Originally Posted by Copperfield

How do you propose administering these limits? Will you be going door to door and holding inspections? Will punishing responsible gun owners make you feel better? Safer? When your government strafes a few women and children in a far away land, do you care as much? Will the government be held to the same lofty standards?

Maybe this is part of the problem.

Our government does kill innocent women and children, then calls it collateral damage. I care a hell of a lot about these murders. We cry and we grieve, as we should, over these beautiful lives that were slaughtered at Sandy Hook. But how many of us grieve the deaths from our drones in other countries?

I don't want to take away your guns. I want an end to the mentality that a stock pile of weapons is somehow making us safer. Many citizens have become like our government, they want an over abundance of weapons that makes them feel stronger and safer.

What's next, a collection of mini drones?

Originally Posted by Semo '75

Actually, there's something that would be fairly simple to do that we refuse to try.

Not turning these killers into rockstars would be a good start. That would mean not plastering their faces on every newspaper, news website, and television news program. That would mean not making interactive timelines or sophisticated computerized reenactments with action movie music. That would mean not inviting the nation to scrutinize the killer's mp3 collection, his favorite movies, his favorite computer games, his home life, or what someone he went to grade school with has to say about him. That would mean not blaring whatever half-assed deep thoughts he might have left behind through the mass media megaphone.

That's something we might consider trying.

Similar sentiments from the owner of Classic Firearms. He has shipped me a weapon or two over the years. He is good people.

Like many others across the country our hearts are broken at the terrible tragedy that has taken place in Newtown Connecticut. The killing of those so innocent is almost beyond our ability to comprehend, and like the rest of the nation we have cried, asked why, and continue to grieve and pray for those families that have no doubt been so horribly affected by this senseless slaughter.

In our opinion this is a time to come together as a nation to grieve for the victims and to pray for the comfort of their families. It is not a time to play off of the tragedy to promote a political agenda. Unfortunately the media, and the current administration will not allow those of us in the shooting sports community to grieve unguarded.

Just A Couple Of Points

Almost from the first reports of this tragedy many in the media took to the airways to demand more restrictive gun control. For the most part the people who are leading this charge have never fired a weapon, have never been a part of the shooting culture, and are unable to explain to me how further restrictions on honest Americans would have prevented this tragedy. I watched an ABC anchor who could not even pronounce the name of the weapon he was discribing, nor explain the caliber or function of the firearm properly, strongly imply that we needed to get rid of these weapons. Make no mistake, the media is using this to promote their own left wing agenda.

I am offended by biased reporting, and I am further offended that we who believe in the Second Amendment are forced to defend our rights at a time of such heartache. It is a no win situation thrust upon us which can then be used to demonize us and call us insensitive. The anti-gunners know this and use it to their advantage.

Secondly, Stop calling the monster that did this the shooter. It is far too dignified. I am a shooter. I was raised in a household that always had firearms and held them, and the responsibility that came along with owning and using them responsibly, in very high esteem. I have been part of the shooting community for over 30 years. Gun owners are responsible, God fearing, family oriented individuals who raise respectful children, love their neighbors, hold down jobs, pay their taxes, contribute to charity, believe in the sanctity of life, and treat others with respect and dignity.

They are hard working assetts to society and they are the finest people I know. These shooters do not deserve to be lumped in with the individual that committed this horrible act. Let's start referring to him as what he was...

A cowardly child murderer.

This guy in Connecticut, The Columbine Duo, The Aurora Movie Theater gunman, and unfortunately the list goes on.

None of these were a part of the shooting community. In fact, they never are. They are outcast, troubled individuals who cry out for attention and I have no doubt that if they could not obtain a gun they would use a machete, set off a bomb, or drive a car through a crowd, all in a sick grab for attention or to somehow feel important or immortalized.

The thing we can do is stop glorifying thieir actions through our media coverage and giving excessive press attention to these sick murdering scum in a chase for ratings. Also, when we do have to refer to them, refer to them as what they are. Yes they may be "sick " or "picked on ' or social outcast, but when they cross the line they are murdering scum and should not be given the pleasure of the media attention their sick minds desire.

