THE Swiss Model

Switzerland is a country of 8,000,000 people.  The Swiss people are surrounded by Germany, France, Italy and Austria.  Think about the history of these governments.  Think about how many major violent conflicts they have been involved in.

But when was the last time Switzerland was involved in an armed conflict?

1847.

Why didn't the National Socialist led German government invade them during World War II?  Probably because Hitler was afraid that widespread gun ownership by the Swiss people would cause the defeat of his army.  It is estimated that there 4 million firearms in the homes of the Swiss people.  Any authoritarian regime is frightened by this notion of a well regulated militia.  

OK, so these guns provide the Swiss people with a strong self-defense system but do they cause high murder rates?




No.

According to TIME:

Switzerland trails behind only the U.S, Yemen and Serbia in the number of guns per capita... 

government figures show 0.5 gun homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2010. The U.S rate in the same year was about 5 firearm killings per 100,000 people, according to the U.N. 

Finally do the Swiss people have to deal with state agents that intrude in their every market activity to ensure their safety?

No.

The country does a pretty good job at enforcing property rights and encouraging free trade.  Overall, Switzerland is the 5th most economically free country in the world according to The Heritage Foundation.  

Peace, freedom and guns (just in case).  THE Swiss Model.