I am a swiss student and I have some question.

[swiss student]

Hello everyone
First forgive my faults in English, it's not my native language. I'm preparing a work to get my degree in Switzerland, the theme of my work is the relationship between guns and americans.
I would have liked to interview you directly but thousands of kilometers separate us so I prefer to do it directly on forums, you will surely find this post on another forum of firearms, in order to collect a maximum of testimony.
Please be the most honest in your answer, my goal is not to judge but to understand, if you want your comment to remain private for different reason, sent it to me at the email address: fabien.tpc@outlook.com

1) Why did you buy a weapon ?

2) Where did you get the passion for weapons ?

3) how would you describe the relationship between guns and americans.

4) Should everyone have the right to buy a weapon in your opinion?

5) Is there a link between the number of weapons in circulation and mass killings, murder ... ?

6) Should we toughen the law on weapons in the USA ?

Thank you in advance for your answers,see you soon,I hope.

[alamo5000]

I'm game. I will respond later on today.

[fledge]

Why do you say “we” in the last question? The Swiss aren’t included in the Bill of Rights nor in changing them.

Smells fishy for a first post.

[FortTom]

Why do you say “we” in the last question? The Swiss aren’t included in the Bill of Rights nor in changing them.

Smells fishy for a first post.

Yeah, I almost bit my tongue when I read that. I wanted to post what the "WE" shit meant. Did he/she have a mouse in his pocket or something?

[alamo5000]

Yeah, I almost bit my tongue when I read that. I wanted to post what the "WE" shit meant. Did he/she have a mouse in his pocket or something?

I chalk it up to language barrier---for now.

[Joelski]

I'll take a shot. []

1) Q: Why did you buy a weapon?

A: As previously stated, I didn't buy a weapon; I have purchased tools that others choose to view as weapons because that's the only context they know to align firearms with. I employ my tools in a number of ways, mainly for recreation and hunting, but also for self-defense against predator animals and predatory humans. With respect to self-defense; being armed and at least moderately well-trained in the use of a firearms gives one peace of mind over being unarmed in a society that now features home invasions, drug abusers, and mass killers. Otherwise, in a Utopian existence, I would love to only think I own my firearms for fun and food.


2) Q: Where did you get the passion for weapons?

A: As a child, we all had some type of firearm; be it a BB gun as younger children (I got a BB rifle when I was 10; quite a bit older than the other kids). As a child, you go from admiring other kids guns to finally getting one of your own. There is adult supervision and mentoring in the shooting sports family and scouting (at least for me, it was that way). From there, it's a .22 cal rifle and more varmint plinking (Shooting). That spark lit a lifelong passion for shooting sports, self-defense training and hunting.

3) Q: How would you describe the relationship between guns and americans?

A: I wouldn't say that guns define me; I like to be quite dialectical and varied in my pursuits. I can only speak for myself. See, that's a problem with others: they like to paint large groups with broad brushes.

4) Q: Should everyone have the right to buy a weapon in your opinion?

A: If a person is of sound mind and has a clean criminal record, they absolutely should. We as a community aren't against known threats having their right to own firearms taken away, we disagree on how that is determined. Some in politics think it's wise to withhold the benefits of veterans unless they surrender their firearms. That is not freedom, nor is intrusive Government.

5) Q: Is there a link between the number of weapons in circulation and mass killings, murder?

A: No. Killers don't tend to be collectors, or have a large number of firearms specialized to competition, hunting, etc. A person with evil intentions only needs one weapon, be it a gun, a knife, a shovel, an axe, etc.

6) Q: Should we toughen the law on weapons in the USA?

A: No, "we" should toughen the penalty for gun-related crime, get tough on gang activity, drugs, theft involving weapons, human trafficking, and all other violent crime, along with taking a more proactive and treatment-based approach to mental health; instead of throwing medication at people, place them in programs that deal with their problems instead of painting over them with the fog of brain poison. Genuinely crazy people should be in institutions; they are currently in a corrections system that doesn't have the ability to address their problems, so they clog our jails and return like clock-work. Re-open the State Mental Facilities that were closed in the 60's and 70's, lock them up, use their welfare and jail money to fund the program and run them through a long term (1-2 years minimum) treatment program and halfway house-supervised/incremental release system that objectively assesses progress rather than just releasing them back into society. That takes care of crazy people and future mass killers and we will realize the benefits immediately, as well as in the long term!

[Jerry R]

Via PM, I have asked an Admin to investigate.

[UWone77]

Via PM, I have asked an Admin to investigate.

His IP checks out to France, just barely over the Swiss border.