Oh Well, I've been on my soapbox too long

In conclussion, I do not have the answers. As a parent I can only imagine the pain these victims families are suffering and I have literally cried along with them. Rick and I have talked about this and if we honestly thought that pulling guns from the market would in any way stop incidence such as this from happening we would close the doors tomorrow and walk away.

Unfortunately I am convinced that what we have is a cultural problem, not a gun problem.
I am also convinced that our second amendment freedoms are the greatest safeguard we have in protecting all of our other freedoms and even our way of life as Americans. When they succeed in taking our guns, I am convinced that our other liberties will soon follow. Then we all lose.

Please continue to pray for our country, pray for our leaders, and pray for those families who have lost so much in Newtown Connecticut.

Originally Posted by Deb C

Maybe this is part of the problem.

Our government does kill innocent women and children, then calls it collateral damage. I care a hell of a lot about these murders. We cry and we grieve, as we should, over these beautiful lives that were slaughtered at Sandy Hook. But how many of us grieve the deaths from our drones in other countries?

I don't want to take away your guns. I want an end to the mentality that a stock pile of weapons is somehow making us safer. Many citizens have become like our government, they want an over abundance of weapons that makes them feel stronger and safer.

What's next, a collection of mini drones?

How many weapons constitutes a "stock pile" Deb? How do you define "safe" Deb? Safe from whom?

One could also say that many citizens are becoming like our government, they want to legislate every detail and aspect of life and especially to punish the innocent just to make themselves feel stronger and safer.

In my household, I take personal responsibility for providing safety to my family. How about you Deb? What do you do to keep your family safe? Vote? Pay taxes? Sign petitions? Demand legislation?

How heroic.

---

There are 310 million firearms in America – almost one for every man, woman, and child. Yet we still are seeing incredible amounts of gun violence. Obvious solution: more guns.

Originally Posted by Semo '75

Actually, there's something that would be fairly simple to do that we refuse to try.

Not turning these killers into rockstars would be a good start. That would mean not plastering their faces on every newspaper, news website, and television news program. That would mean not making interactive timelines or sophisticated computerized reenactments with action movie music. That would mean not inviting the nation to scrutinize the killer's mp3 collection, his favorite movies, his favorite computer games, his home life, or what someone he went to grade school with has to say about him. That would mean not blaring whatever half-assed deep thoughts he might have left behind through the mass media megaphone.

uhhh...you do know that morgan freeman "quote" circulating on facebook was a hoax, right?

i think this argument is a smokescreen. the problem *does* boil down to the easy availability of high-powered weapons in this society and the reluctance of too many people to do something about it.

so instead we talk obliquely about censoring the media. i hope that is not what you are suggesting, semo '75.

Originally Posted by Copperfield

How many weapons constitutes a "stock pile" Deb? How do you define "safe" Deb? Safe from whom?

One could also say that many citizens are becoming like our government, they want to legislate every detail and aspect of life and especially to punish the innocent just to make themselves feel stronger and safer.

In my household, I take personal responsibility for providing safety to my family. How about you Deb? What do you do to keep your family safe? Vote? Pay taxes? Sign petitions? Demand legislation?

How heroic.

and you are not only delusional but grandiose.

Originally Posted by Deb C

---

There are 310 million firearms in America – almost one for every man, woman, and child. Yet we still are seeing incredible amounts of gun violence. Obvious solution: more guns.

Would you care to make a constructive comment now?

Originally Posted by B Butler

I'd like a real answer, which means one that can be implemented. There are a lot of conflicting values, any one of which might compel some group deeply involved in the problem to put their feet down.

Dishonoring the perp's body, as in your pickup truck drag, is another non starter. It seems to me that you are less interested in something real that might improve the situation than your own sick violent daydreams. I'm associating your mentality closer to the shooter's than anyone else involved.

