How many hoops do you have to jump through in Denmark to own firearms? Just wondering how stringent the regulations are there.
Quite a few actually!
Airguns of .22 calibre and above can only be bought by hunters. Air weapons of .177 calibre are at present free of restriction for those over 18.
CO2 weapons, which are not Paintball or airsoft weapons require a licence (usually through a target shooting club).
You can buy a shotgun if you've passed your hunting test (both theory and a practical test on gun safety, and range estimation), or if you are a member of a clay shooting club. These must be registered with the police. As of 2014 new hunters must also pass a shooting test with their shotgun before they are actually allowed to hunt with them.
Rifles can be bought by hunters too, but they've got to pass a rifle shooting test (a minimum of five out of six shots within 20cm at 100 metres) before they can hunt deer etc. with them, this isn't necessary if you only hunt smaller game though. Members of rifle clubs can of course also purchase rifles.
Hunters may use semi-autos, but their magazines must be restricted to two shot capacity, and permanently attached to the weapon if they are to be used for hunting in Denmark. There is no restriction as to capacity for weapons used for hunting abroad, but it can be difficult to obtain permits for these, even though it shouldn't be.
If you want to shoot pistols you have to join a pistol club and shoot with club weapons for two years before you can apply for permission to buy your own. Though you may buy one through the club beforehand, and store it at the club if the club foreman agrees.
All firearms apart from air weapons of .177 calibre or under are subject to registration (this is free for airguns and shotguns).
Rifle permits cost 840kr (about $149) for the first gun, and 420kr for each additional rifle and are valid for 10 years.
You can also obtain your permit through a shooting club, in which case they cost 200kr (about $35.50) per gun and are valid for five years. The cost is the same for rifles, pistols, and CO2 weapons.
If you want to reload you will need an additional permit.
Breechloading weapons with a model or manufacture date before 1892 can be held on a collectors permit, but no ammunition may be held for any weapons held as collectors items. There is no limit on the number of weapons which can be held on a collectors permit. Unlike normal rifle permits where you have a permit for each rifle.
Original muzzle loaders (pre-1870) can be held without restriction, but modern copies require a licence.
All firearms and firearms parts which require a licence, must be stored securely in an approved gun safe or similar.
Hunters must remember to buy a new hunting licence each year at a cost of about $94, or their rifle permits will be cancelled.
I think that about covers the basics.