[swiss student]

First of all thank you for your answer.
I study in Geneva but I live in France, just on the border with Switzerland, indeed the rents are too expensive in Geneva for a student, but my parents lives in Geneva. When my studies are finished I'll be living in Geneva. I have Swiss nationality so I will have to do the army just after my studies because the army in Switzerland is mandatory for all men, when you finish the army in switzerland you have the right to redeem the assault rifle that you used during your class, like my uncle who has his assault rifle at his house. Switzerland is one of the most heavily armed countries in the world in proportion to its population, despite this Swiss arsenal, killings like the one in Las Vegas are extremely rare, so I would like to understand why there are so many deaths because of weapons in the united states compared to swiss even if the weapon culture in Switzerland, whose vectors are history, tradition, shooting companies and the militia army, is fundamentally different from that of the United States.
Thank you Stone for your answer, I will take the time to analyze all your arguments even if it takes a lot of time because of the language.
One last thing in switzerland we speak, according to the regions: french, german, italian. Most Swiss speak German but in Geneva we speak French so if someone speaks French it does not matter to me he can answer me in French.
Still sorry for my faults in English I do not yet fully master the language.


where I live : https://www.google.fr/search?q=reign..._9tFtdEsURR6M:
my uncle's assault rifle : https://www.google.fr/search?q=fass+...7h0VrrVpNQk7M:

[rxer311]

First of all thank you for your answer.
I study in Geneva but I live in France, just on the border with Switzerland, indeed the rents are too expensive in Geneva for a student, but my parents lives in Geneva. When my studies are finished I'll be living in Geneva. I have Swiss nationality so I will have to do the army just after my studies because the army in Switzerland is mandatory for all men, when you finish the army in switzerland you have the right to redeem the assault rifle that you used during your class, like my uncle who has his assault rifle at his house. Switzerland is one of the most heavily armed countries in the world in proportion to its population, despite this Swiss arsenal, killings like the one in Las Vegas are extremely rare, so I would like to understand why there are so many deaths because of weapons in the united states compared to swiss even if the weapon culture in Switzerland, whose vectors are history, tradition, shooting companies and the militia army, is fundamentally different from that of the United States.
Thank you Stone for your answer, I will take the time to analyze all your arguments even if it takes a lot of time because of the language.
One last thing in switzerland we speak, according to the regions: french, german, italian. Most Swiss speak German but in Geneva we speak French so if someone speaks French it does not matter to me he can answer me in French.
Still sorry for my faults in English I do not yet fully master the language.


where I live : https://www.google.fr/search?q=reign..._9tFtdEsURR6M:
my uncle's assault rifle : https://www.google.fr/search?q=fass+...7h0VrrVpNQk7M:

There is actually a very easy answer to this question but I have to answer it in 2 parts.

1. There are pretty much 3 factions of people in this country when it comes to guns and firearms. There are the gun owners and those that are pro gun and pro 2nd amendment, those that are completely anti gun, and those that are indifferent. The problem in our country is that the anti gun message is amplified buy our media (anti gun) and politicians (the democrat party is extremely anti gun). They are simply louder and make more noise. They have convinced those that are anti gun and those that are indifferent that guns are inherently dangerous and that simply the sight of a gun is bad. Therefore, things like gun safety are no longer taught in the USA in a large and meaningful way. 60 years ago kids were taught proper gun safety in schools. Now they are taught as taboo.

2. In your country they teach every single adult male the proper and safe use of a firearm. That mentality is ingrained into your culture. While firearm ownership in our country is part of our culture via our constitution, there is a very large group of people here that view firearms as taboo. If you don't teach your kids proper gun safety and usage, how would you expect one to react when they come into contact with a loaded weapon?

While the left wing in this country continues to demonize gun ownership and gun owners as "crazy gun nuts" they are actually perpetuating the problem. Proper education is the key, but instead of teaching, they just ignore the actual problem and blame the citizens.

Just another thought to add. You also have to take into account our population and adjust for that. We have over 319 million people in our country. I am not sure of the population of Switzerland, but I am sure that our population dwarfs that of your nation.

Also, mass shootings are not a uniquely American problem. In France, over 100 people were killed at a Concert (private ownership of guns is essentially banned). There was that incident in Norway about a decade back that shot up all those kids (private ownership of guns is highly regulated). Just last year that Ariana Grande concert (somewhere in Europe...can't remember where) was suicide bombed (proving you don't need a gun to murder lots and lots of people).

[alamo5000]

I'm all for giving the benefit of the doubt here. Please guys don't jump to fast and let things work themselves out.

[BoilerUp]

Gruezi! Where do you live in Switzerland?