If you're looking for the answer, you're not going to find the answer because there isn't a perfect answer. School security is an answer, social awareness is an answer, social involvement is an answer, addressing loopholes in gun laws is an answer and not turning these things into a media frenzy or a spectacle is answer and lowering the bar as far as psycological testing ect is an answer. Associating my mentality as being similiar with his is a huge mistake on your behalf. My mentality would have moved me towards him and brought me into direct conflict with him. And god willing, my mentality would have countered his mentality, prevailed and put an end to the senseless slaughter.

Originally Posted by the bouncer

and you are not only delusional but grandiose.

And you are an idiot and a follower*. I congratulate you on those accomplishments. I have no doubt you worked hard to achieve them.

*to her credit these are things we can't say about Deb.

Originally Posted by B Butler

Would you care to make a constructive comment now?

Sometimes pictures are worth a million words.

Originally Posted by B Butler

Would you care to make a constructive comment now?

The following probably won't be much to your liking as well because it says something about our violence as a nation.

Remember the 20 children who died in Newton Connecticut.


Parishioners pay their respects to the victims of an elementary school shooting while arriving for mass at St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, Conn., Dec. 16. (Photo: Emmanuel Dunand / AFP - Getty Images)

Remember the 35 children who died in Gaza this month from Israeli bombardments.

Remember the 168 children who have been killed by US drone attacks in Pakistan since 2006.

Remember the 231 children killed in Afghanistan in the first 6 months of this year.

Remember the 400 other children in the US under the age of 15 who die from gunshot wounds each year.

Remember the 921 children killed by US air strikes against insurgents in Iraq.

Remember the 1,770 US children who die each year from child abuse and maltreatment.

Remember the 16,000 children who die each day around the world from hunger.

These tragedies must end.

Originally Posted by Copperfield

And you are an idiot and a follower*. I congratulate you on those accomplishments. I have no doubt you worked hard to achieve them.

*to her credit these are things we can't say about Deb.

a "follower" of what?

you're actually the one giving the knee-jerk responses here.

no originality whatsoever.

but i do understand that you're on the defensive here. and you should be.

Originally Posted by Deb C

Maybe this is part of the problem.

Our government does kill innocent women and children, then calls it collateral damage. I care a hell of a lot about these murders. We cry and we grieve, as we should, over these beautiful lives that were slaughtered at Sandy Hook. But how many of us grieve the deaths from our drones in other countries?

I don't want to take away your guns. I want an end to the mentality that a stock pile of weapons is somehow making us safer. Many citizens have become like our government, they want an over abundance of weapons that makes them feel stronger and safer.

What's next, a collection of mini drones?

What's the threat of having multiple guns locked up safe in a cabinet? His guns, my guns and the vast majority of gunowners guns aren't the issue at play here. The issue is guns in the hands of the wrong people and an acceptance of who the wrong people are. The wrong people are the gang bangers (of all colors), the criminals, the mentally ill and unstable, the drug dealers and the mafia's.

Originally Posted by JohnMc82

Now... putting an armed security officer in schools? Someone who is specifically trained to deal with these kinds of situations? That might actually work, but it might cost actual money to accomplish. Maybe we should go ahead and legalize drugs/prostitution/etc and put the ex-vice squad in charge of something useful... like protecting people.

I agree. We are willing to spend the money on fighting losing battles over morality issues while school kids are sitting ducks. If the front area of the school is cordoned off from the classrooms, then the front office and any armed security would have time to neutralize the situation long enough for first responders to arrive (or shoot the perpetrator). It isn't foolproof, but most physical security is about detect/delay/deter.

I go back and forth regarding assault weapon legislation. It is stupid that it is more difficult to get Sudafed for a sinus problem than it is to get 100's of rounds of ammo, but I just don't see bans as all that effective. We really don't want these guys to fill up a van with fertilizer and diesel and park it in front of the school or bring in some homemade pipe bombs filled with nails.

