Firearm homicide: the Swiss case

• In Event: Homicide in Europe

Abstract

In Switzerland, firearm homicides account for 30 % of all homicides. More than half of these firearm killings happen between intimate partners, and firearms are thus more often used in intimate partner homicides than in criminal milieu cases. 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 latest data collection of the Swiss Homicide Monitor – a comprehensive database of homicides in Switzerland based on the methodology of the European Homicide Monitor – this presentation will focus on the distribution and development of firearm homicides and examine why the “Swiss paradox” – namely 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

• Martin Killias, University of St. Galen