I wish we had the same access to *true* military grade weapons that the Swiss do. I took these pictures in Interlaken:

[Stone]

Hello everyone
First forgive my faults in English, it's not my native language. I'm preparing a work to get my degree in Switzerland, the theme of my work is the relationship between guns and americans.
I would have liked to interview you directly but thousands of kilometers separate us so I prefer to do it directly on forums, you will surely find this post on another forum of firearms, in order to collect a maximum of testimony.
Please be the most honest in your answer, my goal is not to judge but to understand, if you want your comment to remain private for different reason, sent it to me at the email address: fabien.tpc@outlook.com

1) Why did you buy a weapon ?

2) Where did you get the passion for weapons ?

3) how would you describe the relationship between guns and americans.

4) Should everyone have the right to buy a weapon in your opinion?

5) Is there a link between the number of weapons in circulation and mass killings, murder ... ?

6) Should we toughen the law on weapons in the USA ?

Thank you in advance for your answers,see you soon,I hope.

For starters, you need to throw away everything you have heard on the “news” about American’s, firearms and mass shootings in the garbage can, Because you have been lied to, indoctrinated and fed lies about what is really going on in our country concerning the truth about firearm ownership, our Constitution, our way of life and mass shootings.

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
The rights and duty’s to protect ourselves, families, neighbors falls on each and every citizen. It’s not the job of police officers to protect society in general. They cannot be everywhere at all times. It’s not the government’s job to protect our citizens, it’s our job to protect EACHOTHER and have the ability to protect ourselves with whatever means possible to stop someone from harming us.

Our forefathers knew this and this is why we have the 2nd amendment:
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
In a constitutional republic, people take care of each other. In a democratic society they put their responsibility to take care of each other on law enforcement and the government. Frankly I see this as parasitic and irresponsible which ends up leading to a victim mentality which is pretty much what we are seeing in society these days.

1) Why did you buy a weapon?
Because it is MY duty to protect myself, my family and my neighbors who may need assistance in a bad situation.

2) Where did you get the passion for weapons ?
It’s not about emotions (passion) is an emotion. A firearm is a tool, it goes in the tool box. When and if I need it I reach into the toolbox and grab which tool I need. No different than a hammer or screwdriver. A firearm is an inanimate object that is all it is.

3) How would you describe the relationship between guns and American’s?
Again, it’s just a tool. The mainstream media has an agenda to promote people as gun fanatics with a Wild West mentality. People enjoy shooting firearms, building firearms, hunting and working with them. It’s part of our culture.

4) Should everyone have the right to buy a weapon in your opinion?
No. There has to be exclusions so that we can: “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves.”
The exclusions are: Convicted felons, age limit and those who are seriously mentally unstable.

5) Is there a link between the number of weapons in circulation and mass killings, murder... ?
NO. Again, it is just an inanimate object, it is a tool. Is there a link between how many hammers are in circulation and the amount of people that are killed with hammers? Which I believe was a greater number of deaths by a hammer and hands and feet than it was by rifles (the same rifles that some want to ban)
https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s...ta-table-4.xls
The real reason behind the mass shootings/suicides is the correlation of the mass shooters who are on prescription drugs/psychotropic drugs.

Here is a sample:
• Eric Harris age 17 (first on Zoloft then Luvox) and Dylan Klebold aged 18 (Columbine school shooting in Littleton, Colorado), killed 12 students and 1 teacher, and wounded 23 others, before killing themselves. Klebold's medical records have never been made available to the public.

• Jeff Weise, age 16, had been prescribed 60 mg/day of Prozac (three times the average starting dose for adults!) when he shot his grandfather, his grandfather's girlfriend and many fellow students at Red Lake, Minnesota. He then shot himself. 10 dead, 12 wounded.

• Cory Baadsgaard, age 16, Wahluke (Washington state) High School, was on Paxil (which caused him to have hallucinations) when he took a rifle to his high school and held 23 classmates hostage. He has no memory of the event.

• Chris Fetters, age 13, killed his favorite aunt while taking Prozac.

• Christopher Pittman, age 12, murdered both his grandparents while taking Zoloft.

• Mathew Miller, age 13, hung himself in his bedroom closet after taking Zoloft for 6 days.

• Kip Kinkel, age 15, (on Prozac and Ritalin) shot his parents while they slept then went to school and opened fire killing 2 classmates and injuring 22 shortly after beginning Prozac treatment.

• Luke Woodham, age 16 (Prozac) killed his mother and then killed two students, wounding six others.

• A boy in Pocatello, ID (Zoloft) in 1998 had a Zoloft-induced seizure that caused an armed stand off at his school.

• Michael Carneal (Ritalin), age 14, opened fire on students at a high school prayer meeting in West Paducah, Kentucky. Three teenagers were killed, five others were wounded..

• A young man in Huntsville, Alabama (Ritalin) went psychotic chopping up his parents with an ax and also killing one sibling and almost murdering another.

