Asklemmy

Australia here - our change to gun control was well covered by John Oliver some years back but, in short, we had a mass shooting in 1996 (Port Arthur) that resulted in 35 deaths and 23 wounded, that changed Australia's mindset forever.

Our Prime Minster at the time worked with all states and territories to enact stricter laws on licensing and obtaining firearms. Yes, we've had crimes classed as mass shootings (4+ casualties) since, but nothing on the scale of Port Arthur - primarily because the change in laws reclassified semi-automatic weapons, and made them harder to obtain.

Before then, I'd shot guns with my dad - we'd enjoyed target shooting as a moderate hobby. But, aside from that, we had no other good reason to keep firearms, and my dad handed them in during the buyback scheme. We played our part in over a million weapons being handed back and destroyed, and I have no regrets. I'm now raising my child in a society where gun violence is considered rare, and I'm happy with that.

German here, I'm pretty sure I've never seen a gun irl, except when used by the police or military. They are just not really a thing here. Nobody I've ever met owns one, nobody wants or needs one, nobody even talks about them.

There are legal ways to get a gun, but I never had to care about the details. That's pretty amazing imo, if you consider how big of a topic and problem they are in the US.

I'm from Australia, and we have strict gun controls. US gun culture is a complete and utter mystery to me. I have no desire to live like that...

Czech Republic here. I know there's a license involved but other than that I have no clue how it works. Why should I know anything about gun regulations? It's such a niche and unimportant thing...

Vietnam. I've never seen someone with a gun that wasn't army, police, or at an Olympic event. Civilians can only own shotguns, and even then under a lot of restrictions. It's quite uncommon but I've heard of companies with rubber plantations out in the middle of nowhere having one gun on site. I've only heard of it being used to kill the odd wild boar that accidentally wanders into the office building.

There are some illegal guns from time to time, but not that many. It's something I've only seen on the news.

The current situation suits me just fine -- at our population density, I'm not comfortable with gun ownership being widespread. When you put enough people in a small space, there's always someone angry nearby, always someone celebrating, being born, dying. With everything happening everywhere all at once, adding guns to the mix would not be great, I think.

Also as one of very few immigrants to Vietnam, I am already seen as a target for thieves. People imagine I must be magically very wealthy or something -- I'm not. I came here with nothing and built a company, to progress to maybe middle-class. I live in the slums quietly like a normal person.

I would be OK with the police or army running shooting ranges where you could rent a gun to practice target shooting. Maybe that already exists, for all I know. I haven't really checked. There are archery ranges though, this is good enough for me :D

On the other hand -- more or less all citizens are trained to service an assault rifle. The means disassembly, cleaning, maintenance. My wife was fastest in her university class. We just don't own guns.

Norway - Similar to many European countries, owning a gun requires a certifiable reason to do so, which basically means hunting or target shooting. Loads of guns here, as there's a lot of moose and deer. Obtaining and owning a hunting rifle requires skill tests and a theoretical exam, and you need to be part of a hunting group.

ARs are banned for obvious reasons. The only exception is for people who are army reservists who are (were?) allowed to store their service weapon at home, if they have proper secure storage options available. This may have changed since I was a reservist myself, but those were the rules in 2007 at least.

Pistols are legal for target shooting, but with strict background checks and so forth. Plus you have to be part of a target shooting club. Getting a pistol is generally harder than a rifle, as a means of preventing pistols from ending up on the streets. Gun voilence happens, but it is extremely rare, and mostly tied to gangs and/or organized crime. Except from this asshole in 2011.

Carrying permit for guns is pretty much none existent. To/from hunting or shooting range.

Self defense is not a valid reason for obtaining and carrying a gun. You don't really need it either. The only exception is Svalbard where is is possible due to polar bears. And even then, you can't be an idiot about it; a few years ago this dumbass got permanently banned from the Svalbard territory after intentionally provoking a polar bear, then shooting it, claiming self defense.

Belgium.

The only guns I have ever seen in my entire life were from a friend's dad when I was little, who was a park ranger and needed them to keep animal populations in check.

Never saw an other gun, ever.

If you don't live in a shithole country, you don't need guns in order to feel safe.

In Canada you can buy hunting rifles at some Canadian Tires (think Target). You must get a PAL license and do some in-person firearms safety and training, store the rifle in a locked and certified gun locker, and can only carry it around to the range and for hunting.

It’s fairly strict on who gets a PAL (I can’t get one ever in my life because I was hospitalized for major depressive disorder when I was 18 and am 30 now).

Most people don’t care about guns here. They’re good for moose hunting and little air rifles are fun to shoot when one goes up to a cottage or something. There’s a small minority here that is very passionate about gun laws, but that same group also is usually very keen on the first and second amendment and often need to be reminded that those are American laws, not Canadian.

Switzerland.

The rifle given to active members of the armed forces (militia system means this is most men basically) can either be kept at home or stored in an army facility until needed for service. It must be stored disassembled, locked, out of reach, and without ammunition. (Ammunition isn't given anyways.) It may not be used for anything outside of armed forces' service.

