Keith has a great article about the Swiss and their usage of weapons. I’ll quote his quotes:

Shortly before World War I, the German Kaiser was the guest of the Swiss government to observe military maneuvers. The Kaiser asked a Swiss militiaman: “You are 500,000 and you shoot well, but if we attack with 1,000,000 men what will you do?” The soldier replied: “We will shoot twice and go home.”

Still today, every Swiss male on reaching age 20 years old is required to attend recruit school and issued a Fucile d’assalto 90 (model 1990, 5.6 mm selective fire rifle) to keep at home. Many women also participate in the shooting sports, as do teenagers and elderly persons. Weapons are carried so commonly on public transportation, around towns, and to hotels - especially when a shooting match is about to occur - that foreigners think a revolution is occurring.

Keith goes on to discuss the process he’s going through on his handgun permit application.

I don’t have much to add to his observations - he’s right on the mark. Here is the interview about the armed Swiss.