# Compulsary Gun ownership outside US **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 16, 2007, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsary-gun-ownership-outside-us/396211 "2007-03-16T15:57:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![essell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/34f0e0/32.png) [@essell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/essell)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsary-gun-ownership-outside-us/396211/1 "2007-03-16T15:57:18Z")
I got to poking around the internet, after reading [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=412397) thread, looking for the name of the country that already has compulsary gun ownership, but all I’m finding is hearsay. Is there anyone in Switzerland who can confirm that the people who served their mandatory time in the Military **must** have and maintain their firearms? What happens if you don’t? ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compulsary-gun-ownership-outside-us/396211/2 "2007-03-16T18:22:42Z")
Wikipedia ([Swiss Armed Forces - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Switzerland)) sez: > [@](#): > > Famously, members of the armed forces keep their rifles and uniforms in their homes for immediate mobilisation, as well as 50 rounds of ammunition in a sealed tin, to be used for self defence while traveling to the mobilisation points. Additional ammunition is kept at military bases where the militia are supposed to report. Swiss military doctrines are arranged in ways that make this organisation very effective and rapid. Switzerland claims to be able to mobilise the entire population for warfare within 12 hours. In contrast, it can take several weeks to several months for a militarily-active country such as the United States to mobilise its military force. > > Every year, those still in Reserve have to present themselves with their rifles at a shooting stand, and fire a certain number of rounds, which are issued. And this FAQ ([soc.culture.swiss FAQ](http://www.faqs.org/faqs/swiss/faq/)) says: > [@](#): > > Ammution HAS to be returned when military service is over. The > equipment (also the weapon) can be deposited free of charge in the > Zeughaus/arsenal as long as you do not have any more compulsory > courses OR if you live in a foreign country.