# Does anywhere have laxer gun laws than the US? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 13, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498 "2019-04-13T15:17:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/1 "2019-04-13T15:17:11Z")
So the US has famously lax gun laws, as viewed from the rest of the “western” world. But it does have some, automatic weapons for example are effectively banned (the [details](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Firearms_Act) are complicated) Does any country have laxer laws on the ownership of private firearms? I don’t mean state-owned firearms, so countries where conscripts are required to take their rifles home (such Switzerland and Israel, IIRC) don’t count. Likewise for countries that have gun laws but they aren’t actually enforced (along with any other laws) so weapons are widespread (e.g. Somalia or Syria) I remember reading somewhere that the occupying powers in Iraq allowed one AK-47 per-household (presumably military full-automatic ones, not the semi-automatic variant that are legal in the US), was that actually codified in a law, or just military policy during the occupation? ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/2 "2019-04-13T15:27:22Z")
Somalia comes to mind ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/3 "2019-04-13T15:46:19Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > Somalia comes to mind Is that actually the case? I can’t find a cite, but I would have thought Somalia would have typical post-colonial Italian style gun laws (as a former Italian colony). But hasn’t had a government capable of enforcing them (or any other law) for decades. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/4 "2019-04-13T15:53:52Z")
How about Argentina and other South American countries? ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/5 "2019-04-13T16:01:24Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > How about Argentina and other South American countries? Can’t see any information on ownership of automatic weapons but they do require a permit to own a weapon, so not as lax as the US: [https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/amphtml/2002/0422/p06s02-woam.html](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/amphtml/2002/0422/p06s02-woam.html) ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/6 "2019-04-13T16:07:44Z")
Mabe not as good as ours but the [Czech Republics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_Czech_Republic) laws are much looser than certainly most of other European countries. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/7 "2019-04-13T19:39:17Z")
Per [Wiki:](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overview_of_gun_laws_by_nation) > [@](#): > > Many countries have restrictive firearm policies, while a few have permissive ones.[1][2] The only countries with permissive gun legislation are: Albania, Austria, Chad, Republic of Congo, Honduras, Micronesia, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Switzerland,[3][better source needed] Tanzania, the United States, Yemen and Zambia, although several other countries like Canada and the Czech Republic, despite theoretically being restrictive, are shall-issue countries. > [@](#): > > Guns laws are considered permissive in countries where the authorities will provide a firearm license on a shall issue basis to ordinary citizens who meet the legal requirements. Guns laws are restrictive when licenses are provided on a may issue basis, at the discretion of the regulating authority, often requiring the applicant to demonstrate a reason why they need a firearm. Gun laws are considered strict when it is difficult or impossible for an ordinary citizen to obtain a firearm through legal means. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/8 "2019-04-13T19:47:25Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Per [Wiki:](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overview_of_gun_laws_by_nation) > Guns laws are considered permissive in countries where the authorities will provide a firearm license on a shall issue basis to ordinary citizens who meet the legal requirements. Guns laws are restrictive when licenses are provided on a may issue basis, at the discretion of the regulating authority, often requiring the applicant to demonstrate a reason why they need a firearm. Gun laws are considered strict when it is difficult or impossible for an ordinary citizen to obtain a firearm through legal means. But that definition of “permissive” is still stricter than the US. The US does NOT require a license to own private firearm (except for small number of restricted types of guns, like machine guns). ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/9 "2019-04-13T20:17:42Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > But that definition of “permissive” is still stricter than the US. The US does NOT require a license to own private firearm (except for small number of restricted types of guns, like machine guns). It’s not really a direct comparison. You seem to be only counting federal laws. Like with many things the laws governing guns are more often at the state level. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/10 "2019-04-13T20:26:37Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It’s not really a direct comparison. You seem to be only counting federal laws. Like with many things the laws governing guns are more often at the state level. Only 3 states require a license for gun ownership (and I wouldn’t put money on those laws surviving the current make up of the supreme court) I’d say its perfectly accurate to say the US does not require a license to own a gun. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/11 "2019-04-13T20:28:46Z")
I’m really not sure if lax is the word I’d use. We have plenty of laws regarding firearms, who can and cannot possess them, what type are legal or illegal to own, what can be done with a firearm and what cannot be done. Unfortunately we also have criminals in this country who quite frankly don’t give a rat’s ass about the law, gun related or not. But we thankfully also have tens of millions (if not hundreds of millions) of law abiding firearm owners. Laws have never really been a problem here, those willing to break the law have always been a problem. ---
