gun ownership rights in other countries.

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In Russia, average citizens have rights to own and bear some types of arms. As usual here, laws are complicated and sometimes plain dumb, and self-defense with guns is usually frowned upon by courts :(

Still, a brief summary
All firearms can be bought only with permit from police. Subsequent registration in police is a must

Shotguns are more or less easy to get, as long as bbl is not shorter than 20" / 50cm or OAL is longer than 31" / 80 cm. Shorter OAL is possible with folding stock guns IF gun can not fire with butt folded. Maximum mag capacity 10 rounds

Rifles (even .22lr ones) can be bought only after 5 yrs of shotgun ownership :(

handguns are prohibited,

BUT

there's a selection of less-lethal weapons, mostly pistols and revolvers firing rubber bullets, which can be bought on special license and then carried for self-defense
 
Okay, so in sum. All anti-gunners in the U.S. should be despised for their views and ideas but tolerated within the confines of the laws. All European ideas of gun ownership except for Switzerland(and pre-1999 especially) should be looked upon with disgust because well...I'm not signning up for any of that garbage and I wish my European brethren luck on their rights to being free men. If ever I needed any more reason to detest antis, or non-American ideals, I got some. Man I thought we had it bad in Florida not being able to open carry or the whole 86' closed register for Machine Guns but these poor folks across the world...just defys belief. Now I understand better why so many turn to crime in so much of the rest of the world(yeah we got criminals because of our drug prohibition laws, didn't work with booze, will never work with drugs) with such laws and government, if the government isn't going to let you be free, let you be a man, why respect what the government says when it's full of cowards, traitors, thieves, murderers, and scum.
 
+10thou magnum dweeb

if someone wishes to disarm you they wish you to die,humans as a rule are defenseless without our ability to make and/or use tools for defense.

i hae a hardtime trusting or respecting anyone who doesnt trust me being armed
 
MagnumDweeb--I don't think your rant follows the theme of this thread. Mostly, so far, (with the exception of my first post0, the posting has been a catalog of various firearms laws in nations.

What garbage are you not signing up for?

I understand you may find other nations' gun laws "...defys (sic) belief." But, it really has nothing to do with belief--i.e, what you (and I) believe should be true of all free men. What is true is that the only country with a constitutional right for the general populace to own firearms is the US. All the others--even including the Swiss--have limited that to government control.

The concept of an inherent right to self-defense against government tyranny simply doesn't exist elsewhere. Residents of the British Empire can understand it, kind of--but they have always seen themselves as subjects. Citizens of any country can work to change that, even revolt against their government--but without the notion of inherent right, it really will be only one group of power-people replacing another.

Jim H.
 
I'm canadian. I have a shotgun, a handgun and an AR-15. That sums up what we can own up here.

However, the firearms are classed in three categories.
-Non-restricted, that covers long guns such as shotguns and rifles, and semi-auto rifles with a barrel longer than 18.5".
-Restricted, handguns and semi-auto rifles with a barrel shorter than 18.5", the AR-15 is restricted by name, no matter what barrel you have on it.
-Prohibited, that covers handguns with a barrel shorter than 4.1", full-auto guns and such. To own such things, you need to be grandfathered, to be grandfathered you needed to have such firearms registered to your name when the new laws came to effect in 1997. If you didn't have these guns before the laws, you're not going to get a prohibited licence, ever.

With restricted firearms, you need an ATT (authorisation to transport), that is basically a permit that allows you to drive to your gun club with your restricted guns in the trunk of the car, trigger locked and in a locked hard case.

You can transport non-restricted firearms wherever, whenever you want, and don't need any lock of any kind, it just needs to be unloaded and out of sight. That means my Rem 870 with a buckshot loaded side saddle in the trunk of my car is legal, no matter what kind of crap a LEO may tell you, they don't know firearms laws, so that's why we all carry an example of the official storage and transportation regulations with our guns.
 
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^ And you can only have 5-round mags in that AR-15.