Originally Posted by the bouncer

a "follower" of what?

you're actually the one giving the knee-jerk responses here.

no originality whatsoever.

but i do understand that you're on the defensive here. and you should be.

Who's on the defensive here? Who's winning or losing ground here? Are you gaining ground with us or are you losing ground with us or is there simply no ground to gain at this point? BTW, banning guns is a typical liberal knee-jerk response and jumping in on a liberal's knee-jerk response makes you a liberal knee-jerk too dude.

Originally Posted by Classic-X'er

Who's on the defensive here? Who's winning or losing ground here? Are you gaining ground with us or are you losing ground with us or is there simply no ground to gain at this point? BTW, banning guns is a typical liberal knee-jerk response and jumping in on a liberal's knee-jerk response makes you a liberal knee-jerk too dude.

He means on the defense for personal responsibility and he is correct. Personal responsibility (and those who are responsible) is under constant attack and requires constant defense. Vultures are always drawn to carcasses. It's in their nature after all.

Like I said, a follower, and followers are very important tools for increasing power and control.

Originally Posted by Deb C

1-Remember the 35 children who died in Gaza this month from Israeli bombardments.

2-Remember the 168 children who have been killed by US drone attacks in Pakistan since 2006.

3-Remember the 231 children killed in Afghanistan in the first 6 months of this year.

4-Remember the 400 other children in the US under the age of 15 who die from gunshot wounds each year.

5-Remember the 921 children killed by US air strikes against insurgents in Iraq.

6-Remember the 1,770 US children who die each year from child abuse and maltreatment.

7-Remember the 16,000 children who die each day around the world from hunger.

These tragedies must end.

1-Talk to Hezbollah
2/3-Talk to the Taliban-Al'Queda
4-Talk to the gangbangers and Stress to novice/lax gunovers that gun ownership comes with the responsibility of keeping their guns out of the hands of children.
5-Talk to Al'Queda-Baathists
6-Talk to their parents and convince them to give up their children.
7-Talk to their warlords and their governments and convince them to make feeding children their priority.

Originally Posted by Aramea

I agree. We are willing to spend the money on fighting losing battles over morality issues while school kids are sitting ducks. If the front area of the school is cordoned off from the classrooms, then the front office and any armed security would have time to neutralize the situation long enough for first responders to arrive (or shoot the perpetrator). It isn't foolproof, but most physical security is about detect/delay/deter.

I go back and forth regarding assault weapon legislation. It is stupid that it is more difficult to get Sudafed for a sinus problem than it is to get 100's of rounds of ammo, but I just don't see bans as all that effective. We really don't want these guys to fill up a van with fertilizer and diesel and park it in front of the school or bring in some homemade pipe bombs filled with nails.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but ever since the Oklahoma bombing, I think those ingredients are harder to buy in any great quantity.

And your correct, Sudafed is harder to get than most weapons. While it hasn't stopped meth labs, it sure has slowed them down to a snails pace. Maybe that's a clue and *part* of a solution to ways we might reform the citizen's gross amount of high powered weapons and ammunition in this country. But mainly, we probably need to address this culture of fear and insecurity that generates a war mentality that makes people think they have to have such a stockpile of weapons in the first place.

Originally Posted by Danilynn

If what happened at the school I graduated from (Pearl High class of 1993) in 1997 is any indication, the "help" they offer the survivors of this is going to be a day or so of Kumbaya hand holding. Then the "help" goes away and the survivors are left trying to sort it out themselves and process it.

A lot of nonsense will be spouted, inclusion will be preached and everyone is going to be scarred for a long time to come.

A bunch of my classmates had kid brothers and sisters at Pearl High in that commons area that Luke Woodham shot up. Several have severe social anxiety, and are medicated. Formerly well adjusted social butterfly type kids are now adults that rarely go to any sort of place that has large gatherings of people.

One in particular, let's just use his initials, C.B., was standing right next to one of the kids that died. When C.B. finally got out of the school that day he had massive amounts of blood covering him. Before the shooting, this kid was just very outgoing, friendly.

