These laws can be classified by country according to some specific common characteristics: Historically and legally, EU member states have their own laws that differ from country to country, which has led to differences in the scope of legal access to firearms between EU countries. Firearms laws in Israel are comprehensive, although soldiers are allowed to carry their service weapons on or off duty. Civilians must be able to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearms licence. In 2018, Israel significantly eased firearms restrictions so that all citizens who had completed combat training and qualified for advanced infantry training (“Rifleman “07”) could apply for a private handgun license. [240] In 2019, the UAE government relaxed its gun laws. The minimum age to own firearms has been lowered from 25 to 21, while legal owners can now own up to three firearms. People from other countries are not allowed to apply for licenses at all. Some of the most popular purposes for owning them include hunting and trapping. The Philippines generally has strict gun laws, although they are liberal compared to other Asia-Pacific countries due to their active gun culture. Philippine gun control became notorious in 1972 under President Ferdinand Marcos, who introduced a virtual ban on all civilian weapons. Current firearms laws in the Philippines are outlined in Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition Act, which was enacted in 2013.
To own a firearm, a citizen must obtain a licence to possess and possess firearms (LTOPF). Applicants must meet the following requirements: (a) not have been convicted of a crime involving moral upheaval; (b) has passed the psychiatric test conducted by a psychologist or psychiatrist accredited by the PNP; (c) has passed a drug test conducted by an accredited and approved laboratory or clinic; (d) has successfully completed a weapons safety seminar organized by the PNP or a registered and authorized weapons club; (e) has made a written request for possession of a registered firearm, indicating the applicant`s personal circumstances; (f) present a police certificate issued by the police service of the city or municipality; and (g) has not been convicted or is currently charged in criminal proceedings pending in court for an offence punishable by more than two (2) years. [267] Firearms regulation in Switzerland is relatively liberal. [311] Swiss arms law primarily concerns the acquisition of weapons, not possession. Such a licence is not required to own a firearm yourself, but a licence is required to purchase most types of firearms. Bolt-action rifles do not require a purchase permit and can only be purchased with a background check. [312] The laws of some countries may grant civilians the right to own and bear arms and have more liberal gun laws than neighboring jurisdictions. Countries that regulate access to firearms generally restrict access to certain categories of firearms and then restrict the categories of persons who may hold a permit to access those firearms. There may be separate licenses for hunting, sport shooting (also known as target shooting), self-defense, gathering and secret carrying with different requirements, permits and responsibilities. Jamaica`s firearms laws are set out in the Firearms Act and regulated by the Firearms Licensing Authority. [195] Applicants must pass a police background check and go through a certification process to obtain a firearms licence for shotguns, handguns and rifles. Shotguns and rifles for hunting or sporting purposes are easier to obtain than handguns.
Fully automatic weapons are prohibited. Handguns are limited to those below .45 caliber for revolvers or 10mm for pistols. The purchase of ammunition is limited to 250 rounds per year for shotguns and 50 rounds for handguns, with requests for additional ammunition generally accepted during the hunting season. A firearms safe is required to store all firearms and ammunition. [196] Once a licence is obtained, no additional authorization is required to carry a firearm openly or secretly, unless the carrying of firearms has been temporarily prohibited under section 22 of the Act. [197] Pakistan has permissive gun laws compared to the rest of South Asia and has the sixth largest number of private guns in the world. Laws regulate the carrying of weapons in public in most urban areas. Private weapons are prohibited in educational institutions, hostels, boarding houses and accommodations, fairs, gatherings or parades of a political, religious, ceremonial or sectarian character, as well as on the premises of courts or public offices.
[266] Pakistani law does not prescribe whether gun licenses must be refused or revoked, and a license allows possession of an unlimited number of weapons, including handguns of any size and fully automatic weapons. Guns are traditionally an important part of rural life in the northwestern regions, where it is not uncommon for people to legally carry RPGs and assault rifles. [ref. needed] The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska have relatively strict firearms laws compared to the rest of Europe. Weapons are regulated by the Arms and Ammunition Act. [24] Persons over the age of 21 may apply for a permit. Individuals with a history of criminal activity, mental disorder, alcohol or drug use will be denied permission. There is also a thorough background check where neighbours and family are interviewed, and the candidate must take a course and pass a multiple-choice exam. The police have the final say in this matter, with a call to a possible police captain. Firearms must be stored in a “safe place” inside a home and can be confiscated by police if the owner is deemed “irresponsible”. Concealed wearing is permitted with a permit.
Pepper spray can be worn by women if they are registered with the police. [ref. needed] Weapons laws in Hungary are relatively strict and are governed by Law 24/2004,[345] Government Decision 253/2004. (VIII. 31.) and Directive of the Minister of the Interior 49/2004. The law defines a firearm with a muzzle energy greater than 7.5 joules (5.5 ft.5 ft.). A firearms licence may be issued to persons over 18 years of age who do not have a criminal conviction or intellectual disability and who have passed a basic firearms theory or practical test. Three categories of possession of firearms are allowed: hunting (firearms limited to bolt-action shots and double-barreled rifles), sport shooting (the only restriction is not for fully automatic firearms), self-defence (special permission from the police, very rarely granted in special cases, e.g. owners of gun shops).
Sport shooting has gained popularity in recent years, with the number of sports category licenses issued steadily increasing. Government initiatives to popularize shooting sports, such as building shooting ranges and introducing shooting as a sport into the school system, began slowly. Obtaining (and maintaining) a firearms licence is generally expected to be a slow and somewhat inexpensive process, but once a licence is granted and the required annual memberships are paid, annual medical certificates are obtained, and mandatory 2-3 sporting events are attended (for sport shooters), Ownership is quite liberal in terms of the type of firearm one can own. Liberia permits the possession of single-barrelled shotguns for hunting purposes only. Private security agencies are prohibited from arming their employees. However, some criminals have automatic firearms, especially the AK-47. These are believed to be remnants of the country`s decades-long civil war. Automatic weapons are also likely to cross the country`s porous borders into Guinea, Côte d`Ivoire and Sierra Leone. These countries have more liberal gun ownership laws. All of Liberia`s neighbours have experienced some form of armed conflict over the past two decades, flooding them with illegal automatic weapons.
The Emergency Response Unit, the only armed unit of the Liberian National Police, responds to armed incidents, particularly armed robberies. However, the laws and regulations governing the carrying and possession of firearms for hunters, snipers, collectors and for the import and export of weapons differ from one region to another in Belgium; A valid license is almost always required. Edged weapons, airsoft weapons, paintball guns and deactivated weapons do not require a permit or license and can be purchased for free. Irish gun laws are strict and require that all firearms be subject to an individual licence issued by the Gardaí (police). Applicants must be 16 years of age and have a good reason for possession, a safe place to store firearms, proof of competency with the firearm or arrangements to obtain one, have access to medical records and two character references, and be of sound mind and moderate habits.