Recently I seeded an article in which a conservative think tank rated the 10 countries with the most freedom in the world, and a comparison of health care systems. That got me to thinking ... with the current talk of gun regulation, I wondered how we fare in terms of gun laws and relative number of gun murders for these countries.
To the right is a synopsis of that research, and below is the specifics for each of these countries.
1. Hong Kong
Guns in Hong Kong are regulated by the Department of Justice. Only licensed gun owners may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition. In Hong Kong, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required for a firearm licence.
Rate of Gun Homicides per 100,000: 0.26 (2009) Gun homicides as percentage of all homicides: 5.0%
2. Singapore
In Singapore, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law. Private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is not specifically prohibited in law. Private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is not specifically prohibited in law. Only licensed gun owners may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition.
Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Singapore are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example sports shooting and self-protection. The minimum age for gun ownership in Singapore is 18 for sports shooting, and for self-protection. An applicant for a firearm licence in Singapore must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental, medical, and Gun Club Membership records.
Rate of Gun Homicides per 100,000: 0.02 (2006) Gun homicides as percentage of all homicides: 4.0%
3. Australia
In Australia, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law. Civilians are not allowed to possess automatic and semi-automatic firearms, self-loading and pump action shotguns, handguns with a calibre in excess of .38in with only narrow exemptions, semi-automatic handguns with a barrel length less than 120mm, and revolvers with a barrel length less than 100mm. Private possecion on of fully automatic weapons is prohibited, with only narrow exceptions for permanently inoperable collector's, display, or museum guns. In Australia, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons and their lookalikes is prohibited in all but exceptional circumstances. In Australia, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is only permitted subject to stringent conditions.
In Australia, only licensed gun owners may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition. Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Australia are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, collection, pest control, and narrow occupational uses. In law, personal protection is not a genuine reason.
The minimum age for gun ownership in Australia is 18 years, or as young as 10 years while under the immediate supervision of an appropriately licensed adult.
An applicant for a firearm licence in Australia must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental, physical, addiction, domestic violence, residential and other records. Third party character references for each gun licence applicant are required for some licence categories in some jurisdictions. Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law stipulates that a gun licence should be denied or revoked.
In Australia, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required for a firearm licence. Gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 1 to 5 years depending on the licence category. Authorities maintain a record of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition, licensed firearm owners in Australia are permitted to possess only the number and type of firearms specified on their licence or acquisition permit.
Rate of Gun Homicides per 100,000: 0.13 (2010) Gun homicides as percentage of all homicides: 14%
4. New Zealand
In New Zealand, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law. Civilians are not allowed to possess handguns, military-style semi-automatic weapons or fully automatic firearms without a permit to purchase and a relevant firearm licence endorsement. Private possession of fully automatic weapons is restricted to police-approved licensed gun owners with a ‘collector' licence endorsement. Each automatic or restricted weapon must be registered to its owner, and disabled when not in use. Private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is restricted to police-approved licensed gun owners with a Military-Style Semi Automatic (MSSA) licence endorsement. Each MSSA must be registered to its owner and securely stored when not in use Private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is restricted to police-approved licensed gun owners with a ‘pistol’ licence endorsement. Each handgun must be registered to its owner and securely stored.
In New Zealand, only licensed gun owners may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition. Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in New Zealand are not legally required to prove genuine reason to possess a standard hunting or sports shooting firearm, but specific reasoning is required for special licence endorsements for pistols, restricted firearms, and Military Style Semi-Automatic weapons, including sports shooting, hunting, and collection. Owning a firearm for self-defence is specifically excluded, and prohibited.
Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in New Zealand are not legally required to prove genuine reason to possess a standard hunting or sports shooting firearm, but specific reasoning is required for special licence endorsements for pistols, restricted firearms, and Military Style Semi-Automatic weapons, including sports shooting, hunting, and collection. Owning a firearm for self-defence is specifically excluded, and prohibited. The minimum age for gun ownership in New Zealand is 16 years, 18 years for military style semi-automatic firearms,61 and any age while shooting an unrestricted firearm (shotgun, rifle, or airgun) under the immediate supervision of an appropriately qualified licence holder. An applicant for a firearm licence in New Zealand must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental, medical, addiction and domestic violence records. Third party character references for each gun licence applicant are required.
