So what have other countries done about gun violence?
Gun Control in Japan [source]
Data: gunpolicy.org
Ownership Rate: 0.6 firearms per 100 people (64th in the world)
Homicide Rate: 0.0 homicides per 100,000 people (11 total)
Japan's gun control laws are categorized as restrictive gun ownership is not a legally protected right. The Japanese employ a number of interesting and unique tactics to control the flow of firearms into the hands of the public. Japan has implemented a lengthy gun license application process, in which one must undergo extensive background checks, that cover both criminal and mental health records, firearms safety training, which tests an applicants theoretical knowledge, as well as their practical knowledge about how to safely handle firearms, and be able to prove that he or she has a legitimate reason to own a firearm, such as: hunting or target shooting (self-defense is not considered a legitimate reason). In addition, the applicant must be at least 18 years old and once one acquires a gun license, he or she must reapply every 3 years to continue to legally own firearms. Japan also maintains a universal gun registry, in which all firearm and ammunition purchases are tracked for all licensed gun owners.
After acquiring a license to own a firearm, there are still restrictions as to what types of firearms that one can legally own. Under current Japanese law, one may only own handguns or hunting guns (typically long-barreled rifles). Any other type of firearm is prohibited, including fully- and semi-automatic weapons. Open carry in public places is prohibited, but concealed carry is permitted, given special permission.
The penalty for illegal possession of a firearm is 15 years in prison.
Homicide Rate: 0.0 homicides per 100,000 people (11 total)
Japan's gun control laws are categorized as restrictive gun ownership is not a legally protected right. The Japanese employ a number of interesting and unique tactics to control the flow of firearms into the hands of the public. Japan has implemented a lengthy gun license application process, in which one must undergo extensive background checks, that cover both criminal and mental health records, firearms safety training, which tests an applicants theoretical knowledge, as well as their practical knowledge about how to safely handle firearms, and be able to prove that he or she has a legitimate reason to own a firearm, such as: hunting or target shooting (self-defense is not considered a legitimate reason). In addition, the applicant must be at least 18 years old and once one acquires a gun license, he or she must reapply every 3 years to continue to legally own firearms. Japan also maintains a universal gun registry, in which all firearm and ammunition purchases are tracked for all licensed gun owners.
After acquiring a license to own a firearm, there are still restrictions as to what types of firearms that one can legally own. Under current Japanese law, one may only own handguns or hunting guns (typically long-barreled rifles). Any other type of firearm is prohibited, including fully- and semi-automatic weapons. Open carry in public places is prohibited, but concealed carry is permitted, given special permission.
The penalty for illegal possession of a firearm is 15 years in prison.
Gun Control in Germany [source]
Data: gunpolicy.org
Ownership Rate: 30.3 firearms per 100 people (15th in the world)
Homicide Rate: 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people (154 total)
Germany's gun control laws are categorized as restrictive and gun ownership is not a protected right. The German's also employ a number of legal restrictions on gun ownership. Like in Japan, Germans must also acquire a license to own a firearm. The licensing procedure is a bit less strict compared to Japan. In order to acquire a license, one must be able to pass criminal and mental health background checks, pass firearm safety training that tests both theoretical and practical firearms knowledge, be at least 21 years old, and provide a legitimate reason for owning a firearm, such as: hunting, target shooting, collection, and personal protection (only in extreme circumstances).
Once a license is acquired, one can own pistols, revolvers, hunting and sport guns, and select semi-automatic weapons. All other firearms are prohibited. In addition, German law also stipulates that one can only own ammunition for the types of firearms that are registered to that person. Germany also maintains a universal gun registry, in which all firearm and ammunition purchases are tracked for all licensed gun owners. Open carry of firearms, but not concealed carry, is permitted in Germany, but only with special permission.
The penalty for illegal possession of a firearm is 20 years in prison.
Homicide Rate: 0.2 homicides per 100,000 people (154 total)
Germany's gun control laws are categorized as restrictive and gun ownership is not a protected right. The German's also employ a number of legal restrictions on gun ownership. Like in Japan, Germans must also acquire a license to own a firearm. The licensing procedure is a bit less strict compared to Japan. In order to acquire a license, one must be able to pass criminal and mental health background checks, pass firearm safety training that tests both theoretical and practical firearms knowledge, be at least 21 years old, and provide a legitimate reason for owning a firearm, such as: hunting, target shooting, collection, and personal protection (only in extreme circumstances).
Once a license is acquired, one can own pistols, revolvers, hunting and sport guns, and select semi-automatic weapons. All other firearms are prohibited. In addition, German law also stipulates that one can only own ammunition for the types of firearms that are registered to that person. Germany also maintains a universal gun registry, in which all firearm and ammunition purchases are tracked for all licensed gun owners. Open carry of firearms, but not concealed carry, is permitted in Germany, but only with special permission.
The penalty for illegal possession of a firearm is 20 years in prison.
Gun Control in Switzerland [source]
Data: gunpolicy.org
Ownership Rate: 45.7 firearms per 100 people (3rd in the world)
Homicide Rate: 0.52 homicides per 100,000 people (40 total)
Firearm regulation legislation in Switzerland is categorized as restrictive, but ownership is a protected right, just like in the United States. The Swiss government employs a number of interesting restrictions and systems for regulating the distribution of firearms in their country. The licensing process is almost identical to that in Germany; in order to acquire a license, one must be able to pass criminal and mental health background checks, pass firearm safety training that tests both theoretical and practical firearms knowledge, be at least 18 years old, and provide a legitimate reason for owning a firearm, such as: hunting, target shooting, collection, and personal protection. A licensed gun owner is required to reapply for a license every 5 years.
Once a license is acquired, one can own pistols, revolvers, hunting and sport guns, and semi-automatic weapons. All other firearms are prohibited. However, some manual repetition rifles, for sport and hunting, may be owned without a license. Switzerland also maintains a universal gun registry, in which all firearm and ammunition purchases are tracked for all licensed gun owners. Both open carry of firearms and concealed carry are permitted in Switzerland, but only with a valid license. Additionally, a concealed carry license is only granted when proof of genuine need or danger, following more mental health and criminal background checks.
The penalty for illegal possession of a firearm is up to 3 years in prison.
Homicide Rate: 0.52 homicides per 100,000 people (40 total)
Firearm regulation legislation in Switzerland is categorized as restrictive, but ownership is a protected right, just like in the United States. The Swiss government employs a number of interesting restrictions and systems for regulating the distribution of firearms in their country. The licensing process is almost identical to that in Germany; in order to acquire a license, one must be able to pass criminal and mental health background checks, pass firearm safety training that tests both theoretical and practical firearms knowledge, be at least 18 years old, and provide a legitimate reason for owning a firearm, such as: hunting, target shooting, collection, and personal protection. A licensed gun owner is required to reapply for a license every 5 years.
Once a license is acquired, one can own pistols, revolvers, hunting and sport guns, and semi-automatic weapons. All other firearms are prohibited. However, some manual repetition rifles, for sport and hunting, may be owned without a license. Switzerland also maintains a universal gun registry, in which all firearm and ammunition purchases are tracked for all licensed gun owners. Both open carry of firearms and concealed carry are permitted in Switzerland, but only with a valid license. Additionally, a concealed carry license is only granted when proof of genuine need or danger, following more mental health and criminal background checks.
The penalty for illegal possession of a firearm is up to 3 years in prison.