The gun control debate[1] is back in a big way. Fed up with all too frequent mass shootings[2], Americans — led by teenagers[3] — are making headlines as they march in the streets[4] to demand change.
But this back and forth over private firearm ownership and the Second Amendment[5] is nothing particularly new in the United States. With the precipitous rise of the National Rifle Association[6], and its sway over American politicians at virtually every level, a group of vocal pro-gun advocates has also emerged.
As most readers may know, these groups and individuals argue passionately for the continued deregulation of firearms — a position sometimes bolstered by examples of international gun control and ownership. Let’s take a closer look at some of these foreign policies.
Switzerland
It is entirely true that the Swiss own an enormous number of firearms; the country’s 8.3 million citizens privately own 2 million guns. At the same time, the country’s homicide rates are relatively low. That said, Switzerland’s gun laws are actually much stricter than those in the U.S.
For centuries, Swiss culture has placed a heavy emphasis on firearm knowledge and safety. Even if a citizen does not own a gun, most know how to handle one safely. This tradition, in fact, runs so deep that private gun ownership is not legally allowed without strict background checks[7] to exclude people deemed potentially violent or those who demonstrably lack safety awareness. Would-be gun owners must also successfully pass several safety exams.
Canada
Not unlike Switzerland, Canada has fairly tough laws on the books when it comes to private gun ownership. A citizen who wants to buy a firearm must go through a 60-day wait period[8], in addition to license approval — granted only after an extensive background check and the completion of a safety course.
The type of weapons that can be legally owned is also far more limited than in the United States. Most — but not all — forms of semiautomatic assault-style rifles are prohibited. Canada also bans modifications to firearms.
Even still, the country has seen a sharp rise in gun-related crime in recent years. In response, lawmakers have proposed new legislation[9] this month that would further strengthen the background check process and mandate strict rules regarding recordkeeping in retail.
Germany
Much like their Swiss neighbors, Germans have long enjoyed private gun ownership. Today, they own around 5.5 million firearms, yet gun homicides and mass shootings are infrequent. But that’s no accident[10].
After several high-profile shootings, German legislators put new laws in place to prevent future repeats. In less than a year after a 2002 school shooting that left 16 dead, new laws required German gun owners to undergo stringent psychiatric evaluations before obtaining a license if under the age of 25.
Another mass school shooting in 2009 led to