**Author:** ![EdelweissPirate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@EdelweissPirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdelweissPirate)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/12 "2019-04-13T22:13:00Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Unfortunately we also have criminals in this country who quite frankly don’t give a rat’s ass about the law, gun related or not. How is that different than anywhere else? By definition, criminals are indifferent (or worse) to the laws they break. Are you imaging that other countries have law-abiding criminals? What would that even mean? > [@obbn](#): > > Laws have never really been a problem here, those willing to break the law have always been a problem. Again, I’m not quite sure what you’re trying to say here. Is it that crime is committed by criminals? That seems so trivial that you must be saying something else. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/13 "2019-04-13T22:17:11Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Unfortunately we also have criminals in this country who quite frankly don’t give a rat’s ass about the law, gun related or not. But we thankfully also have tens of millions (if not hundreds of millions) of law abiding firearm owners. > > Laws have never really been a problem here, those willing to break the law have always been a problem. **Moderator Note** This being GQ, let’s not hijack this into a discussion of gun control. No warning issued, but let’s just discuss the laws. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/14 "2019-04-13T22:19:05Z")
> [@EdelweissPirate](#): > > How is that different than anywhere else? By definition, criminals are indifferent (or worse) to the laws they break. > > Are you imaging that other countries have law-abiding criminals? What would that even mean? > > Again, I’m not quite sure what you’re trying to say here. Is it that crime is committed by criminals? That seems so trivial that you must be saying something else. **Moderating** I don’t think we need to follow this tangent in GQ. Instructions to everyone: There is no need to further address **obbn’s** post here. If you want to discuss aspects of it, take it to GD. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Grim\_Render](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@Grim\_Render](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grim_Render)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/15 "2019-04-13T22:25:34Z")
There is an area of Norway where carrying a gun is compulsory. Preferably a rifle. 7,62 mm minimum caliber. If the weapon is a handgun, it must be a 44 or higher caliber. Not sure if that counts as “lax” though. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/16 "2019-04-13T22:35:34Z")
> [@Grim\_Render](#): > > There is an area of Norway where carrying a gun is compulsory. Preferably a rifle. 7,62 mm minimum caliber. If the weapon is a handgun, it must be a 44 or higher caliber. > > Not sure if that counts as “lax” though. Can you give a cite for that. Wikipedia says "_Gun ownership is restricted in Norway, unless one has officially documented a use for the gun. By far the most common grounds for civilian ownership are hunting and sports shooting, in that order. Other needs can include special guard duties or self-defense, but the first is rare unless the person shows identification confirming that he or she is a trained guard or member of a law-enforcement agency."_ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/17 "2019-04-13T22:41:49Z")
I know [this video and article](http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2015/07/06/video-the-only-place-on-earth-where-guns-are-mandatory/) make such a claim about Svalbard Island, but neither [Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard) nor the island’s [home page](https://en.visitsvalbard.com/) seem to mention this law. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/18 "2019-04-13T23:24:38Z")
[From the Governor of Svalbard Island:](https://www.sysselmannen.no/en/Shortcuts/Firearms/) > [@](#): > > Due to the polar bear danger in Svalbard, any person travelling outside the settlements shall be equipped with appropriate means of frightening and chasing off polar bears. We also recommend to carry firearms outside the settlements. , also > [@](#): > > Carrying loaded firearms within settlement areas in Longyearbyen is prohibited. The firearm must be visibly empty of ammunition. > It is also prohibited to carry firearms in public buildings or shops. Several of the shops in Longyearbyen have special security cabinets in which the weapon can be stored. > The firing of rifles or other firearms in Longyearbyen and nearby area is prohibited. You can find a map of the “no shooting zone” here. > The Governor has decided guidelines for firearms and scare devices for protection against polar bears. so, gun carrying in the areas listed isn’t even mandatory-it’s just recommended. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/19 "2019-04-14T00:57:27Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Only 3 states require a license for gun ownership (and I wouldn’t put money on those laws surviving the current make up of the supreme court) I’d say its perfectly accurate to say the US does not require a license to own a gun. See you can’t get hung up on the language because even that is hard to compare. My state of New Jersey is recognized as having some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country. You don’t need a license. You do need a firearms purchasers ID card to do just about anything gun related. It’s also legal to get a concealed carry permit but in reality it’s basically impossible to get. In 51 years of life and 21 years as a cop I’ve never met anyone who can carry legally who isn’t a cop or retired cop. Not requiring a “license” doesn’t mean there are no restrictions. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498/20 "2019-04-14T01:47:52Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > See you can’t get hung up on the language because even that is hard to compare. My state of New Jersey is recognized as having some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country. You don’t need a license. You do need a firearms purchasers ID card to do just about anything gun related. It’s also legal to get a concealed carry permit but in reality it’s basically impossible to get. In 51 years of life and 21 years as a cop I’ve never met anyone who can carry legally who isn’t a cop or retired cop. Not requiring a “license” doesn’t mean there are no restrictions. I know one. A woman, old college friend, who is a prosecutor. She prosecuted some bad guys, got lots of threats, credible enough so that she was issued a permit. As far as I know, she no longer feels the need to carry a gun, but she did for a while. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anywhere-have-laxer-gun-laws-than-the-us/832498.md?page=2)