Private firearms can be bought after obtaining a permit with a background check. It can only be used on firing ranges which are almost always run by an association (syndicate? not sure about the translation, basically a shooting for fun and sports club) which provides some level of social control (no shooting alone whenever you feel like it). The firearm can only be transported from or to the firing range and otherwise not be carried. When transported it should be in a locked box in the boot of the car, not in the owners trousers or something crazy like that. Ammunition is typically provided by the organisation so no need to own any (but firearm owners can buy it.) For carrying it in general a much more difficult to get permit is needed. Conceal carry doesn't exist afaik.

Guns are licensed strictly for hunting only and our kids come home from school without being shot.

New Zealand

• only ever had ONE school shooting in history and it was 100 years ago

• average level of gun ownership by OECD standards

• owning guns requires a firearms licence, licence system administered by Police, who visit your house

• guns not allowed for self defence/use on people

• guns can only be transported to place of use, sale, or repair and must be secured

• restrictions on semiautomatic weapons

• police only use guns if dermed necessary

India. Very strict gun laws. This law is enforced in the part of India that I live in. The only gunshots that I've heard in my life are from movies and video games. However, I did hold a gun in my hand once hehe. One of my friends' dads had a gun license for some reason (I think he was a top level policeman or something). It was an unloaded black revolver that he was showing off to us kids lol. I remember being surprised at how much heavier it was than I thought it to be.

HOWEVER, in northern India (especially Uttar Pradesh), illegal guns are a very real thing. The law is very poorly enforced there. So yeah.... There's that.

In my country its not allowed for civilians to murder people with guns, even if they come to your house or look like another ethnicity. Cops still do it sometimes tho, but they usually use cars/boots

Croatia

You can get a hunting licence and buy a gun/rifle/shotgun. It takes a test, and i think you cant have violent crimes. You also need a gun "safe" (basically a shitty locker like in US highschool movies), and the cops can come whenever they want to inspect it (usually regular, i forget if once per yearor 6 months or something).

That said theres still guns from the war. One grampa died and the cops found a bunch of rifles and granades in the attic, and a minefield infront of his house. Everybody knew about it, but knew he was a harmless nut.

Switzerland: Lot of guns here, but there are background checks and every gun is accounted for as you have to send a copy of the receipt to the government. There are also other laws surrounding the whole topic like how to properly store them, how to transport guns etc.

But there are a lot of guns and basically no incidents. However the overall respect toward guns as well as strong social security probably go a long way.

Side note: I only ever once shot a gun. Went to a shooting range (friend of mine had to go there anyway for mandatory military shooting exercises), they had a range to shoot handguns. Applied, got one, did my 10 rounds and left. But there was strong supervision, one wrong move and they would take the gun away.

I'm in the UK it's nearly impossible to get a fire arm so many back ground checks and when you do it's only shotguns

Where I live (Slovakia) you need a license to own firearms. Getting that license is a lengthy and rigid procedure and needs to be repeated every 5 years. Fully automatic rifles are forbidden for civilians. The most commonly owned firearm is a hunting rifle. If you happen to own a firearm, but don't have a license, you are required to have it stored at a police station, for example when you inherit your grandfather's hunting rifle. For that you pay a relatively low storage fee, but you still own it.

I think these laws are fine. I don't own a firearm myself, but I do know one guy who carries a 9mm on him at all times for defensive purposes (his daughter had a very bad experience, after which he decided to carry a gun). I like the fact that a license is always only valid for 5 years.

Spain/Poland: you can get a gun for sport shooting but you absolutely not allowed to carry it loaded. You can only take it to and from the shooting range but you have to unload it. You can get a gun for selfe defence but there's police review and psychology tests. If you get it it's mandatory to store it in a safe at home, you can't drink when you're carrying it, you have to carry it hidden. There are no stand your grand laws. If you shoot someone you will have to prove it was in response to direct threat to your life. Super happy with those laws.

USA here, more depressed about our gun nonsense than before.

I live in Oregon but grew up in Australia, where you can't get guns. There's a process for farmers to apply for a gun to shoot roos and whatnot, but that's it. Other than that only police and military get guns.

Having lived in countries with no guns and all the guns, I would vote for almost anyone who promised to criminalize gun ownership here in the US. There's no benefit to a gun flooded society and infinite misery.

In Brazil guns are expensive (multiple monthly minimum wage), there are no gun shops easily available and the Policia Federal (kinda like FBI) needs to check your background and approve you before you buy (and they usually don't).

Last presidential term, Bolsonaro tried to make easier to buy and have guns available, and as result a lot of guns got in the hands of organized crime. Now most of these changes were revoked.

I don't like guns around, you guys have a huge problem with school shootings and this trend is spreading to Brazil (and we have problems enough already). A peaceful society with guns can be peaceful; a violent society without guns easily available will be violent; but a violent society with guns will be far more deadly.

