The survey gathered data on guns owned by private households in 14 countries: United States, Canada, Australia, France, West Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Finland, and Spain. Switzerland was found to have a low homicide rate and a high suicide rate, together with widespread ownership of the military equipment needed for the country's militia. However, Switzerland has five times as many homicides committed with guns as Great Britain versus only a slightly higher non-gun homicide rate. In addition, automatic weapons can be purchased in Switzerland only under extremely restrictive conditions. Furthermore, the military weapons that are kept in Swiss households are of little use to ordinary criminals, because they are heavy and far too long to be concealed under a coat or in a case. The results indicate a substantial impact of firearms on homicide and suicide. 10 references