Switzerland is often cited in discussions about gun violence in the United States, with proponents of gun rights pointing out that the Swiss have relatively high gun ownership but very low rates of homicide and virtually no mass shootings. This comparison is sometimes used to argue that widespread access to firearms does not necessarily lead to high rates of gun-related violence.
However, a recent analysis by Wolfgang Stroebe and his colleagues, published in the journal Aggression and Violent Behavior, challenges this line of reasoning. The researchers argue that Switzerland’s unique gun culture, legal framework, and societal conditions play critical roles in keeping gun violence low, and that these factors are markedly different from those in the United States.
The motivation behind Wolfgang Stroebe and his colleagues’ research review stems from the frequent argument that Switzerland’s low homicide and mass shooting rates, despite high levels of gun ownership, serve as evidence that widespread firearm availability is not a primary driver of gun violence. Given that the U.S. experiences significantly higher rates of homicides and mass shootings, Stroebe and his team sought to investigate why Switzerland appears to be an exception to the rule that more guns lead to more gun violence.
“I have always been puzzled by the fact that people want to own a gun for self-defense, given that gun ownership increases the risk to gun-related suicides and homicides. Thus, rather than protecting them against being killed, guns increase the likelihood of this happening. Are people not aware of this or do they think that it does not apply to them? In both cases, informing people of the dangers of gun ownership is important,” said Stroebe, professor emeritus at the University of Utrecht and a visiting professor at the University of Groningen who is affiliated with the Center for Psychological Gun Research.
Stroebe and his colleagues point out that Switzerland’s gun laws are much more restrictive than those in the U.S., despite its reputation for high gun ownership. In Switzerland, most men are required to serve in the military and may keep their service rifles at home, but the conditions are strict: firearms must be kept unloaded, and ammunition is stored separately.
Civilians who wish to purchase firearms must go through a rigorous process, including obtaining a permit, passing a background check, and proving they have no criminal history or risk factors for violence. Public carrying of firearms requires a separate permit, and even then, the gun must be unloaded unless there is a clear, legitimate need to carry it for work, such as for security personnel.
By contrast, Stroebe points out that U.S. gun laws are far more permissive. Gun ownership is enshrined as a constitutional right, and while background checks are required for some purchases, there are significant loopholes, such as private sales and gun shows, where no background checks are necessary.
Furthermore, many U.S. states allow individuals to carry firearms in public with little or no training, and in some states, no permit is required to carry a concealed weapon. This easy access to guns, combined with lax regulations, increases the likelihood that firearms will be used in violent crimes or accidents.
“Unless you are a hunter, you are safer (and live longer) by not owning a gun,” Stroebe advised. “If you do own a gun anyway, take lessons in gun safety and also lock up your gun safely at home.”
Stroebe and his colleagues also highlight the stark differences in gun culture between Switzerland and the U.S. In Switzerland, firearms are primarily viewed as tools for national defense and sport shooting, not for personal protection. The Swiss have a strong culture of responsibility regarding gun ownership, reinforced by mandatory military service and annual shooting practice in regulated environments like gun clubs. Stroebe notes that hunting and sport shooting are respected traditions in Switzerland, but the idea of using guns for self-defense is rare.
In contrast, the U.S. has developed what Stroebe describes as a “self-defense-centered gun culture.” Many Americans view gun ownership as a necessity for personal protection, a belief rooted in the country’s history of individualism and the perception that citizens must take personal responsibility for their safety.
Stroebe and his colleagues explain that this culture revolves around the idea that guns are essential for defending oneself from potential threats. Guns are marketed and perceived as tools for maintaining personal safety and security, even though research shows that owning a gun actually increases the risk of gun-related deaths, including suicide and accidents, rather than providing protection from crime.
“I think the main differences between the Swiss and the Americans are in the reasons for owning a gun and their attitudes towards guns,” Stroebe told PsyPost. “The Swiss do not own guns for self-defense and they take guns seriously (e.g., it would be totally unthinkable for a Swiss to say that he/she owns an AR-15 type gun because it is fun to shoot). Swiss gun owners own their guns for hunting or target shooting. They undergo gun safety training and they make sure that their guns are stored safely at home (e.g,, out of reach of children. Ammunition is always stored separately.)”
Another important distinction, according to the analysis, lies in the societal conditions of the two countries. Switzerland enjoys relatively stable social and economic conditions, which contribute to its low rates of violence. The country has a high standard of living, low levels of poverty, and minimal income inequality. These factors reduce the kinds of frustrations and economic pressures that can lead to violence.
Moreover, Switzerland is a racially and ethnically homogeneous country, with 95% of the population identifying as white. While there are linguistic and cultural differences within the country, Stroebe and his colleagues note that these divisions are generally well-managed, and Switzerland benefits from a strong sense of national unity.
In contrast, the U.S. experiences much higher levels of economic inequality and social disorganization, both of which are known to correlate with higher rates of violent crime, including gun homicides. Stroebe points out that areas with concentrated poverty and social instability tend to have higher crime rates.
The U.S. also has much greater racial and ethnic diversity, which can sometimes exacerbate social tensions, particularly in communities where economic disparities are more pronounced. Research shows that racial and ethnic heterogeneity, combined with poverty, is associated with higher levels of violent crime. Stroebe argues that in such environments, guns often become tools for asserting power and control.
Stroebe and his colleagues also explore the psychological factors that contribute to the different outcomes in gun violence between Switzerland and the U.S. In the U.S., many gun owners exhibit what researchers call the “dangerous world belief”—the notion that the world is inherently dangerous and that individuals must be prepared to defend themselves against constant threats.
This mindset leads to heightened vigilance and a lower threshold for using guns in response to perceived danger. Stroebe and his colleagues argue that this belief is a key driver of gun ownership in the U.S., particularly for handguns, which are often purchased for self-defense.
In Switzerland, by contrast, the majority of citizens feel safe in their communities and trust law enforcement to protect them. Stroebe and his team suggest that this sense of security reduces the perceived need for firearms as a form of personal protection. The Swiss are more likely to view guns as tools for specific purposes—such as military service, hunting, or sport shooting—rather than as essential for daily safety.
Stroebe and his colleagues conclude that Switzerland’s experience with guns cannot be used as evidence that firearm availability is not a cause of gun violence in the United States. They argue that while widespread gun ownership is a necessary condition for gun violence, it is not sufficient on its own.
While Switzerland’s low homicide and mass shooting rates might suggest that high levels of gun ownership do not necessarily lead to more violence, the context in which guns are owned and used in Switzerland is fundamentally different from that of the United States. In countries like the U.S., where there are lax gun laws, significant social inequalities, and a cultural emphasis on self-defense, the high availability of firearms contributes directly to higher rates of homicide and mass shootings.
According to Stroebe’s team, reducing gun violence in the U.S. will require addressing not only the availability of firearms but also the cultural and societal factors that contribute to the high rates of gun-related deaths. The researchers suggest that stricter gun control measures, such as mandatory background checks for all gun sales and limits on magazine capacity, could help reduce the number of gun deaths. However, they also emphasize the importance of addressing the underlying social issues that drive gun violence, such as poverty and social disorganization.
Stroebe hopes the analysis will help to highlight “the risk people run by owning guns,” particularly in countries like the United States.
The article, “Gun ownership and gun violence: A comparison of the United States and Switzerland,” was authored by Wolfgang Stroebe, N. Pontus Leander, and Arie W. Kruglanski.
