WHY THE SWISS HAVE THE LOWEST CRIME RATE IN THE WORLD

[stainlessagent]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nf1OgV4 ... e=youtu.be

[Seismic Sam]

Yup. Was in Switzerland for business for 3M in about 2005, and got to talk to a lot of the 3M Swiss employees. One was scheduled to go back to do his yearly service training (either 2 or 4 weeks straight, can't remember), and this is a requirement for ALL Swiss men up until age 40. If you're disabled, they'll find something else for you to do in times of war. 100% universal draft. In addition, as reported by Morley Safer on 60 minutes, all of their massive bridges are still mined with explosives when they are built, and if you blow those, an invading force is pretty much screwed as far as mobility. Went across one long bridge and stopped to look at it, and the height above the valley floor was 200 m. (600 feet!) So the pylons for that bridge were as tall as the IDS building! The valley below was ungodly steep and rocky, but still very scenic.

And this, by the way, is why Hitler never invaded Switzerland, because he knew the cost would be far too high and he would lose a whole army in that country and still not win. Blitzkreig don't mean **** in Switzerland, with the bridges gone and EVERY household having military rifles in them. Also, the Swiss have shooting leagues like America has bowling leagues, as shown in the video. You wanna go out on Friday night? Pack up your hardware, and go shooting at the local club. The Swiss are very kind, polite people, but threaten their national security and you will be in deep ****.

[FJ540]

That's how it should be here...

Somehow we went from "the British are coming" and everyone got ready to fight to "the Mexican cartels have invaded" and the feds are looking the other way leaving the citizens to die.

[OldmanFCSA]

I was in Switzerland in May 2004, absolutely beautiful country.
On weekends I rode the trains around the perimeter of the country, stopping wherever the trains did, missed my train once and spent the night at a swiss home, very nice people.
During the week I was evaluating special built 5-axis bar-fed milling machines with turning capability at the Willemin-Macodel factory.
Great machines, but tempermental at times.
We used them for machining hand, knee, shoulder devices for reconstructive sugery.


However, back to point - it was a bit of a shock to see all the soldiers everywhere carrying their weapons, and I mean everywhere.
But once I totally ubderstood the mentality of it all, it makes great sense for a small country.
The training ranges were everywhere throughout the country with me drooling at seeing the different ranges.
Many ranges shoot over highways to get the distances they need, but very high above the roadbed.

I was able to arrange a late evening shoot at one of the ranges close to the factory. Turns out our sales person's Dad ran the range so it wasn't too difficult to arrange.
(Sales guy knew I was carrying a check in my possesion worth over 2.2 million for the machines if I approved.)
Three of us "Americans" shot, one had no gun experience and was interesting to watch but he did shoot a qualifying score after some practice.
Barry and I had extensive shooting background, but were not used to shooting open sights at 300 meters.
Barry shot a 89 and I shot a 94 out of 100 for scores.
The RangeMaster "Dad" got his special rifle, shooting jacket, eye-piece out of storage to shoot - his kid told me he was pissed that an "American" shot the highest qualifying score for the week, and he could not let that happen, he shot a 95.
(Since then my eyesight has gotten much worse, I could not repeat if given the chance.)

The bridges are true masterpieces - would sincerely hate to see them blown, but understand the need if required to prevent an invading army takeover.

Photo taken thru plexiglass window of moving train with OLD camera.

[antimatter]

I wonder how much of that traditions is left over from the time when the Swiss pikemen were considered the most fearsome army in Europe. And it seems to support another theory of mine; most fear of guns come from those who aren't exposed to them from a young age.

[yuppiejr]

.. it seems to support another theory of mine; most fear of guns come from those who aren't exposed to them from a young age.

Couldn't agree more, ignorance -> fear...

[Lunchbox]

Me thinks I have to rethink where I'd move to if it gets to unbearable to live here.

[shooter]

There is a good reason why the Pope's security is handled by the Swiss Guard.....for more than 500 years.

[Seismic Sam]

Me thinks I have to rethink where I'd move to if it gets to unbearable to live here.

Sorry, but from what I understand it's nearly impossible to emigrate there.

[justaguy]

Me thinks I have to rethink where I'd move to if it gets to unbearable to live here.

Sorry, but from what I understand it's nearly impossible to emigrate there.

That might also play a roll in the title of this thread.

[Pat Cannon]

There's a story that the German Kaiser was the guest of the Swiss government to observe military maneuvers. The Kaiser said to a Swiss officer, "You are 500,000 and you shoot well, but I could bring a million men through that pass. What then?"

The officer replied: "Then each of my men would fire twice, and go home."

[Pat]

There is a good reason why the Pope's security is handled by the Swiss Guard.....for more than 500 years.

And they are not just for show. They all carry Glocks!

[justaguy]

There's a story that the German Kaiser was the guest of the Swiss government to observe military maneuvers. The Kaiser said to a Swiss officer, "You are 500,000 and you shoot well, but I could bring a million men through that pass. What then?"

The officer replied: "Then each of my men would fire twice, and go home."

LOL

[antimatter]

Me thinks I have to rethink where I'd move to if it gets to unbearable to live here.

Sorry, but from what I understand it's nearly impossible to emigrate there.

Expensive, too. The Swiss franc has soared in value since the whole PIGS issue appeared.

[ScatterGun4015]

Me thinks I have to rethink where I'd move to if it gets to unbearable to live here.

Sorry, but from what I understand it's nearly impossible to emigrate there.

My cousin got sick of the american government about 12 years ago and moved there. He is now a citizen. His son will have to serve in the arm. He likes it over there. Still writes for some news papers in the states