Quick Q, if say, in a week every gun shop in Canada carried AR-pistols, would that then make it a 'common pistol', so that ten-round AR mags would be legal? Because, IIRC, pistol caliber rifles may use ten-round pistol mags, correct? (Or am I thinking something else?)
 
^^ Ten rounds pistol AR-15 magazines are already legal. ;) And yes, 10 rounds for any pistol firearm. 5 rounds for semi-auto long guns. I don'T know why I forgot to mention that. :D

But they're not cheap.
 
CoRoMo said:
Australia has firearm ownership. New Zealand too, IIRC. Switzerland, of course is one fine example.

I'll find a good thread from a while ago where a lot of good information was compiled. brb

edit:
I don't know where it might be, but someone here once linked to, or attached a very comprehensive table with tons of information on every country where ownership is known.

Anyway, here's the search results from the word 'countries' in the title.

http://www.thehighroad.org/search.php?searchid=7065327

There is plenty of information in these threads alone.
Click to expand...
I thought Australia was now an official gun free-zone?
 
sv51macross said:
So I take it that using a AR-pistol magazine in a AR rifle is a no-no?
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It's a yes-yes. You can use AR pistol magazines in any AR, I don't know why you took it the other way around. ;) Maybe because explaining canadian firearms laws would take an hour and ten pages, and I don't want to do that.

A year ago when the LAR-15 pistol magazines were imported, people were a bit confused at the range when you shot that 10 round magazines, they looked at you like you were some kind of bizarre fool with some kind of magical magazine. :D
 
^

Okay, personally, I could live with 10-round mags if need be. Canada is now much more attractive a place to live.
 
I really dont get those magasine capacity restriction ? changing a mag on an ar can take less than 2 seconds...

whats the différence in between 3 x 10 mags or 1 x 30 in terms of danger ???
 
Shung, Paul Helmke [Brady Bunch leader] himself has admitted this, on recorded radio. Like other assault weapons bans, there is no point or real effect. One can reload very quickly.
 
Yemen had virtually unrestricted rights up until the UN pressured them into changing that. A lot of African and ME countries have restrictions that are widely ignored outside of metro areas (i.e. in the the country, tribal lands, etc.)

Norway, Sweden, and Finland have HUGE hunting and rec shooting populations, but require the basic routine of license-storage-ammo store limit-no SD laws. Finland I believe had the second-highest guns per capita, right behind us. Gun ownership is considered a privilege there.

In England, pump-action or break-open shotguns, etc. (three-round cap limit) can be had relatively easily. Rifles are harder. The attitude on guns regardless is bad, though.

Apparently in France ex-military and other "qualified persons" can own virtually anything after registering with a club and registering their ownership status. Israel is more or less the same way, but firearms ownership is more of a duty there than a right or privilege.

Czech Republic has very liberal laws. Guns have to be registered, but you can get ownership and carry licenses easily after you pass a health examination to make sure you aren't nuts. They can own everything short of machine guns and ordnance/explosives/etc. I believe rifles have a capacity limit, though - and there is a tiered licensing. the general opinion of guns over there is "non-issue" apparently. There was a post where a member here told us how he was sitting at his desk in his office job with a CZ on his hip, and explained the laws better.

Switzerland lets you own anything so long as you are a member at a club, but there is an expensive permit routine for firing full-auto (something like $150USD for a day). but there is also the conscription thing.

IIRC, in Germany, you can own handguns and rifles, but there are severe restrictions on what, and how you must store it. Must also be a member of a club.

Brazil now allows carry, but it's a very long, restrictive process that also regulates how many guns and how much ammo (usually: one gun, and no more than 100 rounds) you can legally own/purchase.

I used to have all the info saved, but do not now and am just reciting from (hopefully correct) memory.
 
RP88 said:
Czech Republic has very liberal laws. Guns have to be registered, but you can get ownership and carry licenses easily after you pass a health examination to make sure you aren't nuts. They can own everything short of machine guns and ordnance/explosives/etc. I believe rifles have a capacity limit, though - and there is a tiered licensing. the general opinion of guns over there is "non-issue" apparently. There was a post where a member here told us how he was sitting at his desk in his office job with a CZ on his hip, and explained the laws better.
Click to expand...