He is 33 now, and is on several diffent types of medication. He had a nervous breakdown during Freshman orientation at the university he tried to attend. He withdrew from school. He now transcribes court records for a living in the privacy and safety of his home.

His sister says he rarely leaves the house to do anything in daylight hours. Nikki says he grocery shops at 2 or 3 in the morning and orders all his clothes from the internet. She told me not long he hasn't went to the mall or a movie theater since 1997.

Whatever the answer is, these kids are going to need help, beyond a day or 2 of a "grief" counselor on hand at the school. And they are going to need it for a very long time to come.

Stuff like this changes the landscape tremendously for not just the families, but the whole community. Nearly 2 decades have passed since that October day and Pearl, MS still feels the events dearly. The kids that lived are changed.

Beautifully done. It is the hidden damage that emerges slowly as the temporary numbness wears off. How normal can life ever be for someone exposed so closely to a senseless and horrible slaughter? Our system basically says "Live with it!" and offers no answers other than consumerism and religion. Humor? I have never heard a repeatable joke about the Holocaust or such wartime atrocities as Bataan or My Lai. People can make jests about grinding awfulness like poverty, prison life, discrimination, the Soviet Union, bad sports teams, and alcoholism... but not about murder. Black humor has its limits.

For a survivor the body lives but a part of that person dies.

Originally Posted by Deb C

Maybe I'm mistaken, but ever since the Oklahoma bombing, I think those ingredients are harder to buy in any great quantity.

And your correct, Sudafed is harder to get than most weapons. While it hasn't stopped meth labs, it sure has slowed them down to a snails pace. Maybe that's a clue and *part* of a solution to ways we might reform the citizen's gross amount of high powered weapons and ammunition in this country. But mainly, we probably need to address this culture of fear and insecurity that generates a war mentality that makes people think they have to have such a stockpile of weapons in the first place.

It is possible that it is harder to get the materials together for a van bomb. Perhaps that is why we aren't seeing too many of those attacks. The quantities needed are less for a small school than was used in OK City, but point taken. My point was that if you work on the problem from the POV of methodology, then the methodology will change.

To be honest, it didn't sound like this guy's mom had much of a stockpile. We may know more about that in the future. Hundreds of rounds is a lot, but you could justify that much for training/target practice, given that it only took a few minutes to shoot them off. I do agree with you that there is a very weird undercurrent of fear and aggression in the US. It doesn't sound like what is going on with these rampages, though.

Oh by the way, some news you haven't heard on the pop-news stations about the recent Oregon mall shooting. Good kid there who probably saved some lives. I guess CNN/MSNBC/Fox are all busy somewhere else...

8. More guns tend to mean more homicide.
The Harvard Injury Control Research Center assessed the literature on guns and homicide and found that there’s substantial evidence that indicates more guns means more murders. This holds true whether you’re looking at different countries or different states. Citations here.

9. States with stricter gun control laws have fewer deaths from gun-related violence.
Last year, economist Richard Florida dove deep into the correlations between gun deaths and other kinds of social indicators. Some of what he found was, perhaps, unexpected: Higher populations, more stress, more immigrants, and more mental illness were not correlated with more deaths from gun violence. But one thing he found was, perhaps, perfectly predictable: States with tighter gun control laws appear to have fewer gun-related deaths. The disclaimer here is that correlation is not causation. But correlations can be suggestive:



“The map overlays the map of firearm deaths above with gun control restrictions by state,” explains Florida. “It highlights states which have one of three gun control restrictions in place – assault weapons’ bans, trigger locks, or safe storage requirements. Firearm deaths are significantly lower in states with stricter gun control legislation. Though the sample sizes are small, we find substantial negative correlations between firearm deaths and states that ban assault weapons (-.45), require trigger locks (-.42), and mandate safe storage requirements for guns (-.48).”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...united-states/

Originally Posted by Deb C

And your correct, Sudafed is harder to get than most weapons. While it hasn't stopped meth labs, it sure has slowed them down to a snails pace. Maybe that's a clue and *part* of a solution to ways we might reform the citizen's gross amount of high powered weapons and ammunition in this country. But mainly, we probably need to address this culture of fear and insecurity that generates a war mentality that makes people think they have to have such a stockpile of weapons in the first place.

