Countries where you can own a so-called AW

[K-Romulus]

Like the title says, I am trying to compile a list of countries where people can legally own so-called "assault weapons." This in in prep for the upcoming Maryland legislative hearings on bills to ban so-called "assault weapons."

Ideally, these countries would be considered "safe" or with "strong gun laws" (so Somalia and Iraq would not be helpful ) and these firearms would be of the modern semi-auto type (i.e., AR-15, M1A, G3, FN-FAL, SIG-556). Owner background checks/licensing and gun registration should be noted, too, since that is what we have already in MD.

I am particulary interested in hearing from THR members who live in these countries, or who have first-hand knowledge of the issue.

A search here has turned up posts that indicate these countries allow such ownership:

Norway
Finland
Switzerland
Germany
Canada
Czech Republic
New Zealand

Thanks in advance.

Edited: Israel is pretty hard core PRO-gun control, so it's out: http://jpfo.org/israel-firearms.htm

Edited for additions:

France
Dominican Republic

 

[Autolycus]

Its interesting that Canada has made the list since we always hear about them banning guns.

I believe even in Iraq the Iraqi Constitution allows for the family to keep an AK-47.

Interesting...

 

[Gene_WI]

Believe it or not Russia, after you get past the red tape. Also I believe Estonia allows for ownership.

 

[Helmetcase]

Pretty sure Israel should be on the list. Far as I've read, the idea of not allowing someone to carry a gun to protect themselves is about as foreign a concept to them as you can imagine, so I doubt they'd have much issue with you owning an AR15. When teachers and adult chaperones take kids on field trips, they check out guns from the schools to carry with them.

Part of the problem is too many Americans think they won't ever have to defend themselves. If you live in Russia or South Africa or Israel, that's just not the way life is.

We assume everyone lives in relative tranquility compared to ourselves...that simply isn't the way the world is.

 

[Autolycus]

I think that Helmetcase is right. We are a very pampered nation and we dont have problems like other countries. I debate with an anti-gunner (my roommate and best friend) everynight and he points to countries where the people dont have the right to own firearms and says they are safe.

The problem is that when I bring up Israel he says... "Well thats Israel and things are different over there." Which is a BS answer however you want to look at it because they do face terror on a daily basis but we can say the same thing about some of those other countries. However some of them do not face it like we do.

 

[Sniper X]

From what I gather, almost every counrty in the world allows even full auto carry except for the Not so Great Brittian, which allows NO weapons to be carried and ahs the worst crime in the world because of it.

 

[illspirit]

As far as I know, you can own EBRs with all the scary features you want in the UK so long as the piston/gas port is disabled or absent, thus rendering them bolt-action.

While on one hand it may be counter-productive to point this out, it could possibly be useful to illustrate that even the country with the most insane laws ever realizes that pistol grips and such aren't dangerous in and of themselves. Yes, this could provoke them to ban all self-loading rifles regardless of style. But at least the debate would then be based on facts instead of emotional responses to cosmetics?

 

[mp510]

There's a number of AR owners in France. I'm pretty sure they have them in Germany too- I've seen them selling SKS, Garand's, G-3 (http://babelfish.altavista.com/babe...50&PHPSESSID=6c809202cac5250260e9890999f4f314)
and other like weapons.

 

[G36-UK]

I've seen AR-15 variants for sale in the mags over here, but they're straight pull only.

I doubt that's what you're looking for, even if they do have most of the "evil" features.

 

[Banta]

"Its interesting that Canada has made the list since we always hear about them banning guns.

I believe even in Iraq the Iraqi Constitution allows for the family to keep an AK-47.

Interesting..."


Yeah that's the way the media portrays Canada. I think this all started after the Liberal government brought in the gun registry. The truth is though we can own pretty much most of the guns (handguns, rifles, black guns) that the US can it's just we have to be licensed which in itself is quite easy if you have no criminal background. It's not as easy as in the US but it is much easier than places like Britain or Australia.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Just curious, of the countries mentioned, how many of you have magazine restrictions. Canada limits semi-autos to 5 rounds. I think you could put Mexico on that list too, with restrictions, of course. If you get certified as a collector (ie, pay some official off) you get whatever you want.

 

[crazed_ss]

Here's how I argue against AWs on Anti message boards.. I make a post like this:

Here's some video clips from youtube demonstrating why bans on so-called Assault Weapons make no sense. I'd challenge anyone here to explain to me why the guns in the first list of videos are more dangerous than those in the second list. Keep in mind, these "Assault Weapons" are all SEMI-AUTOMATIC. Fully-auto guns are HEAVILY regulated at the federal level and are extremely expensive to own.