• Andrew Golden, age 11, (Ritalin) and Mitchell Johnson, aged 14, (Ritalin) shot 15 people, killing four students, one teacher, and wounding 10 others.

• TJ Solomon, age 15, (Ritalin) high school student in Conyers, Georgia opened fire on and wounded six of his class mates.

• Rod Mathews, age 14, (Ritalin) beat a classmate to death with a bat.

• James Wilson, age 19, (various psychiatric drugs) from Breenwood, South Carolina, took a .22 caliber revolver into an elementary school killing two young girls, and wounding seven other children and two teachers.

• Elizabeth Bush, age 13, (Paxil) was responsible for a school shooting in Pennsylvania

• Jason Hoffman (Effexor and Celexa) – school shooting in El Cajon, California

• Jarred Viktor, age 15, (Paxil), after five days on Paxil he stabbed his grandmother 61 times.

• Chris Shanahan, age 15 (Paxil) in Rigby, ID who out of the blue killed a woman.

• Jeff Franklin (Prozac and Ritalin), Huntsville, AL, killed his parents as they came home from work using a sledge hammer, hatchet, butcher knife and mechanic's file, then attacked his younger brothers and sister.

• Neal Furrow (Prozac) in LA Jewish school shooting reported to have been court-ordered to be on Prozac along with several other medications.

• Kevin Rider, age 14, was withdrawing from Prozac when he died from a gunshot wound to his head. Initially it was ruled a suicide, but two years later, the investigation into his death was opened as a possible homicide. The prime suspect, also age 14, had been taking Zoloft and other SSRI antidepressants.

• Alex Kim, age 13, hung himself shortly after his Lexapro prescription had been doubled.


• Diane Routhier was prescribed Welbutrin for gallstone problems. Six days later, after suffering many adverse effects of the drug, she shot herself.

• Billy Willkomm, an accomplished wrestler and a University of Florida student, was prescribed Prozac at the age of 17. His family found him dead of suicide – hanging from a tall ladder at the family's Gulf Shore Boulevard home in July 2002.

• Kara Jaye Anne Fuller-Otter, age 12, was on Paxil when she hung herself from a hook in her closet. Kara's parents said ".... the damn doctor wouldn't take her off it and I asked him to when we went in on the second visit. I told him I thought she was having some sort of reaction to Paxil...")

• Gareth Christian, Vancouver, age 18, was on Paxil when he committed suicide in 2002, (Gareth's father could not accept his son's death and killed himself.)

• Julie Woodward, age 17, was on Zoloft when she hung herself in her family's detached garage.

• Matthew Miller was 13 when he saw a psychiatrist because he was having difficulty at school. The psychiatrist gave him samples of Zoloft. Seven days later his mother found him dead, hanging by a belt from a laundry hook in his closet.

• Kurt Danysh, age 18, and on Prozac, killed his father with a shotgun. He is now behind prison bars, and writes letters, trying to warn the world that SSRI drugs can kill.

• Woody __, age 37, committed suicide while in his 5th week of taking Zoloft. Shortly before his death his physician suggested doubling the dose of the drug. He had seen his physician only for insomnia. He had never been depressed, nor did he have any history of any mental illness symptoms.

• A boy from Houston, age 10, shot and killed his father after his Prozac dosage was increased.

• Hammad Memon, age 15, shot and killed a fellow middle school student. He had been diagnosed with ADHD and depression and was taking Zoloft and "other drugs for the conditions."

• Matti Saari, a 22-year-old culinary student, shot and killed 9 students and a teacher, and wounded another student, before killing himself. Saari was taking an SSRI and a benzodiazapine.

• Steven Kazmierczak, age 27, shot and killed five people and wounded 21 others before killing himself in a Northern Illinois University auditorium. According to his girlfriend, he had recently been taking Prozac, Xanax and Ambien. Toxicology results showed that he still had trace amounts of Xanax in his system.

• Finnish gunman Pekka-Eric Auvinen, age 18, had been taking antidepressants before he killed eight people and wounded a dozen more at Jokela High School – then he committed suicide.

• Asa Coon from Cleveland, age 14, shot and wounded four before taking his own life. Court records show Coon was on Trazodone.

• Jon Romano, age 16, on medication for depression, fired a shotgun at a teacher in his New York high school.

Firearms DO NOT KILL PEOPLE, PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. After reading that list the method they chose becomes irrelevant.

6) Should we toughen the law on weapons in the USA ?
No. There are hundreds of firearm laws on the books already. Criminals DO NOT OBEY THE LAW. Laws do not stop crime. Laws only come into effect when a criminal is apprehended. Think about that.

Murder is a morality problem, a sin problem. YOU CANNOT LEGISLATE MORALITY.

[Stone]

This one is a real eye opener:

[Stone]