Rate of Gun Homicides per 100,000: 0.26 (2009) Gun homicides as percentage of all homicides: 8.2%
5. Switzerland
In Switzerland, the right to private gun ownership is guaranteed by law. Civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, some automatic firearms converted into semi-automatic firearms, incendiary or armour-piercing ammunition, and 'expansive projectiles for handguns.'Private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited. Private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted under licence. Private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence.
In Switzerland, some 'manual repetition rifles' for sport and hunting may be owned without a licence, but in other cases only licensed gun owners may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition However, applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Switzerland are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, self-defence, and collection.
The minimum age for gun ownership in is 18 years. An applicant for a firearm licence in Switzerland must pass background checks which consider mental, criminal and domestic violence records.
Rate of Gun Homicides per 100,000: 0.52 (2010) Gun homicides as percentage of all homicides: 75%
6. Canada
In Canada, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law. Civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, except those registered before 197850, handguns with a barrel of 105mm or less in length, and specifically modified handguns, rifles or shotguns. Private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited, except those registered before 1978. Private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is prohibited with only narrow exemptions.
Private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted, with an authorization to carry. In Canada, only licensed gun owners may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition. Applicants for a gun owner’s licence are not required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm except when the licence concerns prohibited and restricted firearms. The minimum age for gun ownership in Canada is 18 years or 12 years, with limitations.
An applicant for a firearm licence must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental, addiction and domestic violence. Third party character references for each gun licence applicant are required. Licensing authorities are required to conduct interviews with, or to advise an applicant's spouse, partner, or next of kin before issuing a gun licence. Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Canada stipulates that a gun licence should be denied or revoked.
In Canada, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required for a firearm licence. Ggun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 5 years.
Rate of Gun Homicides per 100,000: 0.5 (2009) Gun homicides as percentage of all homicides: 28%
7. Chile
Guiding gun control legislation in Chile is the Convention of 1 July 1969 on Reciprocal Recognition of Proofmarks on Small Arms. Private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence. Only licensed gun owners may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition. Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Chile are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, collection, personal protection, security.
Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Chile are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, collection, personal protection, security.
The minimum age for gun ownership in Chile is 18 years. An applicant for a firearm licence in Chile must pass background
checks which consider criminal and mental records. Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Chile does not stipulate that a gun licence should be denied or revoked.
Rate of Gun Homicides per 100,000: 2.2 (2005) Gun homicides as percentage of all homicides: 56%
8. Mauritius
Guns in Mauritius are regulated by the Commissioner of Police, the Police and Customs Departments. Only licensed gun owners may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition. Gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every year.
Rate of Gun Homicides per 100,000: 0.08 (2006) Gun homicides as percentage of all homicides: 1.9%
9. Denmark
In Denmark, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects, and armour-piercing, incendiary and expanding ammunition. Private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited. Private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted only with special authorisation. Private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted only with special authorisation
In Denmark, only licensed gun owners may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition. Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Denmark are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, collection. The minimum age for gun ownership in Denmark is 18 years. An applicant for a firearm licence in Denmark must pass background checks which consider criminal and mental38 records checks which consider criminal records.
Rate of Gun Homicides per 100,000: 0.3 (2009) Gun homicides as percentage of all homicides: 32%
10. United States
In the United States, the right to private gun ownership is guaranteed by law. Civilians are not allowed to possess machine-guns, sawn-off shotguns and rifles, silencers, and armour-piercing ammunition without appropriate registration. Private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited without appropriate registration. Private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted without a licence in some jurisdictions. Private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted without a licence in some jurisdictions.
The minimum age for gun ownership in the United States is regulated by state or local authorities according to weapon type, but is 18 years to purchase shotguns and rifles and 21 years to purchase all other firearms, according to Federal law. The law does not require that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register.
Rate of Gun Homicides per 100,000: 3.59 (2010) Gun homicides as percentage of all homicides: 73%
Obviously there are some differences, but one not denoted is that every country in the list is classified as having a "restricted" gun policy except one ... the United States ... and rank higher in overall freedom.
Research for this article is from information provided by Gunpolicy.org.