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For some inexplicable reason, I find gun legislation in various countries interesting. The laws of different countries very much are a product of both their ideas of liberty and their history. There is an interesting dichotomy between an individuals ability to obtain a firearm and the way the public perceives them.
Australia-
Basically you need a legitimate reason to own a firearm. Being a member of a shooting club counts as a legitimate reason. They can own pistols, shotguns (non repeating), and bolt action/lever action rifles. Semi automatic rifles are only purchasable by people who cull animals for a living or have some other job requirement that necessitates such a gun.
Canada-
Great gun laws. You take a one day class and get a license for shotguns and rifles. Take another class and get access to pistols and most semi automatic rifles. With a restricted license you can get all of the SBRs and SBSs that you want. Gun shops up there sell G36s directly from HK with a 12 inch barrel (in semi auto format) and IMI tavors over the counter to regular people! The kicker here is that you are limited to 5 round magazines in rifles and 10 rounds magazines in handguns. Also, all guns must be registered with the RCMP.
China-
Banned for all intents and purposes.
Britain-
Holders of a shotgun certificate can buy a shotgun. Must have a safe and pass a large background check and mental evaluation. Getting a firearms certificate is a bit harder, but one may then purchase bolt action/lever action rifles and semi automatic rimfire rifles. Black powder revolvers are legal, but no other handguns are. There is a large group of very serious shooters in the UK, contrary to popular belief.
Germany-
A separate license is required for each firearm one owns. Must be 18 years for rimfire calibers/21 years for higher calibers. Owners must obtain mandatory insurance and a means to securely store the weapon on their premises (a weapons locker). Carry permits are usually only issued to persons with a particular need for carrying a firearm. This includes some private security personnel and persons living under a raised threat-level like celebrities and politicians. Handguns, shotguns, and most rifles are legal (no full auto).
France-
This may surprise you
Yep, that is right. France has the second most firearms per person on the planet! However, in France, to buy a weapon, a hunting licence or a shooting sport licence is necessary. Semi automatic assault weapons and handguns are authorized. With the proper licensing, you can get just about anything. In France, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the abolition of the privileges after the french revolution guarantee the right for all French citizens to possess firearms (sounds a little familiar huh). Perhaps their country being born out of revolution influenced their gun laws.
Czech Republic-
Generally, handguns in the Czech Republic are available to anybody above 21 years of age (18 or 16 years in some cases) with a clean criminal history who passes tests about gun law and weapon knowledge and a medical inspection (which may optionally include psychological test). Gun ownership is also acceptable for self-defense purposes. Unlike most European countries the Czech gun law allow its citizens to carry a concealed weapon without having any specific reason.
Finland-
The holy grail of gun laws IMO. The ownership and use of firearms in Finland is regulated by the country's Firearms Act of 1998. Weapons are individually licensed by local police forces, however there is no limit on the number of licenses an individual may hold. Licenses are granted for recreational uses, exhibition or (under certain circumstances) professional use. Here is the kicker; a registered collector can get ANYTHING THEY WANT. On some boards I get on, a few guys from Finland are registered collectors of Machine Guns. Possession of destructive devices such as automatic weapons, Explosive Ordnance, breech loading cannons, artillery or missile can be granted by the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, which will grant permission for collectors, for motion picture production or exhibition use!
Sweden-
Like Finland. Gun ownership requires license and is regulated by the weapon law (Vapenlagen 1996:67) further regulations are found in in weapon decree (Vapenförordningen 1996:70). The law doesn't ban any specific firearms or weapons, it merely states the requirements to own one. Everything from pepperspray to full-automatic machine guns are technically legal, and license to civilians can be given in 'special' cases. Like the other Nordic countries Sweden has a high rate of gun ownership, due to the popularity of hunting. The weapons law doesn't apply to air guns and similar with a projectile energy less than 10 joules at the end of barrel. These require no license and may be bought by any person over 18 years.
Japan-
The weapons law begins by stating "No-one shall possess a fire-arm or fire-arms or a sword or swords", and very few exceptions are allowed. The only types of firearms which a Japanese citizen may acquire is a rifle or shotgun. Sportsmen are permitted to possess rifles or shotguns for hunting and for skeet and trap shooting, but only after submitting to a lengthy licensing procedure. Without a licence, a Japanese citizen may not even hold a gun in his or her hands.Gun owners must take a class once a year and pass a written test. Police check on the owner once every three months on an unannounced visit. They inspect the gun locker, proper ammunition storage, and the firearm.
