Rare shooting highlights Switzerland’s relationship with guns: High ownership, low violence

On August 30, a shooting occurred at an annual electronic music festival in Aarau, Northern Switzerland, resulting in the death of a 22-year-old Italian woman, Maria Spinelli, and injuries to five others. The victims were in their 20s and the event took place at Schachen horse racing track in Aarau. The shooter remains unidentified and investigations are ongoing.

This incident is surprising to the nation, given Switzerland's reputation for low rates of gun violence and high civilian gun ownership. According to the Small Arms Survey, there are approximately 2.33 million civilian-held firearms in circulation among a population of 8.4 million, which equates to a rate of 27.6 guns per 100 residents.

This level of ownership is linked to Switzerland's citizen-militia and reserve military service framework, where able-bodied citizens undergo mandatory conscription and retain service weapons at home. While gun culture in Switzerland is primarily tied to national defense and target sports, it is strictly regulated, with public carrying prohibited and a permit process requiring extensive criminal background checks.

Switzerland also banned pocket ammunition in 2007 and passed a referendum in 2019 to tighten gun laws. The Aarau shooting is being investigated as potentially related to terrorism, mass shootings, or criminal feuds, with the use of heavy weaponry and multiple firing locations suggesting organized criminal violence. The investigation involves multiple law enforcement agencies and specialized units, with the Swiss army's Super Puma helicopters assisting in the search.