You might start by admitting this is a values level problem. If one is part of the gun culture, one is aware that the first responders are going to arrive far too late. This is an obvious truth well illustrated by the Newtown and Aurora incidents. Being aware of this obvious truth, one has to take personal responsibility for the defense of one's self and one's own. This involves responsibility, duty, training and an exercise of natural rights guaranteed by the Constitution and God.

If one is not part of the gun culture, guns are something to be afraid of. The fewer guns present the better.

The founding fathers came from a gun culture. In many parts of the country, the gun culture is currently in the minority.

I agree with the point that teachers are not soldiers. They did not become teachers in order to become soldiers. They do not want the responsibility for defending the children given into their care. Thing is, if they don't want the responsibility, whose responsibility is it? Who is to be given the training, funds and access necessary to do the job?

On other threads I've been pushing the notion that there are reasons old traditional values came into existence, and there are reasons why new progressive values often come to supersede the old ways. The gun question is just another example of this. It is not that the other side is stupid, evil, insane, communist, fascist or otherwise anathema. The country was formed in revolution, expanded in frontier conflict with the natives, growing up with a deeply held and easily justified by example belief that a well regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free state. Alas, a well regulated militia implies training and discipline. The modern gun culture remembers they have rights, but often comes up well short on accepting the regulations, training, discipline and duties.

Anyway, both sets of values can be and are deeply held. There are lots of reasonable and unreasonable statistics and incidents to verify or reject either set of values. In the aftermath of tragedy lots of emotion and propaganda is thrown about. The problem is deeper than that.

One nitpick detail. Modern 'hunting rifles' are generally designed to take down animals larger and heavier than your typical human. Thus, they will carry larger more powerful rounds than are typically used in law enforcement, military assault weapons, or personal defense. If one is going after humans, one wants lots of smaller rounds rather than fewer more powerful rounds.

World War I rifles were designed at a time when cavalry was still perceived of as a possible threat. World War I and some World War II era weapons were literally designed to stop horses. These days, rounds carried and rate of fire are considered more important the pure power.

The school shooting that happened at Pearl High School, happened 4 years after I graduated from that school.

The day it happened, I had brothers and sisters of friends of mine trapped in the commons area where it all happened. I knew the very troubled young man, Luke Woodham from school and the game room arcade that was in town for the kids. My memories of him were that he did have a very bad home life. He was very moody, and a bit on the grudge holding side. He was overweight with greasy hair and bad social skills.

He used to freeze if people talked to him. Yes, he was picked on. But not to the point that the media made out like he was. A lot of kids over the years his age and older did try being his friend but he didn't want friends and he made that clear.

The day that shooting happened was rough waiting to find out who was hurt, how bad and who was dead.

Pearl, MS is a small town of about 25,000. Back in 1997 it had a population of about 18,000. It is mostly a blue collar town, filled with low cost areas and wanna be swanky areas.

I got to see the commons area about 10 years ago. The school made the decision to not patch or paint over the bullet holes in the wall. Some of the holes have been plastic cased over to protect them. There are little plaques to the students that were injured and the 2 that died that day next to the plastic boxes over the bullet holes.

The teacher that risked his life to bring the shooter down, actually got put on suspension for violence toward the student shooter while saving lives. That caused a major flare up here. He had arrived late to the school heard the shots and went back to his car where he had a .45 in the trunk. He was a National Guard Member and had permission to keep his weapon in a safe in his trunk. He came in a dead run tackled one of the accomplises and got a round off that nicked Luke Woodham. From the accounts I heard from witnesses, he then kept running toward Luke and tackled him to the ground then popped him across the back of the head with the gun he had. That armed teacher saved a lot of lives that day.

