Switzerland requires that every male over the age of 20 is
required to own an assault rifle (specifically SIG 550 in
5.56 cal.). In one study by David Kopel of seven countries,
including the United States and Japan, Switzerland is
found to be one of the safest countries in the study. In
recent times political opposition has expressed a desire for
tighter gun regulations. Switzerland practices universal
conscription, which requires that all able-bodied male
citizens keep fully-automatic firearms at home in case of a
call-up. Every male between the ages of 20 and 42 is con-
sidered a candidate for conscription into the military, and
following a brief period of active duty will commonly be en-
rolled in the militia until age or an inability to serve ends his
service obligation. During their enrollment in the armed
forces, these men are required to keep their government-
issued selective fire combat rifles and semi-automatic hand-
guns in their homes. Up until September 2007, soldiers
also received 20 rounds of government-issued ammunition
in a sealed box for storage at home. In addition to these
official weapons, Swiss citizens are allowed to purchase sur-
plus-to-inventory combat rifles, and shooting is a popular
sport in all the Swiss cantons. Ammunition (also MilSpec
surplus) sold at rifle ranges is intended to be expended at
the time of purchase, but target and sporting ammunition
is widely available in gun and sporting goods stores.
As it should be in all countries.
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