Whole process:
-find where in your district is police department of firearms, ammunition and explosives where you apply for examination and they check if there are any offcence register issues - crimes/drugs/alcohol problems etc. and tell you where and when will your examinain take place. Its usulay 2 weeks later at local shooting range.
Then you go to see your doctor and ask him/her for approval - if he doubs your mental health he may send you to psycho test, but that happens rarely.
Examination has teoretical writen test - gun a selfdefence law, gun terminology and first aid. - you can receive up to 79 points - for collecting you need at least 67 points, for sport and hunting 71 and for selfdefence 74.
If you pass it there is practical part :
Proper handling, strip for cleaning and terminology of gun parts - safe handling is the most strict, terminology the least one - examiner wont fire you at this one.
Last par is shooting - hit the paper at 10m by 4 out of 5 shots within 3 minutes.. easy:)
If you indanger anyone you fail the exam imedialety - safety is generaly main purpose of the practical part.
After this all you get paper that you pass the exam and bring it together with paper from doctor it to police and apply for gun licence - you will get it within 2-4 weeks.

All (A,B,C class) guns are registered and if you carry it you have to carry gun card(translating bureau terms is pain) with it.

Only magazine limitation is for hunting semiautos - max. 2 rounds in magazine. Therefore if you replace your CZ 858's 30rd. mag by 2rd. one, you can hunt with it but you will be frowned upon by other hunters..
Oh, muzzleloaders with over 2 bores/barels(= revolvers) are C class - registered, up to 2 bores - unregistered. :banghead: stupid.

Atleast one good point: schools are not gun free zones.
So I carry my Ruger in my college with no problems, actualy school even arranges shooting competition at local range:)
 
Shung said:
I really dont get those magasine capacity restriction ? changing a mag on an ar can take less than 2 seconds...

whats the différence in between 3 x 10 mags or 1 x 30 in terms of danger ???
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You know, these gun laws are not created by smart people, nor are they created by emotionally stable people.

That reminds me of a famous quote:

- The best argument against democracy is a conversation with the average voter.
 
My most sincere apologies. What I had meant was relatively easy compared to countries such as the UK, People's Republic of China, Japan, etc. Again my apologies for the misunderstanding.
 
Apparently in France ex-military and other "qualified persons" can own virtually anything after registering with a club and registering their ownership status..
Click to expand...

not exactly.. in France anybody can ask a prefectoral autorisation (renew every 3 year) to own category1 or category4 guns (military calibers, most semi auto's, and handguns) , but you must be part of a gun club, make 3 yearly controlled shootings, and be cleared by your doctor.. you must be 18 and be member of a gunclub to buy firearms in category 5 (long guns, civilian calibers like 357mag and 44mag). You are limited to 7 guns from category 1 and 4 + 5 rimfire calibers.. no limit in category 5 . Category 8 are cap & balls, free to buy and own when 18..

Switzerland lets you own anything so long as you are a member at a club, but there is an expensive permit routine for firing full-auto (something like $150USD for a day). but there is also the conscription thing.
Click to expand...

BIG NO.. in Switzerland, the right to firearms is NOT linked to be member at a gun club.. Every citizen with no criminal or medical record can buy and own as many firearms as he wants with not limit of size, caliber, or mag capaity, except full autos. You need each time a 50$ permit to buy up to 3 firearms at once.

Full-auto guns are forbidden, but you can get a special buying permit for them (collector).. it's like a tax.. 150$ for 1 gun. If you want to legally shoot the gun, you need to pay a daily permit (100$).. this is mainly to keep full auto guns as collectibles and not having gun range crowded with full auto fire (Switzerland being a small coutry, their isnt room enough to go shooting in a desert, and it's hard to find a straight mile without a building or human activity..)

