On the subject of Switzerland, a recent BBC article noted a rise in domestic violence ending in murder (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4755143.stm).

I don't claim that either the BBC's article or TedPride's message accurately reflects the situation in Switzerland. I don't have enough information to make a case either way, I just remembered the article after reading this post and thought the opposite view should also be reflected.

My personal views are mixed. I grew up in an area with a lot of guns, which were used for hunting. I now live in a place where guns are very restricted, and mostly limited to sporting clubs. I'm inclined to think that there isn't a universal best way, but that it instead depends a lot on the place and the people in it.