Mexico-
Mexico has strict gun laws. Mexican citizens and legal residents may purchase new non-military firearms for self-protection or hunting only after receiving approval of a petition to the Defense Ministry, which performs extensive background checks. The allowed weapons are restricted to relatively low-caliber and can be purchased from the Defense Ministry only. "Military" firearms, including pistols with bores exceeding .38 caliber, and bb guns (but not pellet guns) require federal licenses and are regulated in a manner similar to that dictated by the U.S. National Firearms Act (NFA). The private sale of "non-military" firearms, however, is unregulated, and while these firearms are supposed to be registered with the government, in practice this is widely ignored. Laws dealing with the possession of "non-military" firearms are left to the states. Generally, "non-military" firearms may be kept in the home, but a license is required to carry them outside the home. There is one gun store in Mexico. It is in the capital and run by the government!
Switzerland-
Switzerland practices universal conscription, which requires that all able-bodied male citizens keep fully automatic firearms at home in case of a call-up. Every male between the ages of 20 and 34 is considered a candidate for conscription into the military, and following a brief period of active duty will commonly be enrolled in the militia until age or an inability to serve ends his service obligation. During their enrollment in the armed forces, these men are required to keep their government-issued selective fire combat rifles and semi-automatic handguns in their homes. Up until September 2007, soldiers also received 50 rounds of government-issued ammunition in a sealed box for storage at home. In addition to these official weapons, Swiss citizens are allowed to purchase surplus-to-inventory combat rifles, and shooting is a popular sport in all the Swiss cantons. These facts aside, some Swiss gun laws are more restrictive than those in the US. Unlicensed persons are not permitted to carry weapons except under special certain circumstances such as travel to military training. Owners are legally responsible for third party access and usage of their weapons. Licensure is similar to other Germanic countries. In a referendum in February 2011 voters rejected stricter gun control.
Italy-
Gun usage is restricted to people 18 years old and up. The number of guns in their homes is not restricted (apart from handguns) however, an individual can not buy ammunition unless they have the Fire Arm Collector licence. Citizens may only have 3 common handguns at their homes. There are 3 licenses that allow individuals to carry guns in public: Hunting license; Shooting Sports license and Concealed Carry license.
USA-
We can pretty much get anything we want. We can have as many guns as we want, and 99% of guns require no licensing or approval of any kind. There is no restriction of carrying any kind of firearm on a federal level. Makes you appreciate our laws doesn't it?
Anyways, I hope this was educational. The second amendment is a right that many take for granted and I thought this might be enlightening.
Australia-
Basically you need a legitimate reason to own a firearm. Being a member of a shooting club counts as a legitimate reason. They can own pistols, shotguns (non repeating), and bolt action/lever action rifles. Semi automatic rifles are only purchasable by people who cull animals for a living or have some other job requirement that necessitates such a gun.
Canada-
Great gun laws. You take a one day class and get a license for shotguns and rifles. Take another class and get access to pistols and most semi automatic rifles. With a restricted license you can get all of the SBRs and SBSs that you want. Gun shops up there sell G36s directly from HK with a 12 inch barrel (in semi auto format) and IMI tavors over the counter to regular people! The kicker here is that you are limited to 5 round magazines in rifles and 10 rounds magazines in handguns. Also, all guns must be registered with the RCMP.
China-
Banned for all intents and purposes.
Britain-
Holders of a shotgun certificate can buy a shotgun. Must have a safe and pass a large background check and mental evaluation. Getting a firearms certificate is a bit harder, but one may then purchase bolt action/lever action rifles and semi automatic rimfire rifles. Black powder revolvers are legal, but no other handguns are. There is a large group of very serious shooters in the UK, contrary to popular belief.
Germany-
A separate license is required for each firearm one owns. Must be 18 years for rimfire calibers/21 years for higher calibers. Owners must obtain mandatory insurance and a means to securely store the weapon on their premises (a weapons locker). Carry permits are usually only issued to persons with a particular need for carrying a firearm. This includes some private security personnel and persons living under a raised threat-level like celebrities and politicians. Handguns, shotguns, and most rifles are legal (no full auto).
France-
This may surprise you
Yep, that is right. France has the second most firearms per person on the planet! However, in France, to buy a weapon, a hunting licence or a shooting sport licence is necessary. Semi automatic assault weapons and handguns are authorized. With the proper licensing, you can get just about anything. In France, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the abolition of the privileges after the french revolution guarantee the right for all French citizens to possess firearms (sounds a little familiar huh). Perhaps their country being born out of revolution influenced their gun laws.
