Firearm Homicides in Switzerland: Does Firearm Availability Matter? - CANCELLED

• In Event: Trends & Patterns in Violent Crime

Abstract

In Switzerland, firearm homicides account for 30 % of all homicides. More than half of these firearm killings happen between intimate partners. Despite a tightening of gun laws in Switzerland in recent years, guns are still widespread in households due to military service and an extensive hunting and shooting tradition. Based on the Swiss Homicide Monitor – a comprehensive database including all intentional homicides in Switzerland from 1990 to 2022 – this presentation will focus on the distribution and development of firearm homicides and examine why the “Swiss paradox” – a high amount of firearm ownership and a low firearm homicide rate – is only partially true.

Authors

• Simone Walser, University of St.Gallen

• Nora Markwalder, University of St.Gallen