns millions of private weapons and several of the hunting ones do not even require a permit to use them. But the Swiss have some specific rules and regulations for the use of weapons.

We at Business Insider have taken a look at the country's past to see why it has lower rates of gun violence than the United States, where gun death rates are now at their highest point in more than 20 years. Switzerland is Middle East Phone Number List  obsessed with teaching how to shoot. Every year, a shooting competition is held for children aged 13 to 17. Shooting competition in Switzerland The Zurich Knabenschiessen is a traditional annual festival dating back to the 17th century. Although the word roughly translates to "boys who shoot" and the competition used to be only for boys, teenage girls have been admitted since 1991. Kids from all over the country go to the competition every September to compete with Swiss Army rifles and are proud to show off how well they shoot.



Accuracy is rewarded and the Shutzenkonig is crowned,  king (or queen) of marksmen. Having an armed citizenry helped keep the Swiss neutral for over 200 years Alpine shepherds in Toggenburg, Switzerland Alpine shepherds in Toggenburg, Switzerland The Swiss position is one of " armed neutrality ." Switzerland has not participated in any international armed conflict since 1815, but some Swiss soldiers assist in peacekeeping missions around the world. Many Swiss view gun ownership as part of their  patriotic duty to protect their homeland. Most Swiss are required to learn how to use a gun.