The purchase, possession, transportation and carrying of weapons in the World

[ENNE-FRAME]

I'd like to know the regolamentation concerning the firearms possession in other countries.
In Italy the rules are simple and now for me Italy is one of the most permissive state concerning the firearms possesion.
All firearms are permitted in Italy, banned only fullauto and 50 BMG caliber.

To buy firearms need a police permit, there are 4 type of licenses to buy or use firearms + one for a firearms collection.

To obtain these permit or licenses need the family doctor's certificate that you do not have mental illnesses and do not use drugs or alcohol, plus certification from the ear doctor and ophthalmologist, plus the certificate from a forensic or military doctor. Usually it is resolved only with the family doctor and the forensic or military doctor.
Court and police certification that you have not committed any violent or weapons crimes in your life.
The qualification to handle and use firearms to be obtained at the range.
After about two months you will have your permit or license.
The authorization to purchase firearms is valid only one time the licenses are valid for 5 years.

The authorization to purchase firearms is only the permit to buy firearms and you must keep the firearms in your house, no bring outside. This permit cost few euros.

The Sporting License to buy and detention for sporting use is very very easy to obtain and without any cost, only few euros for the bureaucratic, valid for 5 years.
This sporting license permit to bring firearms to all Italian territory for sporting reason only, no carry for self defence.

This license permith to buy all guns, short or long in all calibers produced, as divided:

-For self defence N° 3 firearms short or long usually handguns or revolvers
-For sporting use N° 12 firearms (hundreds firearms are classified for sporting use. For example all S&W revolvers eccept 2" are sporting gun, Colt 1911 A1 cal 45 ACP and clones are sporting guns, Glock 19x cal 9mm luger is sporting gun Colt AR 15 cal 223 and clones are sporting guns and other hundreds handguns and rifles)
-For Hunting N° unlimited number of rifles in all calibers produced, the only caliber banned is 50 BMG.

The Hunting license, cost about 300 euros by years as regional tax and payment of the game, you must been abilitated to obtain the hunting license, you must know rightly all law and rules concerning the hunting, valid for 5 years.
As the sporting license you can buy all Firearms in the same classes.
You can bring the Firearms in the Hunting period and to the range, no carry for self defence.

The Self defence license as the others licenses for purchase and detention, the personal defense license is issued for work reasons, for example if you do a job where you run the risk of being robbed, jeweler etc.etc.
Cost per year about 150 euros, concealed carry is the only permitted to all Italian territory, valid for 5 years.

When you exceed 3 + 12 defense and sporting weapons, you ask for a weapons collection license and buy as many as you want. the only limitation concerns the cartridges, 200 pistol and 1500 rifle cartridges to own in your home, unlimited shot and buckshot. You can buy and shoot in a range all ammo you want but don't exceded the max quantity permitted in your home.

During the five years of validity of the licenses you can purchase any weapon, whenever you want, but you have 72 hours to declare the new purchase to the police.
I think that attention and controls concerning the mental health, drugs and alcohol use and abuse are dutiful on the part of the police.

 

[Truckman]

Marcello, it's good that Italy is setting the pace for the rest of Europe in the way it views legitimate gun ownership...As you probably know it's a little different here in Texas...We are obliged to obey Federal guidelines, but in general we citizens and residents of Texas buy, sell and trade between ourselves as we please without permits or licenses needed...Personally, when I sell or trade to an individual, I look at a Texas drivers license or CHL to assure myself that the recipient is legally entitled to own it, but it's not required...

If a person acquires a gun from a gun store, a form is filled out with personal information, verified with an ID card and a background check is done over the phone...The entire process takes maybe 10 minutes on a good say...If the recipient has a Concealed Handgun License (as many of us do) the background check is not necessary...

Any legally aged, competent person in Texas may carry a gun (handgun or long gun) either concealed or in the open freely...Certain restrictions apply, but not many...Having a CHL as I do simplifies this right as I can carry in places those without CHL's cannot...Having the CHL is always better...

I hope your nation continues to advance its ideas toward legitimate gun ownership...I haven't been there in over 50 years, but I remember the beauty of the country and the friendliness of its people...And yes, I remember all the tasty food and gorgeous women......Ben

 

[Truckman]

I forgot to mention I don't have to report a sale, buy, trade or transfer to anyone - although those with wives might find the idea prudent......Ben

 

[Bald1]

Hmmmmm that’s actually easier and less restrictive than NY. Probably several other blue states as well. Good thing we have that second amendment

 

[WR Moore]

I recall reading several sources that claimed that, among other places, Italy forbid private citizen ownership of 9x19 mm firearms. Thus the 9x21 mm cartridge. Apparently Italy isn't one of them.

