I saw a Luger (P.08) in a shop in Munich in the '80s. Many popular handguns are made in Europe. Who’s allowed to own handguns in European countries?
There’s huge variation between countries. Switzerland is at one end of the spectrum, with most people able to acquire guns with ease: Firearms regulation in Switzerland - Wikipedia
On the other end of the scale, Britain has a complete ban on modern handguns: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearms_(Amendment)_(No._2)_Act_1997
In Germany the general rules are that you have to be 18 years old (21 for many types of firearms,) you have to prove your knowledge of arms and the relevant laws and you need liability insurance up to EUR 1 000 000. In addition to that you have to meet certain criteria regarding your “reliability” and “aptitude” (no convicted felon, not under tutelage, no addictions, no indications that you plan to use the gun in an irresponsible way…)
Usually the most interesting requirement is that you have to show a specific need for a gun and that the gun in question is appropriate for that. Persons with such a need are:
[ul]
[li]Licenced hunters[/li][li]Weapons experts and manufacturers[/li][li]Sport shooters in a club in a recognized association[/li][li]Certain security guards[/li][li]Especially endangered persons (interpreted restrictively)[/li][li]Collectors with an historically significant collection (generally doesn’t include the right to buy ammunition)[/li][li](longarms only: Members of traditional militias)[/li][/ul]