jrc@ritcv.UUCP (James R Carbin) (09/29/83)
A few weeks ago, the question was asked, "How do the Swiss manage the
storage of army weapons at home?" I have a student who was born and raised
in Switzerland, and last year applied for Swiss citizenship (which should
be forthcoming shortly.) I asked him how the system works and the following
is his description.
If I were in the Swiss Army, I would have a SIG gun at home. It is a
heavy sub-machine gun type weapon. It has the capability to fire either single
or multiple rounds. Each soldier receives a sealed set of ammunition which is
considered sufficient to last until the soldier can be issued additional
ammunition in the event of mobilization. Annually the Swiss Army checks each
soldier's ammunition to see if it has been used. With some exceptions, officers
are issued pistols rather than heavier weapons.
The above scenario may be for many people in the U.S.A. too dangerous in
terms of safety and misuse, but in reality, in Switzerland it has shown to be
very safe as only once or twice a year are these personal weapons misused.
So there you have it from a Swiss citizen (almost.) I am neither recom-
mending nor not recommending such a system for the U.S. but the question was
raised and here is the answer.
as ever,
j.r.
P.S. This student will serve in the Swiss Army after he returns from com-
pleting his studies for his B.S. degree.