I was having a discussion on another forum where someone said that America’s socioeconomic problems are what drive mass shootings as opposed to access to firearms. They pointed at Switzerland which has high firearm ownership but hasn’t had a mass shooting in 20 years.
​
Is it easy to obtain guns in your country or not?
35 comments
It is fairly easy to get a hold of a gun in Denmark; you just need a permit. Permits are obtained with the police, they run a background-check for anything that “make it objectionable” to give you a permit, and if they find nothing, you’re good to go. The permit costs around 1000 DKK (~150 USD or ~130 EUR,) to pay for the process. When you have your permit, you can register your weapons.
Most people who own guns in Denmark do so for hunting, mainly rifles and fowling pieces, though there is also a market for sports shooting with pistols and for weapons for historical re-enactment, though many of the latter will be modified in one way or another, for safety reasons.
There are rules ofc. about the types of gun people are allowed to own, such as automatic and semi-automatic rifles being banned for civilians, and there are rules about storage and transportation; you’re not supposed to flash your shotgun while taking a ride in a DSB train, y’know? But other than that, gun laws in Denmark are pretty straightforward.
Personally, I own a Finnish Tikka T3 .308W, it cost me just over 10.000 DKK (~1400€). There is really no story to it, other than I use it for hunting.
Be 21, be from any EU country.
Get a assessment from a psychologist saying you’re not a danger to society.
Get weapons training (usually from an arms dealer). State a reason (“home defense” will do). Pay 75€.
If you’re a certified hunter you can skip a lot of these.
This is a permit for owning weapons, for carrying you will need a different permit that is much harder to get.
It is relatively easy to obtain a firearm in Switzerland. The restrictions increase with the type of firearm on wants to obtain. For things like a bolt action hunting rifle or a break action shotgun, one simply needs to be 18 and a legal permanent resident or national (there are also restrictions based on where you are from for auslanders to prevent guns being purchased for conflicts). These transactions, and ALL firearms transfers are registered/reported to the police. Things like handguns, lever action, pump action and some semi automatic guns require a special acquisition permit that is shall issue, and requires a criminal record extract and approval by the cantonal police, things like silencers, short semi automatic guns, and high capacity magazine guns need a special permit from the cantonal police called a small exemption permit. My understanding is that these come with some additional restrictions on demonstrating that one either uses these, belongs to a shooting club, or is an official collector. These are also shall issue and require the same criminal records extract. Finally, things like machine guns and other automatics require what we call a large exemption permit from the police to obtain. This is the highest level of restrictions and scrutiny and can come with some additional restrictions of how these types of weapons can be used, stored, and so on.
One can get much more detail on the SwtizerlandGuns sub reddit.
Permits to carry a firearm concealed for defense are not generally issued with out specific reasons for very specific occupations.
Sport shooting and hunting are popular, although less than they were when I was a younger man. Still, private firearms ownership is not unusual here, and if one wants to purchase a firearm, and there are not things preventing it from a legal perspective, it is possible to do so. All the things one might read that Swiss are required to own guns or that everyone here is trained to shoot is just internet garbage. I would say that most Swiss don’t own guns, and have no interest in doing so, including many who have done army service.
As for the Netherlands:
Legally, it’s not very easy to obtain a firearm. You’ll need quite some hours at the shooting range and a proof of good behavior. If you get to the point where it’s deemed legal to take your firearm home, you’ll need to keep it locked away and can’t use it for say emergencies.
Illegally, it’s not very hard. People like to think that there are no firearms at all, but this is wishful thinking. We have relatively open borders with countries where old/unregistered firearms are common (this goes for most countries within the EU). I’ve recently learned that there is also a new thing where people modify ‘alarm’ pistols to be able to shoot live rounds. This came to light after a prominent journalist was shot dead in the street last year, where such a gun was used.
Hunting and sport weapons can be bought with a authorisation and background check.
Hunting weapons are quite common.
However caring a weapon (not while hunting or on a shooting range) is forbidden.
Easier than in many other countries, harder than in America. Clean record and prove of a hobby or need is basically enough. For certain guns the process takes longer.
It’s more difficult than getting a driving licence, with training and a psych examination, and then having a permit to own a gun allows you to own a gun, period. You have to keep it at home, in a locked box, and keep the bullets in a separate box. You have to be a member of a range, you can take your gun to that range and shoot there. That’s about all you can legally do with a gun as a civilian.
Hunting rifles and shotguns are relatively easy to procure. You must have a hunting license, be registered with a hunters’ association, pass a psychotechnic examination, and get a clean criminal record (it’s called “negative certification of criminal antecedents”).
