Australia
Australia allows children as young as 10 to obtain firearm licenses with the supervision of an adult. It does not consider personal protection a legitimate reason to obtain a firearm license. Carrying a firearm in public is prohibited without a permit or a “genuine reason” – again personal protection does not count. Background checks consider criminal, mental, physical, addiction, domestic violence, residential and other records. If you have a past history or high likelihood of family violence, your gun license could be denied or revoked.
Belgium
Belgium’s gun laws are ranked “permissive” and carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed with a valid permit. Private sale and the transfer of firearms is prohibited. Military weapons, automatic firearms and their ammunition, concealable firearms, silencers, laser sights and high capacity cartridges are all considered illegal.
Canada
In Canada, automatic firearms are illegal unless registered prior to 1978. Also prohibited are handguns with a barrel of 105 mm or less in length, and specifically modified handguns, rifles and shotguns. Background checks include addiction and domestic violence records as well as mental health and criminal records. The right to a gun is not guaranteed by law and the penalty for the illicit possession of a firearm can be between five to 10 years in prison.
China
No civilian may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition in China. Some exceptions to this rule exist and the law says government-issued firearms can be allocated for those in genuine need. Applicants pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and domestic violence history. Carrying a firearm in a public place is allowed.
Denmark
Denmark does not allow the private ownership of automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects and armour-piercing, incendiary and expanding ammunition. Firearm license applicants must be 18 or older and must prove a genuine reason to possess a firearm. A gun dealer’s license is required to sell firearms.
France
In France, licensed firearm owners are only permitted to possess a limited quantity of ammunition. One is required to provide a genuine reason to possess a firearm including hunting, target shooting, personal protection or security. Background checks include criminal, mental health and health records. The maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is seven years prison and a fine. Carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is not allowed but a concealed carry of a firearm in a public place is allowed with a valid permit.
Germany
Illicit possession of a firearm can mean up to 10 years in prison in Germany. You must be 21 years or older to obtain a firearm license and you must also take a government mandated safety/training course. Automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects and armor-piercing incendiary and expanding ammunition are illegal.
Ireland
At 15, with a genuine reason and a background check, an individual can obtain a firearm permit in Ireland. Private sale and transfer of a firearm is not allowed. The illicit possession of a firearm can result in up to 14 years in prison. Carrying a firearm in a public place is allowed by law both when in plain view and when concealed. Handguns, military-style weapons automatic and semi-automatic firearms are illegal.
Israel
Israelis must be 27 years old to obtain a firearm license unless they have served in the Israeli military (in which case they can be 21). They must re-apply and re-qualify for the firearms license every three years and official records must be kept for every firearm.
Italy
Italy’s laws are fairly typical of the rest of the European Union. Automatic firearms and firearms disguised as other objects are illegal, along with armour-piercing, incendiary and expanding ammunition. For a firearms license, one must prove a genuine reason to possess a firearm including self-defense, hunting, sport, work or performance of duties or collection. Background checks consider mental health records and applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Japan
In Japan, civilians are not allowed to possess handguns, hunting guns without specific approval, military rifles, machine guns, any gunpowder charged firearm, certain air guns and imitation firearms. Civilians can request a permit for a firearm if they are over 18 and have a genuine reason for one such as hunting or target shooting. Background checks include using criminal and mental health records. The private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited.
Mexico
Mexican civilians are not allowed to possess fully automatic weapons, or military grade firearms intended for Navy, Army or Air Force use. Mexican background checks include criminal, mental physical and addiction records. For pistol and revolver permits, it requires third party character references. The private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited. Carrying a firearm in a public place is allowed subject to a valid permit but public demonstrations and celebrations are considered “gun free zones”.
Russia
Russian law dictates that automatic firearms and handguns are illegal for civilian use. To acquire a firearm, one must provide a genuine reason for wanting one, be over age 18 and must submit to background checks including medical, criminal and mental health records. Carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is illegal with some exceptions.
Spain
Automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects and armour-piercing, incendiary and expanding ammunition are all illegal in Spain. Carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed with the proper permit. One must be over 18 years old to obtain a permit and background checks including mental health records as well as history of domestic violence. There is also a government mandated firearm safety course.
Sweden
In Sweden, automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects and armour-piercing, incendiary and expanding ammunition are all illegal. One cannot sell firearms without a dealer’s license. Carrying a firearm in plain view in public is allowed without a permit only in exceptional circumstances. A firearm safety course is also required to obtain a firearm permit.
Switzerland
In Switzerland, the right to own a gun is guaranteed by law. But there are regulations including prohibiting automatic firearms, some automatic firearms converted into semi-automatic firearms, incendiary or armour-piercing ammunition. To own a gun in Switzerland, one must also be 18 years old and go through a background check which considers criminal, mental and addiction records. Once someone has obtained a firearm license, he must reapply every five years to keep it
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has some of the strictest gun laws in Europe. Semi-automatic and automatic guns are illegal, gun owners cannot carry firearms in a public place, and private sales and transfers of firearms are against the law. Background checks consider mental health, criminal and addiction records and third-party character references are required to obtain a firearm license.