Live in a third world country sort of famous for its gang violence and migrant caravans, and we have strict gun laws. Used to be you could buy semi auto rifles, now unless you got a good reason (like hunting), pistols are your best hope.

Honestly, at this point I wish we had an easier time getting a hold of them. It might be the help people in some areas need to drive gangs out their neighborhoods, cus I sure as hell ain't trusting a pig not to take a bribe.

Edit: also, might make the government think twice about fucking with democracy or stepping over the common man.

New Zealand. Gun laws are pretty strict, though we have lots of farmers who have guns for defending livestock. You can own guns with a valid reason (e.g. recreational shooting, not self defense) but essentially the only two places they can be is in a locked safe or (being transported to) a gun range.

In addition any and all tools and weapons are illegal to carry for the purpose of self defense (knives, pepper spray, tazers, clubs, screwdrivers, etc.). There's a crime epidemic here at the moment, corner stores being robbed by people with machetes, jewelry stores ram raided with trucks, but if you dare even carry pepper spray to defend yourself you can be jailed. Don't bother calling the cops either, they won't be there until at least half an hour later. Cops don't care about robberies. We literally once had the dispatcher tell us that no police would be coming. It's ridiculous.

I wish self defense laws were less crazy here, if someone enters your home or property armed with a weapon you should be able to respond appropriately without fear of going to jail yourself.

Very strict. Even if you HAVE connections, most of the time you're gonna get a pistol at best. It's easier to hire security agencies with AK47s than to get even say a shotgun. Very happy with this.

In Dominican Republic the laws don't allow anyone to carry, however, if you have enough money, you can pay your way through owning a gun and carrying legally. It's messed up. I wish the law about guns here was like in Australia. No guns. End of story.

In Belgium.

Generally you can only easily buy hunting rifles here.

But you can buy every kind of firearm if you get the proper licenses and have them registered.

My uncle is a gun nut. He doesn't fire them other than the required qualification renewals. He's more into them to show off and simply have them.

His most prized guns are a Barret M82-a1 and an antique "elephant gun" chambered in .577 Express.

He has a load of various revolvers, handguns, a couple ARs and an AK, all bought legally.

All but the "normal caliber" hunting rifles he owns are to be either disabled (firing pin removed) or stored at a shooting range.

Most of them are disabled and in a display case at his home. The Barret, 2 ARs and some of the handguns are at the shooting range.

EDIT: note, there are of course different regulations when you're in a profession that requires a gun, like security.

My answer is how it is for your regular person that just wants guns for recreation or show.

India : guns are licensed, and licenses aren't easy to get. Huge black market of low standard gins though.

Austria: relativly strict: you have to have a reason (hunting, self defense or sport). depending on the category of weapon a mental assessment could be necessary (not in case of hunting rifles only). automatic weapons, explosives and some other weapons are not legal to own privately. you have to securely store the weapon and need an extra permission for carrying - which is nigh unobtainable, even for active police. Transportation in a locked container and unloaded.

Netherlands here. You can get a permit for sport shooting or hunting. Guns for self defense are not allowed.

Any violence used to catch a burglary or somebody breaking in has to be a reasonable response. So if they have no weapon and you hit them with a baseball bat you are actually in trouble. This can be very frustrating but there is a point to it. Minimal violence is the name of the game here.

Even the police are trained to talk first and only resort to violence when absolutely necessary. Drawing a weapon as a cop means filling out paperwork and there will be a review to make sure it was the right move.

However, for sport shooting you have to join a shooting club and shoot competition. The first year you can only shoot with air guns.

If you get a gun for sport shooting, you have to have a safe for the weapon, grounded to the wall and the floor. It will be inspected and police can check on you at random times.

Ammo and weapon should be separated at all times, transport can only be done in cases.

You are not allowed to load the gun until you are basically ready to shoot. If you have to shoot five times, you are not allowed to load six shots. You can have a maximum of 5 guns. Assault rifles are not legal I think. There are no competitions with them, so you have no reason to buy them.

The rules are strict. We only had one big "recent" shooting and I think it is at least 10 years ago. I like it.

Of course criminals stil have guns, but for a random guy who lost his job and want to take revenge it is neigh impossible to just buy an AK47 and shoot all his colleagues. Quite a safe feeling actually.

The UK has really strict laws on firearms AFAIK, you have to either apply for a certificate from the police or surrender them even if you're an antique collector. The government website ofc does into more detail. I'm not really involved in the firearms debate, so I can't say if I want more or less. I will say there's a lot of knife crime in the UK though, enough for it to be a common occurrence on local news and a meme in online circles.

I'm not from here, but in Svalbard, a firearm is a legal requirement due to the bears in the area, but even then the use of it should be a last-resort if all the other bear deterrents have failed. Tom Scott's got a good video on it.

If you don’t want a debate, just the data, you want:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overview_of_gun_laws_by_nation

Just chiming in to say this is a great question, and I hope you get quality answers.