As for handguns, that’s a different matter. You can only get a license for one of those if you are a member of the forces of security of the state (armed forces, civil guard, police forces), you have received credible and viable threats from armed groups, or you belong to a profession under serious risk of deadly force (think of jewellers, for example).
Shotguns: You need a Shotgun Certificate, which covers shotguns with a maximum capacity of three (2+1) rounds. They’re relatively easy to get, you just need a reason, safe storage and pass a police check.
Rifles: You need a Firearms Certificate (this also covers higher capacity shotguns). The application process is far stricter than for a Shotgun Certificate and the onus is on you to prove that you should have one, rather than for the police to prove that you shouldn’t. If you’re into deerstalking or target shooting you’re fine as long as your doctor/the police don’t think you’re a danger to others and you have adequate storage.
Handguns: Essentially no chance.
About as complicated as driving license. You do some theoretical exam and practical one and that’s it. plus some prerequisities like clean criminal register for some period (depending what latest entry is) and clearance from your GP.
Which is all more “complicated” comparing when I was asking for mine in 1994. You just go there and ask for one, no testing but paperwork was a bit more complex
If you are a sane adult with no record, etc.. it’s not that hard.
But there is no mainstream gun culture here, like in the usa. Noone is bragging about having a gun, or they risk being seen as either a derp or a psycho.
Here, you are a patriot if you climb our tallest mountain. Your friend tho, probably has a point with socioeconomic problems, but also mental health.. It must be very stressful to feel like you need guns to defend your home, or to protect yourself from the police and government, etc.
Romania: near impossible. And the vast majority like it this way, I don’t know a single person who would want easier access to weapons.
You can only obtain hunting rifles if you belong to a hunting club and there are a lot of conditions you must fulfil in order to be approved of one and the approval process takes months, maybe half a year.
Relatively difficult. As far as I know, England Scotland and wales all have the same rules. Self-defence isn’t a reason to get a gun, so theres basically zero chance at a handgun. Shotguns are easier to get, generally used by farmers, due to needing to protect against wildlife. Rifles are generally only available for hunters/hunting sport.
In Northern Ireland, I believe it is possible to get a handgun, as self-defence is an acceptable reason to get a gun, but only if there is a current risk to life.
Legally very hard and you need a reason to be approved to own a gun aside from hunting. Illegally very easy (anything from handguns to fully automatic assault rifles) to get a gun and very cheap if it has a lot of bodies on it.
Czech Republic it depends on the type of license you’re getting but overall it’s way more demanding than America. You need to pass
-A health exam (physical and psychological)
-An exam with a theoretical and practical components (safety and proficiency)
-Clean criminal record
-Must be legally declared “reliable” (basically don’t be a drug addict)
Costs at least a few thousand crowns for the whole process up to 5,000 CZK when you get all of the paperwork in order and pass all of the tests. Permits last 10 years and are reviewed after 5 years. Should also be noted that all tests are in Czech only. So if you aren’t competent in Czech, you’re not getting a gun.
The word I often see used is “relatively easy” and there are different ways to own a firearm but the procedure is basically the same
Licenses and the clearance for the purchase and possession of weapons can be released to adults that have passed a psycho-physical eligibility test, with requirements varying depending on the type of license (sporting, hunting and self defense), that have no impediments provided by law and that aren’t conscientious objectors, hunters must also pass a hunting qualification exam.
The self defense license is the hardest to get since it can only be released by the “Prefetto” for valid reasons. It is in fact the only license that allows the owner to carry their weapon outside their house and shooting range.
Both hunting and sporting licenses are valid for 5 years and allow to own 3 common, 12 sporting, an unlimited number of hunting firearms, 8 ancient or rare weapons and an unlimited number of blunt and bladed weapons. Ammunition is set to max 200 rounds for common weapons, 1500 for hunting weapons and 5kg of gunpowder; short weapons can have a max of 20 rounds magazines while long guns 10 round mags, though one can be allowed to have more.
The clearance instead is valid only for 30 days and allows to buy only the firearm/arms and ammunition prescribed but not to transport them.
Not as easy as elsewhere but not that hard. Medium difficulty might fit.
Make the hunting exam, buy insurance and a gunsafe (in which the weapon must be stored) let them inspect it and you can get the hunting lincense.
With that you can buy an unlimited amount of long guns and 2 handguns.
You could also go the sportshooter way but that means to practice for a year before you are allowed to own them. Also limited to 3 of each kind except you can proof that you need more for competitions.
Full automatics are banned tho. Surpressors are only available to hunters for long guns and (afaik) not in all states.
Most firerarms are completely banned. In general there are 3 types of guns you can own.
Double barell / lever action shotguns (max. 2 shell magazine). These are the easiest to obtain. All you need is to be a registered hunter with a valid shotgun licence. To get these you need a clean criminal record. Just about every family has at least one hunter.