These guns here are generally considered "Assault Weapons".. Watch the videos. These are all SEMI-AUTOMATIC. They are all magazine-fed and the rate of fire is how faster the shooter can pull the trigger.

Assault Weapons

AR-15, .223 Cal / 5.56m
Semi-Automatic, Magazine Fed
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nCMEqCPCvV4

AK-47, 7.62x39mm
Semi-Automatic, Magazine Fed
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GzETbM_peEg
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gk9FleNWyPY&mode=related&search=

Tec-9, 9mm
Semi-Automatic, Magazine Fed
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FHUEH_NM0x0

FN FAL, .308 Cal / 7.62mm x 51
Semi-Automatic, Magazine Fed
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LM1JVJ2PtZI


These guns here are generally considered not to be Assault Weapons.. Watch the videos. These are all SEMI-AUTOMATIC. They are all magazine-fed and the rate of fire is how faster the shooter can pull the trigger.

NOT Assault Weapons

M1A, .308 Cal / 7.62mm x 51
Semi-Automatic, Magazine Fed
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MctTmX_th10

Mini-14, .223 Cal / 5.56mm
Semi-Automatic, Magazine Fed
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iYHyEMU_Dcg

SU-16, .223 Cal / 5.56m
Semi-Automatic, Magazine Fed
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RCDm-QM8Tao

Glock 17, 9mm
Semi-Automatic, Magazine Fed
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2kkiW2z65ZY

SKS, 7.62x39mm
Semi-Automatic, 10 round Fixed-Magazine
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_fWASZcqVyU


Once people see how the weapons function in the exact manner and fire the exact same ammunition, they tend to say, "Hmm.. so these AWs really are no dangerous than any other guns? This ban makes no sense" OR it can backfire and they'll say "Hmm.. well we should make all of them AWs then!"

 

[tbtrout]

If I remember correctly, Switzerland mandates every household keep a full auto and all family members recieve annual training.

 

[GRIZ22]

Being able to own a firearm and owning it can be two very different things in some countries. Germany for example has a very structured system you have to go through to own a firearm.

 

[sterling180]

Being able to own a firearm and owning it can be two very different things in some countries. Germany for example has a very structured system you have to go through to own a firearm.

But at least in Germany,you get to own a handgun,whereas in the UK,the antis have succeeded in destroying the fine sport of pistol shooting and calling pistol shooting disciplines, "madness" and "unnessecary".This is madness in my opinion,as well as highly unrational.

Now they are launching an all out attack on replicas,bolt-action rifles,.22 slrs,LBRS(long-barrelled revolvers) and pump-action shotguns.

I've seen AR-15 variants for sale in the mags over here, but they're straight pull only.

I doubt that's what you're looking for, even if they do have most of the "evil" features.

Yes, and I have used one myself,very good gun,even as a slow-reloading straight-pull variation.

Now,these AR-15 straight-pulls are very popular rifles,in the UK hunting and pest-control,communities,because the AR-15 is both rugged and practical,for hunting and pest-control-in all conditions.Pest-controllers use this gun to shoot foxes with,or with the carbine vesion the LA9(lever-action 9:A copy of the Colt 9mm smg.)complete with a 30 round 9mm and .30 carbine magazine.All complete,with a silencer,too.

Even slrs,were quite popular in Scotland,for deer hunting,before the slr ban in 1989.Remingtons,Brownings and colts,were popular,amongst many hunters,who sought an alternative,to a bolt or lever-action.

 

[GRIZ22]

But at least in Germany,you get to own a handgun

You're right Sterling but most of the people in the US go to the gun shop, fill out a form, pass the NICS check, pay their money, and walk out withntheir handgun. States with the most restrictive handgun laws like NJ, NYC, and CA look easy to get a handgun compared to Germany.

Just looking up the laws in different countries or states gives an inaccurate picture of the situation. NJ State law has provisions for a private citizen to get a permit to own a full auto weapon but no private citizen has one in NJ.

 

[LAR-15]

Dominican Republic

 

[Zoogster]

.

 

[madmike]

Israel does NOT allow easy ownership of firearms. If you live in a dangerous area or are retired military, you may own ONE pistol.

I can't speak firsthand for the Canadian laws anymore, but anywhere that calls a 10-22 a "military style" weapon has drunk the Kool Aid.

Switzerland requires all adult MALES to train and keep a weapon, which they may only use at designated times. Well, most males, except for liberals who want to buy out of the system the way the old landowners in feudal times did.

Meanwhile, in the US, crime rates continue to drop with CCW...