Australia
Ownership is strictly prohibited unless there are “genuine reasons” such as licensed sport, animal control or employment requirements.
Brazil
If you are over 25 and have registered a weapon, you are free to keep it indoors. The country has the second-highest gun-related death rate after the US.
Canada
Significantly stricter than the neighboring US. To acquire a license, applicants must undertake a safety course, pass a criminal records check and be certified by a firearms officer.
China
Civilians are not allowed guns, except for hunting and protection from wildlife. The illegal sale of arms can be punished by death sentence.
India
Gun ownership is a “privilege” under the Arms Act of 1959, allowing civilians to have a license if they can prove that there is a “threat to life.”
Czech Republic
Liberal laws compared with the rest of Europe. Applicants must pass a questionnaire on firearms, have no criminal record and show ID proving they are over 21.
Austria
Also liberal. Guns are classified by four categories — the lowest, for non-repeating shotguns, requires no registration for over-18s.
Germany
The Federal Weapons Act (1972) restricts everything apart from replica guns to over-18s, who must pass checks for “trustworthiness, knowledge and adequacy.”
Italy
Citizens can have up to three “common” handguns in their home, but if they want to hunt or carry a concealed weapon they must apply for a license.
Japan
Licensing requirements are considered a formality — there is little enforcement of the strict laws. However, gun deaths are among the lowest in the world.
Mexico
Strict laws apply for ownership, including criminal records checks. However, there are growing concerns that smuggling from the US is undermining these regulations.
Norway
Since 1989, no registration has been required for buying a shotgun over the counter. There are an estimated 500,000 unregistered guns in homes. However, gun crime is very low.
Russia
Handguns and fully automatic weapons are prohibited, but over-18s with no criminal record can apply for a license for shotguns and air rifles. Self-defense is not an excuse for carrying firearms outside the home.
Switzerland
All able-bodied men between 20 and 34 are required to have fully automatic firearms in their homes in case of a call-up to the army under the doctrine of “universal conscription.” Others may own weapons for hunting but need a license. Gun crime is so low that statistics are not kept.
UK
Anyone convicted of a criminal offense cannot handle, possess or shoot a gun. A license is needed for any firearm except low-powered air rifles and pistols. Self-defense is not a valid reason for ownership. The country has one of the world’s lowest gun crime rates.
US
Fully automatic firearms are legal in most states. However, you need a criminal records check and must pay US$200 registration tax. In 2004, there were 29,569 gun-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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