The right to carry, we mainly lost it in 1999 when the law became federal.. it's now a privilege, and you only get it if you can proove a need because you are endangered.. Practically, if you are not rich, politically connected, or very seriously threathened, you can go **** yourself...
 
it's a day per day arrangement. If you want to legally shoot full auto, you must ask a daily permit to the police and pay the fee (100$).. (and must indicate where and when you'll be shootin's) . This is the law.. of course, I guess it's everywhere the same.. we have a saying.. "not seen not caught" Won't say more ;)

Civilian carry is allowed if you get the license.. the license is easy to pass (theoretical and practical exam) but in order to get there, you need to proove a "need" .. very easy to proove that maybe in the future you'll be assaulted/robbed/raped, right ??? So actually, it's a privilege you get if you are very wealthy, politically connected, or very unlucky and can proove that you are threathened to death..

Self defense at home with a gun is legal, if the use of force is proportionate to the threat.. (that means you cannot shoot an escaping robber in the back)

You can freely tansport your guns (issued or privately owned) as long as the transportation seem to be logical (from your house to a gunshop, to the range, or to a friends house or someone else to sell the gun etc etc) ... but for example, you cannot keep a gun for weeks in your car.. this would not be considered as transportation, but kind of carry.. But it's a blurry situation, and each case would be judged separately. You can carry the ammunition as well for the same reasons. What you cannot do (who be considered as illegal carry) would be to carry loaded magasines, even away from the gun.. same goes for revolver cylinders..

the guy from your picture is most probably going or coming from the range were he attended his yearly controlled shooting, to check that his shooting skills are still within military requirements.
 
Hi there,
I live in Belgium, wich is the country that contains Brussels, capital of Europe and also housing Nato headquarters.
In Belgium, guns are obtainable for those who can state a legitimate reason:
Licensed hunters (exams!!) can own shotguns and repeaters
Licensed Sports shooters can own repeater rifles, shotguns (not semi-auto or pump), .22 lr semi auto pistols.
Licensed sports shooters or hunters can get individual gun permits for just about everything exept full auto.
Storage and transport are strictly regulated, carry needs a specific permit wich basically is only issued to security personnel when on duty.
Buying ammo is limited to the people who are licensed.
Convicted people are banned from gun ownership.
Sports licenses are to be renewed yearly with statements of good conduct and a medical.
To hold a license you have to prove 12 visits to the range per year.

Al in al it costs some money, uth it has some advantages:
- if your not a 'registered' criminal, you can become a gun owner in 6 months
- once passed this first hurdle, obtaining additional licenses or buying additional guns is reasonably easy
- guns are limited to those who are willing to get some currency training

I can live with this

greetz

Peter
 
Put me on the Love America side. We have let ourselves slip in a few areas and that needs to be fixed but here it is a right, in the rest of the world it is a privilege.
 
It is a right in Switzerland too, it is in our Constitution, although not as strong as the 2nd amendment..

but as you see in the US, even a right written in the Constitution is not enough to stop the antigunners to achieve their goals..
 
Shung, can you expand on this post?

Maybe quote the relevant section of the Constitution, and how it is interpreted?

Jim H.
 
Great thread, just expanding on the prohibited class in Canada.

Many semi-auto rifles and handguns are prohibited to own in Canada if they were around in 1995 or earlier and they looked scary, the HK G11 PROTOTYPE even made it on the list. Every other newer design is basically non-restricted or restricted (semi auto-centerfire bbl under 18.5")

Centerfire semi auto have a magazine capacity of 5 not including lifters/chamber etc.

Rimfire rifles have unlimited mag capacity, as do manual repeating centerfire (lever,break,bolt,etc).

Handguns have a 10 round capacity. You can use a rimfire rifle mag in a rimfire pistol and have 10+, same with the AR15 'loophole' with using an AR pistol mag in a rifle.

While in some aspects Canadian firearms law is better then US (no 922r, no 200$ SBS tax stamp) Americans overall have it much better then us up north.

We have required licensing and registration.
 
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