No one likes being "punished" because of the actions of a few, but it is a normal part of society and growing up. If you have siblings, you've experienced it from the day you were born. If no siblings, you've experienced it the day you started going to public school. If you're a parent, you've already had to take away the toy the kids are fighting over.
In my family if my brothers or sisters fucked up, they got punished individually, not me. Punishing everyone on massive scales has unintended consequences that can't be foreseen. Example. A wreck in my town resulted in a knee jerk reaction of a new light being constructed. Now the death rate at that intersection has skyrocketed. The fix was far worse than the simple incident of someone texting and pulling into a busy thorough. More deaths resulted from the knee jerk solution to the irresponsible act of an individual. You consider this type of event an acceptable approach? That's how our politicians do it. I presented a question where people would die if they didn't have similar firepower to the amount police need in that scenerio but couldn't be there. Are you are ok with that as part of the "punishment of others"? I stated earlier...identify the problem(s), and then bring forward solutions...not the other way around.
The problem is, certain types of weapons, let's call them "high efficiency" weapons, cause too much destruction when in the hands of a crazy person, and we do not know who all the crazy people are. So, these weapons are not available to the general public.
It seems we are learning a little of the psyche of Ricter. He obviously was not treated fairly as a child being blamed often for the actions of others. I can see how this would warp a young mind into seeking alternate authoritative structures in a search for a fairer society. His misfortune eventually led him to believe communism, where all share equally, would solve his distorted view of the current free world. Unfortunately, his studies were interrupted by a relationship and business offer too good to refuse. He never reached the point of study to understand that communism is a failed governmental model and that his current views of family and government were not formed from a normal experience but rather a warped view. You are welcome, Ricter. No charge today.
Two things: 1) If the US Army comes for ordinary citizens, regardless of why, this country is finished. 2) I'm not sure exactly how the Swiss system works, I have read different things. I know they became more restrictive in the past decade or so, but I'm not sure why as I haven't been able to find any evidence that they've ever had anything even remotely resembling a crime problem. One older article (1990) I skimmed the other day described their system and it seems like they are or were much more lax in certain areas of the law with regards to what they could purchase and their ability to open carry. Also, only certain types of firearms were registered, which included hand guns but not semi-auto rifles. However like Achilles mentioned, the army there, at least at the time this was written, sold full-auto's, howitzers, and even anti-tank/anti-aircraft weaponry to citizens, which required only an 'easily-obtainable' license. the cantons set their own rules but I don't think they're anything like we have here. I would honestly prefer this type of system here because it really puts power in the people's hands and is the ultimate safeguard against govt oppression AND foreign invasion. We could also have a much smaller standing army (less cost). If I can find the article I'll post it, I believe it was written by pro-gun right Americans.
A car is just as deadly in the hands of a crazy person. So is a bic lighter and a can of gas. And so on.... The bottom line...making these unavailable just doesn't fit the liberal wish list.
Then by your own line of reasoning you should be on a hit list, because of your authoritarian tendencies. Good thing I don't buy your premise eh?
1) Is certainly not required for us to be finished, but of course you didn't state that was a requirement .