A Proposed Solution of the Gun Control Problem

By Dr. John E. Russell

The Helvetic Confederation may hold the ideal solution for gun control here in America. In 1515, this nation, now commonly called Switzerland, was defeated militarily after an attempt for expansion. Switzerland then renounced the policy of armed aggression, and adopted a policy of armed neutrality. It has had no war for 490 years! It now serves the nations of the world as a neutral and safe place for peace talks.

However, the reason that other nations have not tried to take her is not so much found in the goodness of their hearts. Switzerland has a very effective deterrent. It does not have an army—it is an army! It has a standing army of only 2,000 full-time soldiers. However, every able-bodied man, 20-50 years of age, serves in the Army Reserve, and must serve three weeks per year on active duty. Excellent defense plans and a well-trained and well-armed reserve operate as an effective deterrent. Invading armies would pay a high price to take it.

Men, ages 20-60, who do not qualify for military service, along with women volunteers, serve in the civil defense system. The civil defense people maintain public shelters that would insure a high survival rate in case of a nuclear attack. The civil defense force also educates the public for survival.

"It's all over if we have an atomic attack," appears to be the assumption in the US. The truth is that we could survive well, if we had a system like the Swiss! Our government has let us down in this area. [Read Ronald L. Cruit and Robert L. Cruit, MD, Survive the Coming Nuclear War: How to Do It (New York: Stein and Day, 1984)].

Let's refer back to Switzerland's universal military draft. Since the men of Switzerland are screened and trained, the weapons are in the right hands. The few who are incompetent to handle weapons are identified and known locally.

Why couldn't we do the same thing? Universal male military draft would help us in at least ten ways:

1. The nation would be more secure.
2. Our troops would be better trained in case of armed conflict. It would be immoral to send our sons into combat with inadequate training. This has happened in WWII and in Iraq. It would probably happen if we were to have a national emergency now.
3. It would insure against takeover by radical people. (Hitler first had all guns registered, and then simply picked them up and seized control of Germany). Each man would keep his own weapon secured. He must keep his weapon with himself or locked up at home.
4. Nearly all sociopaths and the mentally ill would be identified. These people would not be allowed access to weapons. The gun control problem would be largely resolved!
5. It would be cost effective. The savings in money could be applied to the national debt and to the production of goods and services. (The Swiss have a very strong economy. Whereas the American dollar has continually lost value through inflation and foreign exchange loss, the Swiss Franc has gained.)
6. Our large full-time military could be cut further, as reserve strength increased. Most of the reserve should be combat arms in the National Guard. Since the National Guard is under the control of state governors, this would scatter power and reduce the possibility of power abuse.
7. A strong deterrent would help maintain world peace.
8. More of the national energy would be directed in raising the quality of life of its citizens.
9. Civilian-military conflict in the United States would end, since the entire male population would be citizen-soldiers. We already have the infrastructure in place.
10. The mercenary problem would be solved—there would be no need for aliens serving in our military.

These ideas have been tested and proven by the Swiss. The Swiss have already "worked out the bugs" for us. I believe that this program would work well for us. Are we too stupid or arrogant to learn from the successful programs of other nations?

Sources

Special thanks to The Honorable Edouard Brunner, Embassy of Switzerland, 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20008, for help in research.

Cruit, Ronald L., and Cruit, Robert L., MD. Surviving the Coming Nuclear War: How to Do It. New York: Stein and Day, Publishers, 1984.

Jones, Michael Arthur. Swiss Bank Accounts. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Liberty House (Tab Books), 1990.

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