I'm not real clear on the license thing. Here in the US, hunting licenses are sold by individual states and don't have anything to do with firearms. But, if the fees mentioned are just for hunting, the prices seem a bit less than here in the US.

 

[Yaworski]

Should point out that each of the several states has different gun laws.

For example, in Pennsylvania the only places that I am barred by state law from carrying are school, detention centers, and court houses. I can carry in a bar, a church, or the shopping mall. I can even drink beer whilst carrying.

Other states prohibit carrying in bars, others prohibit drinking if carrying.

Pennsylvania requires that all handgun transfers go through a dealer to get the background check done but there are some family exemptions to that rule. Long guns can be sold to total strangers out of your trunk.

My old state of Maryland now has mandatory registration and a long list of banned guns. Also, you have mandatory training and an extensive and expensive background check just to get a permit to buy. I don't know if it has gotten easier to get a carry permit since I left but 20 years ago you had to show "good cause" to get a carry permit and general self defense was not "good cause."

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Marcello, it's good that Italy is setting the pace for the rest of Europe in the way it views legitimate gun ownership...As you probably know it's a little different here in Texas...We are obliged to obey Federal guidelines, but in general we citizens and residents of Texas buy, sell and trade between ourselves as we please without permits or licenses needed...Personally, when I sell or trade to an individual, I look at a Texas drivers license or CHL to assure myself that the recipient is legally entitled to own it, but it's not required...

If a person acquires a gun from a gun store, a form is filled out with personal information, verified with an ID card and a background check is done over the phone...The entire process takes maybe 10 minutes on a good say...If the recipient has a Concealed Handgun License (as many of us do) the background check is not necessary...

Any legally aged, competent person in Texas may carry a gun (handgun or long gun) either concealed or in the open freely...Certain restrictions apply, but not many...Having a CHL as I do simplifies this right as I can carry in places those without CHL's cannot...Having the CHL is always better...

I hope your nation continues to advance its ideas toward legitimate gun ownership...I haven't been there in over 50 years, but I remember the beauty of the country and the friendliness of its people...And yes, I remember all the tasty food and gorgeous women......Ben

Hi Ben
there is a lot of difference between the history of the United States of America and Italy, among you, weapons were used for conquest and protection
of the territories until a few decades ago and this was part of the normality of life. Consider that Texas is 695,662 km² with 29,53 million of citizens, Italy is 302,073 km² with 59,11 million of citizens, less than half for territory more than double for citizens.
Here in the past except the shepherds who carried sawn-off shotguns all year round to protect their livestock from wolves, no one else went around armed in the normality of city or country life, let's say from the early 1900s to the 1950s.
In Italy the presence of the Vatican and the Pope meant that all the people were strongly conditioned and commanded by the Catholic religion, this is demonstrated by the fact that in a town of 1000 inhabitants there are at least 2 or 3 churches in Rome there are hundreds.
In fact, the weapons present belonged to hunters, some farmers, the armed forces and police and a few others. Peolple carried knives.
With the modern era and well-being in Italy we began to allow ourselves passions or hobbies, poverty, the fascist regime and the war didn't make us think about much other than surviving. After the war, the ease of obtaining firearms increased the passion for weapons.
I remember when i was child how easy it was to find German or American firearms. There began the passion for weapons, fueled by Hollywood movies, western movies and war movies every day at the cinema or on television.
But up until that time we didn't talk about firearms, they didn't exist and those that were there were ugly and not fascinating.
VELODOG, GLISENTI AND BODEO DOCET!

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

I recall reading several sources that claimed that, among other places, Italy forbid private citizen ownership of 9x19 mm firearms. Thus the 9x21 mm cartridge. Apparently Italy isn't one of them.

I'm not real clear on the license thing. Here in the US, hunting licenses are sold by individual states and don't have anything to do with firearms. But, if the fees mentioned are just for hunting, the prices seem a bit less than here in the US.

past year 9x19 become legal, now the only caliber banned is 50 BMG.
The hunting weapons license goes hand in hand with the hunting license, it is one of the three existing weapons licenses in Italy,
authorization to carry a rifle for hunting use + Hunting license (expensive)
authorization to carry a rifle for clay shooting (sporting use cheaper)
authorization to carry weapons for personal defense (for handgun or revolver)
All three allow the purchase of all types of weapons except fullauto, you can buy them freely for all five years of the permit's validity.
Here you can see an example of a site for buying and selling used weapons between private individuals. I entered the search Smith & Wesson
smith wesson >> Rivoltelle | Armiusate.it, Armi Usate, Armi Nuove, vendita, acquisto

 

[Truckman]

Thanks for the link, Marcello...I see a pretty good selection of Smiths there...From what little I know about the dollar/euro exchange rate, the asking prices don't seem entirely unreasonable either......Ben

 

[Matt_X]

there is a lot of difference between the history of the United States of America and Italy, among you, weapons were used for conquest and protection of the territories until a few decades ago and this was part of the normality of life.

