Usually, hearing the jarring report of rifle fire is alarming — except when it resounds in Zurich on the second weekend of September.

That’s when the annual Knabenschiessen event is held and local residents know the gunfire emanates from a bunch of teenagers doing what comes naturally to nearly every Swiss, young or old: sharpshooting.

Each year at this time, the 12- to 16-year-olds gather for Switzerland’s (and possibly the world’s too) largest youth rifle competition, held at the  Albisgütli shooting range.

we are ready!
Freitag, 6. September 2024 – Montag, 9. September 2024

«Knabenschiessen» – eine Zürcher Tradition. Das «#Knabenschiessen»-Wochenende ist eines der grössten #Zürcher #Volksfeste.
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— Ralph -Zurich- (@ZurichRalph) September 2, 2024

Translated literally, Knabenschiessen means ‘shooting boys’ in English but, to everyone’s relief, the festival does not entail shooting any boys — or anyone else, for that matter — but only designated targets.

It is, by Swiss standards, a wholesome activity.

A 17th-century tradition

This event was first mentioned in a document in 1656, when around 150 boys took part in a shooting competition known as Knaben Schiesset (‘Boys Shooting Set’).

In its present form, however, Knabenschiessen exists since 1899, when it was first organised (as it continues to be to this day) by the City of Zurich Rifle Association.

A milestone happened in 1991, when Switzerland celebrated its 700th anniversary: that year, girls have also been allowed to participate in this competition. 

Swiss ‘royalty’

Each year, a ‘king’ or ‘queen’ is crowned at the event — the teenager who is the best ‘shot’ and scores the most points.

You can see the winners of past competitions here. 

Switzerland’s gun culture

While in most other countries seeing young people with firearms would be a cause for alarm, this is not the case in Switzerland.

The Swiss learn to shoot from an early age, and develop a deep sense of responsibility toward their firearms.

This may sound like a paradox in a neutral and peace-loving country, but it is nevertheless true.

There are plenty of gun clubs throughout the country where people of all ages — including children as young as five — can hone their sharpshooting skills. These clubs are grouped under the umbrella organisation, the Swiss Target Shooting Federation. 

This may sound shocking to some but in fact, firing guns in Switzerland — whether by soldiers or civilians — is all about safety.

This US video is a humorous but nevertheless factual take on Switzerland’s gun culture.

READ ALSO: Why you might hear gunfire in your Swiss neighbourhood