Switzerland has one of the highest per capita rates of guns in the world.
Several European countries, such as Switzerland, Finland, Norway, and Austria, have relatively high gun ownership rates compared to other regions. This can be attributed to a combination of hunting traditions, recreational shooting, and historical factors such as the maintenance of citizen militias.
In Europe, Serbia is ranked as number one (and number 2 in the world, behind the United States), with 69.7 estimated guns per 100 inhabitant. It is followed by Switzerland, with 45.7 guns per 100 residents, and Cyprus, with 36.1.
The Swiss stance is one of "armed neutrality." Switzerland hasn't taken part in any international armed conflict since 1815, but some Swiss soldiers help with peacekeeping missions around the world. Many Swiss see gun ownership as part of a patriotic duty to protect their homeland.
Owning and using a firearm is limited in Australia to people who have a genuine reason and self-protection does not constitute a genuine reason to possess, own or use a firearm. Secondly, the Australian system requires both the licensing of individual shooters and the registration of each firearm.
Gun numbers – The number of guns that are owned by civilians is around 3 million, with approximately 8% of the Swedish nation being reported to live in a household with a gun. At the same time, the number of government-issued guns are at a combined 200,000 for the military and law enforcement.
Based upon various metrics alongside calculations over the course of multiple years, Singapore has the lowest firearm-related death rate in the world, and Venezuela has the highest.
In Germany, people aged 18 or over with no criminal history can obtain a permit to own a gun if they fulfil certain legal requirements. These regulate the weapon's safe storage and also require that the individual is psychologically fit.
According to Italian law, citizens are allowed to own: 1) Up to three common firearms (usually handguns, but all firearms not using hunting calibers fall into this category, such as 10-gauge shotguns, or some . 22 rimfire pistols and rifles);
Firearms may be acquired for self-defense, hunting, or sports activities, as well as for collection purposes. Carrying permits may be issued for hunting firearms licensed for hunting purposes.
Every type of gun you can imagine, and the best of the best, can be found being manufactured in the U.S.A. Gun manufacturers in the United States have always been one step ahead of all others, and true pioneers in their craft.
After the fall of communism, Czechs restored their gun rights and now have some of the most permissive gun laws in Europe. Recreational shooting is one of the most popular sports in the Czech Republic.
Austria is considered to have the most relaxed laws in the European Union. From aged 18, Austrians can freely buy and own certain types of shotguns and semi-automatic rifles for sport and hunting. They only have to be registered with a licensed dealer within six weeks of purchase.
There is no official count of guns in Switzerland. But according to the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey, Switzerland has more guns circulating per capita than any country besides the US and Yemen. The most recent government figures estimate about 2 million firearms in Swiss households.
French gun laws date back to April 18, 1939, though they have been amended a number of times since. They are certainly tough: There is no right to bear arms for the French, and to own a gun, you need a hunting or sporting license which needs to be repeatedly renewed and requires a psychological evaluation.
The basis of modern gun regulation in Japan is the Firearm and Sword Possession Control law, which was first adopted in 1958 and states that “no-one shall possess a fire-arm or fire-arms or a sword or swords.” There are few exceptions that grant gun ownership in the country, such as hunting, sport or industrial ...
With the exception of individuals with hunting permits and some ethnic minorities, civilian firearm ownership is restricted to non-individual entities. Law enforcement, military, paramilitary, and security personnel are allowed to use firearms.
In contrast, some countries experience much lower gun deaths per capita. For example, countries such as Singapore, Japan, China, and South Korea have rates ranging from 0.01 to 0.02 per 100,000 people. These countries have lower rates of crime and violence, and gun ownership is tightly regulated.
The Arms Offences Act 1973 is a statute of the Parliament of Singapore that criminalizes the illegal possession of arms and ammunition and the carrying, trafficking, and usage of arms.
In 2019, homicides by firearm rate for Finland was 0.1 cases per 100,000 population. Though Finland homicides by firearm rate fluctuated substantially in recent years, it tended to decrease through 2005 - 2019 period ending at 0.1 cases per 100,000 population in 2019.
In 2021, Sweden was found to have the 2nd highest gun homicide rate (after Croatia) out of 22 European countries surveyed.
There are no official statistics, and estimates vary considerably. The 2017 report from Small Arms Survey has estimated that the number of civilian-held firearms in Switzerland is of 2,332,000, which given a population of 8.4 million corresponds to a gun ownership of around 27.6 guns per 100 residents.
Denmark does have more restrictive gun laws than the U.S. - individuals must demonstrate a valid reason to possess a firearm (hunting, collection), obtain a permit, clear a criminal and mental background check, and have the aqcuisition, possession, and transfer of each firearm be registered.