Gun control has always been a hotly debated topic, but many high-profile gun incidents have made headlines around the world. Mass shootings have taken over the news, and many have questioned whether countries like the U.S. should introduce gun controls to curb these instances of violence. The federal background check system also relies heavily on state reports, including some mental health history and criminal record data. Since states have their own tax issues to deal with or may simply ideologically resist the idea of background checks, state non-compliance can create another way in which the system can`t prevent someone who shouldn`t be buying a gun from getting one. For other types of firearms and ammunition, individuals must go through a rigorous licensing process. You`ll need to provide a “good reason” — such as job demands, sports, or shooting bugs — for owning a gun. Self-defense is not considered a good reason. Local police chiefs are expected to verify whether an applicant`s reasons for possessing a firearm are legitimate. For example, the police could see if a person really has insects in their home, to the point that it takes a certain type of weapon to deal with parasites. “I pray for the people of Copenhagen, Denmark,” Dr.

Willie Montague, a Republican candidate in Florida`s 10th congressional district, said on social media after the shooting in Denmark. “The prayer of the left is also waking up and realizing that mass shootings are not prevented by gun laws. Denmark makes it almost impossible to get a gun, but a mass shooting has just taken place there. Australia is another country with tragic gun laws. On 28 April 1996, a gunman killed 35 people in Port Arthur, a small town in south-eastern Tasmania (via Britannica). This shocking crime is the worst mass murder in modern Australian history and remains one of the worst mass shootings in the world. The perpetrator, Martin Bryant, was punished accordingly and sentenced to 35 life sentences, but the legal consequences went far beyond that. But an equally important problem is that the background check system is notoriously underfunded, understaffed, and underfunded, allowing red flags to get through. While there is no waiting period under federal law, an inconclusive review may be extended by three business days for further investigation. But those three days are a maximum for the government — and sometimes the three days go by without the FBI closing their check, and a buyer can buy a gun without the verification completed at that time. In neighboring Sweden, authorities have struggled with an increase in gun crime in recent years, despite similar laws. According to a report by ITV News London, Sweden recorded 342 shootings and 46 gun murders in 2021, an increase from 25 shootings in 2015.

Like Denmark and South Africa, Sweden`s gun laws have been found restrictive by GunPolicy.org. South Africa, Denmark and Sweden have battled a wave of gun violence and mass shootings despite strict gun control laws in all three countries. In addition to licensing requirements, Canadians can only obtain a licence to carry firearms in public in very limited circumstances – generally with the requirement that “a person requires restricted firearms or prohibited handguns to be used in the course of his or her lawful profession or occupation” or for the protection of his or her life. There are no such federal requirements in the United States, although some states impose certain restrictions or prohibitions on concealed and overt wearing. Of course, state laws vary widely. Some states restrict and prohibit certain types of firearms, particularly assault weapons. Some require certain licenses, registration or training to purchase and possess certain weapons. Several states prohibit or restrict open port, and many require permits for hidden port.

Some require background checks and permits for private sales, and others rely on their own background checks instead of the federal system. And many states are trying to make it as easy as possible to buy, possess and carry any type of weapon. (Slate has a good overview of the differences between state laws.) Private possession of firearms generally requires a licence, for which an applicant “must be at least 18 years of age, must not have been placed under guardianship, must not give rise to suspicion that he or she would endanger himself or herself or others with the weapon, and must not have a criminal record with a conviction for a violent crime or multiple convictions for non-violent crimes, “, according to the Library of Congress` review of Swiss firearms laws. The licence is valid for six to nine months and is usually only valid for one weapon. The Swiss have a unique relationship with firearms. For some, Switzerland`s gun laws may seem permissive, but the Alpine country`s gun policy has many restrictive nuances. Today, weapons are important for Swiss culture. The country`s 8.3 million people own around 2 million registered firearms, which is one of the highest ownership rates in Europe (via Business Insider/Vox Europ). As in Australia, prohibition coincided with a low level of gun violence in the Asian city-state. In fact, Singapore has one of the lowest gun violence in the world. From 2012 to 2019, there were only 10 firearm deaths (per GunPolicy.org).

The sudden wave of violence comes at the same time that several high-profile mass shootings have also rocked the United States, with many calling for increased gun regulation accordingly. The most well-known way to bypass background checks is the private sale gap: If someone buys a gun from a private seller, such as a friend or family member, a gun background check is not required. This is often mistakenly referred to as the gun show sales loophole, assuming that people can simply go to a gun show and buy a gun without getting a background check. But licensed dealers at arms shows still have to do a background check. The real loophole is that someone can meet a private salesperson at a gun show — or increasingly on the Internet — and buy a gun from that person without a background check. In other words, gun display does not create a loophole; The private seller does it. Many nations have so-called permissive laws. This means that authorities issue licenses on a basis to anyone who meets the country`s legal requirements.

Some countries have permissive gun laws, including: How gun control works: The UK maintains some of the strictest gun laws in the West and the world, which is why it also has some of the lowest rates of gun murder among developed countries.