He was eventually re-instated as a teacher. He still teaches at Pearl High School now. It's not well known, but Pearl High put into their schools armed security after that. 8 armed security/former military people patrol the grounds and buildings of Pearl High. It makes the students feel safe and the community too.

Every year at graduation now there is a moment of silence for the victims of that day.

School shootings change not only the families that lose people, but it changes the community too.

The lawyer, Ed Rainer, who represented Luke, was forced by the court to do so. They kept having to postpone the hearing because attorneys, even the public defenders kept refusing!

Much like the Sandy Hook assasin, Luke Woodham tortured and killed his mother before going to the school. Word travels fast in small towns, It got out about the condition of his house and mom. From kids of police officers that responded to that scene at the house. Several hardened Homicide detectives had to leave the scene to throw up. They said it was very gruesome the amount of damage done to her.

I can't find any maps or tables about gun control in the world. I summarize here the gun control laws reported on wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics

and the firearms murder rate where known is listed after the country name.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datab...orld-list#data

USA 2.97
The US has by far the highest rate of gun ownership in the world.

Austria 0.22
Guns are divided into four categories:
Category A - Forbidden weapons: Pump action shotguns, fully automatic weapons, semi-automatic and other rifles when considered military weapons, and disguised weapons.
Category B - Weapons requiring permission: Semi automatic long weapons for sporting and hunting, repeating (non-pump action) and semi automatic shotguns and weapons shorter than 60 cm in overall length (for example pistols and revolvers, but also bolt/lever/pump action rifles under 60 cm overall length).
Category C - Weapons requiring registration: Break action guns and all repeating rifles (i.e. bolt-, lever- or pump action).
Category D - Weapons free from registration: Non-repeating shotguns.

Australia 0.14
Gun ownership is accessible only for those persons with 'genuine reasons' who can obtain a Permit to Acquire from local Police stations.

Brazil 18.1
All firearms in Brazil are required to be registered with the state. The minimum age for ownership is 25 and it is generally illegal to carry a gun outside a residence.

Canada 0.51
The stated intent of Canadian firearms laws are to control firearms so as to improve public safety. Canadians have a somewhat limited access to firearms, but are still able to purchase them with relative ease. They must have a firearms licence

China
Gun ownership in the People's Republic of China is heavily regulated by law. Generally, private citizens are not allowed to possess guns.

Czech Republic 0.19
Gun ownership in the Czech Republic is regulated by liberal gun laws compared to the rest of Europe.

East Timor
Under East Timorese law, only the military and police forces may legally possess, carry and use firearms. However, despite these laws, East Timor has many problems with illegally armed militias

Finland 0.45
Weapons are individually licensed by local police forces, however there is no limit on the number of licenses an individual may hold. Licenses are granted for recreational uses, exhibition or (under certain circumstances) professional use.

France 0.06
In France, to buy a weapon, a hunting licence or a shooting sport licence is necessary.

Germany 0.19
A firearms ownership license allows for the purchasing of weapons by those over the age of 18 who meet various competency/trustworthiness guidelines. Convicted felons, those with a mental disability or those deemed unreliable are denied licenses

Honduras 68.43
Gun laws in Honduras took official form under the Act on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Material of 2000, which sets limitations on what firearms and calibers are permitted and which are prohibited for civilian use. In April 2002, the National Arms Registry was formed, requiring all citizens to register their firearms with the Ministry of Defense. In 2003, a ban on certain assault rifles was passed restricting citizens from possessing military-style rifles such as the AK-47 and the M-16, among other assault rifles. In 2007, an additional decree suspended the right to openly carry a firearm in public as well as limiting the amount of firearms allowed per person

India 0.26
To obtain a license to own a firearm, a person has to prove that there exists "threat to life."[citation needed] Once a license is obtained, there are several restrictions on caliber

Israel 0.09
It is forbidden in Israel to own any kind of firearm, including air pistols and rifles, without a firearms license.

