Swiss Gun Laws

* Re “Taming the Gun Monster,” editorial (Oct. 15) and the letter from Lloyd B. Fisher (Oct. 21):

Being a Swiss citizen myself, I was glad that Fisher thought so highly of my country. Yet, I was also a little perturbed by the inaccuracies in his letter. Let me then try to set the record straight.

Yes, there are guns in many households in Switzerland as a result of my country’s unique military system. Still, that is not the case of every household. A large percentage of households are those of foreigners who obviously are not subject to the duty to serve. In addition, once you reach the retirement age from the military (soon to be 42), you return your uniform and your equipment, including any weapons and ammunition. There are also a number of men who are considered unfit to serve for health reasons (including mental problems) and fulfill their obligation to the country by either paying a military tax or by performing what is known as civil protection service (unarmed). Not to mention citizens with serious criminal records or conscientious objectors, who may elect unarmed military service.

Yes, the citizen-soldier stores at home his military firearm and also ammunition. Yet, every year when he participates in compulsory shooting practice, he must also submit to inspection of his uniform and equipment. Should any bullets be missing or have been fired unaccountably, he would be subject to a serious investigation.

As you can see, saying that “every household has at least one military weapon in the home” is a gross exaggeration. More important, however, than the issue of how many households have guns is the fact that although the country of my birth is certainly not a violent country when compared to the U.S., the figures for death by handguns are still much higher in Switzerland than in other European countries where weapons are not so readily available. In 1990, there were 91 deaths by handguns in Switzerland compared to 22 in Great Britain and 13 in Sweden. Military handguns in Switzerland are also often the cause of death in suicide cases.

I would like to add that in a country where you are required to report any relocation to the “Population Control” department, it would seem very strange that there should be no registration for guns. That certainly doesn’t correspond to my experience, nor do I believe that handguns are commonly carried concealed. What I do know is that a license is required to use and carry handguns.

All this notwithstanding, I have to agree with Fisher’s conclusion that “we must teach (our children) that violence is a solution to nothing,” while adding that controlling access to weapons certainly makes it harder to use them.

PATRICIA G. PAYRO

Studio City