This is Henry R. Greenfield's first dispatch from Switzerland—part of a field series exploring how communities create safety, especially in countries where nearly half of households keep a firearm at home.
Landing in Zurich, Greenfield unpacks Switzerland’s quiet paradox: high gun ownership, low homicide rates, and a civic culture built on shared responsibility rather than hollow slogans. Here, firearms are integrated into daily life through mandatory military service, an active network of gun clubs, and meticulous safe practices. Discipline, competence, and mutual expectations shape a society where safety isn’t just a rule—it’s a habit look at why Switzerland remains one of the safest countries in the world despite widespread gun ownership, and why social cohesion matters more than wealth or laws alone. From mandatory service to local voting and controlled immigration, Greenfield discusses how trust and civic duty shape safety.
• high gun ownership paired with low homicide rates
• mandatory service and normalized firearm competence
• social admonishment as everyday enforcement
• local democracy with frequent, simple paper voting
• Europe’s safety rankings and Swiss exceptionalism
• contrasts with the United States’ polarization
• immigration as controlled, contribution-focused policy
• technology and industry beyond finance and watches
Stay connected with Henry R. Greenfield for more in depth discussions and expert solutions as he reports from Switzerland.