Italy 0.71
The Italian Constitution does not recognize the right to keep and bear arms, however different types of gun licenses can be obtained from the national police authorities.

Japan 0.01
The weapons law begins by stating "No-one shall possess a fire-arm or fire-arms or a sword or swords", and very few exceptions are allowed. The only types of firearms which a Japanese citizen may acquire are rifles or shotguns

Kenya
It is illegal in Kenya to own any type of firearm without a valid gun ownership license

Mexico 9.97
Mexico has strict gun laws. Mexican citizens and legal residents may purchase new non-military firearms for self-protection or hunting only after receiving approval of a petition to the Defense Ministry, which performs extensive background checks. The allowed weapons are restricted to relatively low-caliber

New Zealand 0.16
New Zealand's gun laws are notably more liberal than other countries in the Pacific, focusing mainly on vetting firearm owners, rather than registering firearms or banning certain types of firearms.

Norway 0.05
Norway has a large population of hunters. Semi-automatic and bolt action rifles, as well as shotguns, make up the better part of the guns in civilian homes. There is a total ban on automatic weapons for civilians, unless they fall into the collector category. Modification of semi-automatic guns into fully automatic without the consent of the police is a felony crime.

Pakistan
Pakistan has relatively liberal firearm laws compared to the rest of South Asia. In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Pakistan ranks in 6th place. Gun culture is strong among Pakistanis and traditionally important part of rural and urban life.

Poland 0.09
As a result of very strict controls, gun ownership in Poland is the lowest in the European Union, at one firearm per 100 citizens.

Romania 0.02
Romania has one of the toughest gun ownership in the world. Civilians cannot purchase a lethal firearm.

Russia
Russian citizens can buy smoothbore shotguns, gas pistols, or revolvers shooting rubber bullets. Safe use of one of the above weapons for five years allows purchase of a rifle or carbine.

Serbia 0.46
Serbia has relatively liberal weapon laws compared to the rest of Europe. Serbia ranks in 2nd place on the List of countries by gun ownership. Gun culture is strong among Serbs and traditionally important part of rural life. Rifles, shotguns and handguns are all allowed to civilians. Handgun ownership is allowed, but the licensing is strict.

Singapore 0.02
Citizens in Singapore must obtain a license to lawfully possess firearms and/or ammunition; applicants must provide justification for the license, such as target shooting or self-defense.

Slovakia 0.18
A gun license is necessary to purchase most firearms.

Slovenia 0.1
The ownership and purchase of firearms requires a specific reason

South Africa 17.03
All current firearms owners (which is less than 6% of the population) are required to re-register their firearms. Its constitutionality is currently being challenged in two high profile cases.

Spain 0.2
requires every person carrying or having possession of a firearm to have a licence issued by the Civil Guard Authority.

Sweden 0.41
Everything from pepperspray to full-automatic machine guns are technically legal, and license to civilians can be given in 'special' cases. Like the other Nordic countries Sweden has a high rate of gun ownership, due to the popularity of hunting.

Switzerland 0.77
Switzerland requires that all able-bodied male citizens keep fully automatic firearms at home in case of a call-up. In addition to these official weapons, Swiss citizens are allowed to purchase surplus-to-inventory combat rifles, and shooting is a popular sport in all the Swiss cantons. These facts aside, some Swiss gun laws are more restrictive than those in the US. Unlicensed persons are not permitted to carry weapons except under special certain circumstances. Owners are legally responsible for third party access and usage of their weapons.

UK (England 0.07)
Ownership of most types of firearm in the UK requires either a Shotgun Certificate (SGC) or a Firearms Certificate (FAC). Both of these are issued by local police after the applicant has met the required criteria.

Vietnam 0.99
Gun laws in Vietnam are generally referred to as restrictive. Citizens of Vietnam are restricted to owning a shotgun only, and this is only after a license has been issued