Handguns. Very difficult to obtain since you need to have a serious reason. Also requires lots of paperwork and if I am not mistaken, police regularily needs to check on the status of the gun. I suppose owners are rare, limited to wealthy businessmen.
Assault rifle. While technically you can’t own one, anyone who has finished his national guard service (mandatory for every male over 17) is issued either a G3 or AK47 including ammo and other equipment like helmet etc.
I have yet to meet anyone who feels the need to own a gun for self defence, I think mainly because Cyprus is really safe with very low violent crime, but as you understand, most households already have hunting shotguns or military issued rifles at home, if not both, wich work just as well for home defence.
For bolt/lever action rifles and shotguns (excluding pump actions) you don’t need a permit, just go to your shop of choice, pick a gun and wait 3 days and it’s yours
For pistols and semi autos you need a permit
Once the war in Ukraine ends, it will become a lot easier, sadly
Edit: I’m talking about smuggling and illegal acquirements here.
Norway
Hunters exam lets you apply for 8 long guns, semi auto ok as Long as it comes with sub10rd mag, pistolgrip and stock is the the same part and top of barrel is not covered. So stock Ruger 10/22/Pc9 or FNAR tactical is ok but ar 15 is not. This requirment is just for semi autos, so you can have a PAR 10/15 no problem.
Sporting club membership for 6 months you can buy any handgun.
Sporting club membership for a year and 10 “competitons” you can buy ar 15 and such + drum mags.
Collector club membership is more work but allows you to buy anything, even machineguns.
The hunters exam and course can be done in about a week and is really simple. One can often take it as part of school in more rural aerias in grade 8-10.
Switzerland
* Be a citizen or foreigner with permanent residency
* Be at least 18 years old
* Have no convictions for violent crime on their record
* have no repeat conviction for nonviolent crime
Then you order a copy of your criminal record (either online or at the post office). Costs 20 CHF. With that you can buy Swiss ordnance manual repeaters (K11, K31, that kind of stuff), hunting rifles or mal repeating target rifles.
You can also fill out a form for one of a few different purchase permits (same function as the US form 4473), which will allow you to buy self-loading rifles and handguns up to and including select-fire rifles. Depending on the exact form there may or may not be magazine capacity restrictions and storage requirements.
They cost an additional 50 CHF or 100 CHF for the highest one (the one for select-fire firearms, explosives etc.).
As I remember it, gun repartition is not the same in Switzerland. A “few” people own the majority of the guns. Not as widespread as in the US.
To buy one it’ll take some time, but it’s not difficult or too costly compared to other hobbies at all aslong as you’re a healthy person with no convictions.
I’ve obtained my sport permit in 2020 so i have a first hand experience. An average person has no problems in obtaining a permit, it takes no less than 2,5 months and about 300€ to get a sport permit, a little more for hunting permit. Self defense, that allows you to conceal carry, are very hard to obtain. I live in central Italy, in the countryside, where hunting is common, and people rarely have problems with this level of control on hunting and sport permits.
– first step: your doctor writes a certificate that states you don’t have physical or psychological pathologies and you don’t take meds that can be a risk if you own firearms. (Free)
– second, the firearms safety course at a public owned shooting range. In my case it was a one morning long session of safety rules, carry/transport rules, purchase and storage rules, how to use long and short weapons, a practical exam of target shooting with a .22 carabina, a .22 handgun and a 12 gauge pump shotgun. You can fail the exam if you commit a major safety violation. (I paid 180€, that included a subscription to the public owned shooting range until the end of the year, mandatory insurances, weapons rent and ammunition. This certificate doesn’t expire). This certificate is enough to rent firearms at the shooting range without a permission.
– third, legal visit. A doctor checks your hearing and sight, balance and lack of medical problems. (Cost may vary but it’s no less than 50€ + 16€ tax stamp. This lasts 30 days, so if you don’t hurry up you need a new visit) some shooting ranges ask this visit before the safety course.
– fourth, you go to the local police station with two passport photos and the three certificates you got in the first 3 steps. They validate your pictures, it means that a public officer declares they recognised you as the person in the picture and they’re sure of your identity. Then you compile a module and add two 16€ tax stamps.
– the local Prefettura (police administrative and public security bureau) run the background check and have 60 days to accept, deny or ask you additional fulfillments. In my case they suspended the procedure for 30 days and asked me to install a wall mounted safety storage and at least one surveillance camera. I already had them, but they still took 30 additional days. I started in early July, was able to buy my first handgun in October.
– for hunting permit, before the fourth step there’s a specific exam on wild animals and hunting laws.
You can skip all these steps and ask a home defense permit, but you can’t transport or carry the firearm outside of your house and i don’t know how it works.
