Switzerland has a stunningly high rate of gun ownership -here's why they don't have mass shootings

REUTERS/Thomas Hodel

Members of the Swiss federal army's honor guard in Bern, October 4, 2012.

Switzerland hasn't had a mass shooting since 2001 when a man stormed the local parliament in Zug, killing 14 people and then himself.

In 2016, the country - which has about 2 million privately-owned guns in a nation of 8.3 million people -had just 47 attempted homicides with firearms. The country's overall murder rate, at just 45 people a year, is near zero (0.000005).

The National Rifle Association (NRA) often mentions Switzerland as an example of why more rules on gun ownership aren't necessary. In 2016, the NRA pointed out on their blog that the neutral European country has one of the lowest murder rates in the world, but they still have millions of privately-owned guns, and a few hunting weapons that don't even require a permit.

Yet the Swiss have some very specific rules and regulations around gun use.

We took a look at the neutral country's past with shooting and arms and found out why it's such a safe place.