Czech Republic-
Generally, handguns in the Czech Republic are available to anybody above 21 years of age (18 or 16 years in some cases) with a clean criminal history who passes tests about gun law and weapon knowledge and a medical inspection (which may optionally include psychological test). Gun ownership is also acceptable for self-defense purposes. Unlike most European countries the Czech gun law allow its citizens to carry a concealed weapon without having any specific reason.
Finland-
The holy grail of gun laws IMO. The ownership and use of firearms in Finland is regulated by the country's Firearms Act of 1998. Weapons are individually licensed by local police forces, however there is no limit on the number of licenses an individual may hold. Licenses are granted for recreational uses, exhibition or (under certain circumstances) professional use. Here is the kicker; a registered collector can get ANYTHING THEY WANT. On some boards I get on, a few guys from Finland are registered collectors of Machine Guns. Possession of destructive devices such as automatic weapons, Explosive Ordnance, breech loading cannons, artillery or missile can be granted by the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, which will grant permission for collectors, for motion picture production or exhibition use!
Sweden-
Like Finland. Gun ownership requires license and is regulated by the weapon law (Vapenlagen 1996:67) further regulations are found in in weapon decree (Vapenförordningen 1996:70). The law doesn't ban any specific firearms or weapons, it merely states the requirements to own one. Everything from pepperspray to full-automatic machine guns are technically legal, and license to civilians can be given in 'special' cases. Like the other Nordic countries Sweden has a high rate of gun ownership, due to the popularity of hunting. The weapons law doesn't apply to air guns and similar with a projectile energy less than 10 joules at the end of barrel. These require no license and may be bought by any person over 18 years.
Japan-
The weapons law begins by stating "No-one shall possess a fire-arm or fire-arms or a sword or swords", and very few exceptions are allowed. The only types of firearms which a Japanese citizen may acquire is a rifle or shotgun. Sportsmen are permitted to possess rifles or shotguns for hunting and for skeet and trap shooting, but only after submitting to a lengthy licensing procedure. Without a licence, a Japanese citizen may not even hold a gun in his or her hands.Gun owners must take a class once a year and pass a written test. Police check on the owner once every three months on an unannounced visit. They inspect the gun locker, proper ammunition storage, and the firearm.
Mexico-
Mexico has strict gun laws. Mexican citizens and legal residents may purchase new non-military firearms for self-protection or hunting only after receiving approval of a petition to the Defense Ministry, which performs extensive background checks. The allowed weapons are restricted to relatively low-caliber and can be purchased from the Defense Ministry only. "Military" firearms, including pistols with bores exceeding .38 caliber, and bb guns (but not pellet guns) require federal licenses and are regulated in a manner similar to that dictated by the U.S. National Firearms Act (NFA). The private sale of "non-military" firearms, however, is unregulated, and while these firearms are supposed to be registered with the government, in practice this is widely ignored. Laws dealing with the possession of "non-military" firearms are left to the states. Generally, "non-military" firearms may be kept in the home, but a license is required to carry them outside the home. There is one gun store in Mexico. It is in the capital and run by the government!
Switzerland-
Switzerland practices universal conscription, which requires that all able-bodied male citizens keep fully automatic firearms at home in case of a call-up. Every male between the ages of 20 and 34 is considered a candidate for conscription into the military, and following a brief period of active duty will commonly be enrolled in the militia until age or an inability to serve ends his service obligation. During their enrollment in the armed forces, these men are required to keep their government-issued selective fire combat rifles and semi-automatic handguns in their homes. Up until September 2007, soldiers also received 50 rounds of government-issued ammunition in a sealed box for storage at home. In addition to these official weapons, Swiss citizens are allowed to purchase surplus-to-inventory combat rifles, and shooting is a popular sport in all the Swiss cantons. These facts aside, some Swiss gun laws are more restrictive than those in the US. Unlicensed persons are not permitted to carry weapons except under special certain circumstances such as travel to military training. Owners are legally responsible for third party access and usage of their weapons. Licensure is similar to other Germanic countries. In a referendum in February 2011 voters rejected stricter gun control.
Italy-
Gun usage is restricted to people 18 years old and up. The number of guns in their homes is not restricted (apart from handguns) however, an individual can not buy ammunition unless they have the Fire Arm Collector licence. Citizens may only have 3 common handguns at their homes. There are 3 licenses that allow individuals to carry guns in public: Hunting license; Shooting Sports license and Concealed Carry license.
USA-
We can pretty much get anything we want. We can have as many guns as we want, and 99% of guns require no licensing or approval of any kind. There is no restriction of carrying any kind of firearm on a federal level. Makes you appreciate our laws doesn't it?
Anyways, I hope this was educational. The second amendment is a right that many take for granted and I thought this might be enlightening.
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