Very easy you just have to
a) prove that you have visited a gun range for about a year as a hobby (usually by using a gun owned by the club)
b) own enough land for hunting or belong to a hunting club that holds hunting permits
c) prove that you’re a collector and can provide suitable plan and place for a collection and sufficent expertise on firearms you’re about to collect
d) participate in a voluntary reservist group that allows for owning a full or a semi automatic rifle ie. an assault rifle
e) pass the mental and physical evaluation by a doctor and the police.
Self protection is not valid grounds for owning a gun and neither is “cause I like to shoot things when I feel like it” and ofc. automatic weapons unless for a very very specific collection are out of the question unless disabled.
Then there are some special things for pistols, like not allowed for under age 21 etc. due to school shootings.
The Switzerland argument is so stupid, because Switzerland still has higher rates of gun deaths than normal in Europe, and there is an overall correlation for European countries where if a country has a lot of firearms, it has a lot of firearm deaths.
American Socioeconomic problems drive mass shootings (and gun violence in general, which should be pointed out since most shootings aren’t mass shootings) but so does gun ownership rates and extremely lax gun laws
Well in Swiss they have to pass military service, so I think that teachs sonething to people.
Without going too deep in the details
– Join shooting range
– Shoot for 6 months
– Take a theorical test (relatively simple, pretty much to show you know what you can and can’t do with your guns)
– Take a practical test (to show you handle the weapons safely and know how to handle malfunctions in a safe manner)
After that you can get ask for a license for semi auto center fire weapons (you need to send a request every time you want to buy them, you can ask for multiple at once).
For .22lr guns and bolt/lever guns if you are a sport shooter you can get them directly without having to wait for papers.
So all in all it’ll take you 6 months minimum to be able to own a gun.
Relevant: https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/dz0dac/european_firearms/
Just to get a license it’s quite expensive and the processing is bad and slow, the firearms aren’t that expensive though.
I saw a few handguns in .17 caliber for a couple hundred euros.
Max allowed caliber is .22 in specific license types if memory serves me right.
Hunters and farmers might have an easier and cheaper way to get the license. Military, body guards, VIP, have easier access to firearms too.
I find it incredible that even airsoft is heavily regulated by the same government branch that regulates actual firearms.
Outside of hunting season, even shooting is restricted to a few places and shooting ranges are quite rare unless you can go inside some military bases that have them.
I like the way most US states process firearm ownership, if the person doesn’t have a record of certain crimes then said person should get whatever weapon they want, now, laws regarding what the citizen can have are stupid there, the barrel length and silencer restriction mainly.
Not hard but you need to pass psychological tests, and have training by an accredited organization which can take a while. Hunting rifles are the most common types of guns. I own several.
For pistols it’s a bit more complicated. The easiest way to get a pistol is to register in a shooting club but there are more restrictions on these kinds of guns. Not very familiar as I don’t own any.
Estonia
Shortly, getting concealed carry licence for single handgun is easier than getting passenger car (B-category) driving licence.
Licencing process:
1. Good reasoning: not needed (For gun licence you must tick “self defence” option box in application, you don’t have to explain or elaborate that),
2. Medical check: needed for both,
3. Police background check: something in both cases. No criminal conviction for gun, no recent severe traffic law violations for driving.
4. Certification of completed training: for driving licence required and quite expensive (1000+ EUR), not required for gun.
5. Examination fees: gun licence 30 EUR, driving licence 86 EUR.
6. Theoretical exam: needed for both. Gun licence: 10 questions with options, driving licence: 30 questions with options.
7. Practical test. Gun licence: take gun, do safety check, aim, put finger on the trigger, hit standstill target from 15m (handgun licence) with at least 2 bullets of 3, take finger off trigger, put safety on, do gun safety check, put gun away. Done with 5 minutes max. Driving licence: 45 minutes of driving in different situations.
​
Owning gun or car:
1. Guns (both used and new) are a lot cheaper than cars.
2. If you join volunteer military organization Estonian Defence League (Kaitseliit) you will get fully automatic assault rifle and storage locker to be installed to your home. In return you must participate on military training few times per year, make shooting test yearly, and pay organization membership fee 10 EUR/year.
I mean getting a gun of your own is quite hard but if you are a healthy adult male, you are constitutionally required to wave a gun for 6-12 months. And more if the Russians want a round 3.
Something similar like getting driver’s licence, you just need to be over 23.
You need:
1. Health check
2. Police background check
3. Attending gun courses and passing the police test
4. Get the safe at home
5. Get the permit
Owning (not service issue) semi and full automatic weapons are available only for soldiers and members of militia.
Members of sports or hunting clubs may get shotguns at younger age.