Sampling of gun laws in other countries

A sampling of gun laws in other countries:

GERMANY:

Requires license to obtain and use firearms and stipulates a check on the "reliability and suitability" of holders at least once every three years. Under-25s must undergo psychological screening. Buyers must justify why they need a gun.

Would-be buyers of recreational firearms must produce proof of regular membership in shooting club for at least one year. Legal age for owning recreational firearms is 21. That was raised from 18 in 2002, the year an alienated former pupil killed a dozen teachers and four others at a high school in Erfurt.

Hunters require a special hunting certificate to obtain arms.

SWITZERLAND:

Switzerland has strict rules for obtaining firearms, although there are hundreds of thousands of assault rifles, carbines and handguns in the homes of active and retired army members, who are on standby for national militia.

Requirements for obtaining handguns vary from one canton (state) to another. Under federal law, any person 19 or older can buy a gun, if they can obtain gun ownership certificate which is issued only to people without a police record. Gun dealers decide whether potential buyer poses threat to himself or others. Buyers must justify why they need a gun. Hunting, sports and self-defense are acceptable reasons.

ITALY:

Local authorities issue permits to bear arms. Validity periods and procedures vary depending on whether the permit is for self-defense, sport, hunting or collecting.

All requests must be accompanied by medical certificate showing the applicant is sound in mind and body. If the permit is for self-defense, the request must be based on a valid reason to bear arms.

BRITAIN:

The government bans semiautomatic rifles and handguns. These bans do not include deactivated handguns or replica handguns, but the 2006 Violent Crime Reduction Act made it illegal to buy sell or manufacture "a realistic imitation firearm." Owning guns for self-defense is not permitted.

AUSTRALIA:

In 1996 reforms led to uniform gun laws across all states of Australia that include: tougher licensing, registration of all guns, removal of guns from domestic violence offenders, and a ban on semi-automatic rifles and shotguns.

Gun ownership for self-defense is not legal. Civilian gun ownership is only valid for hunting, target sports, historical collection or occupational need.

A person must be at least 18 and undertake adequate safety training to purchase a firearm. The waiting period is not less than 28 days, and the license is issued for no more than five years.

SOUTH AFRICA:

The minimum age for gun possession is 21.

To obtain a gun, the applicant needs to obtain a competency certificate, showing they can use a firearm safely and are not a threat to the public, then they may apply for a firearms license for a specific gun they wish to obtain. That gun is registered with the police before it is transferred to the applicant based on a number of conditions.

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Sources: Associated Press staff for Germany, Switzerland and Italy. The International Action Network on Small Arms for Britain, Australia and South Africa.