Hello Marcello,
For similar reasons of history and geography, you will find 50 different sets of rules and regulations in the USA. These state laws are the ones that most effect private purchases, carry, and transportation. Pennsylania colonial policy was basically pacifist, and had no mandatory militia until late 1776. Contrast that with Virginia, a royal colony begun as a commercial venture, and so forth. So it is hard to generalize US practices.


Another issue is that some practices are not spelled out explicity by state law. So the interpretation falls on the courts if there is a dispute. For example while New Jersey's laws are very explicit about some things, transportation rules leave room for interpretation.

Matt

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Hello Marcello,
For similar reasons of history and geography, you will find 50 different sets of rules and regulations in the USA. These state laws are the ones that most effect private purchases, carry, and transportation. Pennsylania colonial policy was basically pacifist, and had no mandatory militia until late 1776. Contrast that with Virginia, a royal colony begun as a commercial venture, and so forth. So it is hard to generalize US practices.


Another issue is that some practices are not spelled out explicity by state law. So the interpretation falls on the courts if there is a dispute. For example while New Jersey's laws are very explicit about some things, transportation rules leave room for interpretation.

Matt

Hi Matt
I'm terrified of interpretations, even here in Italy you hear absurd things said by any person who has a minimum of power, it's a disaster regarding weapons and ammunition. Stupid people immediately come to the frontline to change the rules with crazy interpretations and ruin your life

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In Ohio, We are allowed Full-Auto and silencers with q $200one time per gun Federal permit.. We are allowed any caliber up to and including 50 BMG. Over 50 BMG we are allowed but require a $500 one time per gun federal permit.

Some local towns try to out law guns like AR-15 and Full auto, but the state has enacted a law that we have only one set of laws for the whole stat3. Some cities still try special laws, this is mostly political showmanship.

We are any type of ammo Hollow Point, Soft Point, Full Metal Jacket, completely lead bullets and even more. Some gun ranges prohibit types of gun or ammo.

Carry is now a right that doesn't require a permit. We also have permits that make us legal in around 40 other states.

We are allowed to own as many as we want or can afford. Most towns don't regulate storage, but some do.

Property and store owners have the right to forbid carrying a gun. If you get caught it is only a misdemeanor, unless you cause serious problems. We cannot carry in schools, hospitals, big sporting events, and government buildings. Cannot drink while carrying.

Ivan

 

[ladder13]

Marcello, how do Italians treat suppressors?

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Hello,
the suppressor is prohibited,
It is in use by the police and armed forces.
the government is thinking about the possibility of making it legal in some types of hunting, such as wild boar hunting.
Since there is an overpopulation of wild boars throughout Italy, they think of allowing hunting all year round
also using the silencer,
so as not to disturb other animal species.

 

[6string]

The Devil's in the details....

Thank you for the informative and detailed information in the original post.

At face value, this all looks good and sensible.
However, keep in mind that it is still a situation of having a privilege rather than a right!

Once upon a time, I used to live in Canada. The laws around gun ownership were very similar. You could buy pretty much what you wanted, there were certain classifications of firearms, and there were certain permits for ownership.
For firearms, there were unrestricted (long guns), restricted (handguns), and prohibited (machine guns).
The first major change came in 1974, with toughening and tightening of existing rules, all with the intent of making gun ownership a hassle. This included, amongst other things, an annual bureaucratic ritual of renewing your restricted permit.
These permits became more and more conditional and problematic. There was the "permit to convey", a permit that allowed you to transport your newly purchased restricted firearm to the Office of the Firearms Officer for registration purposes. (Yes, you had to make a special trip to request one.)
The "carry permit" simply allowed you to take a restricted weapon out of your home for sporting purposes. Then, it became a permit to take it only to one specific range. Then, it prohibited making any stops or detours (ie: no more going to the grocery store, even if the gun is locked up) between your home and range.

Since leaving Canada, it has gotten much worse.
Here's the point:
-Every one of those changes was made on a purely bureacratic level. Except for the failed long gun registry, which was done through parliament, every one of those changes happened behind closed doors by faceless pencil-pushers, at the behest of whomever was the Prime Minister.
What started as a seemingly reasonable arrangement was, in fact, a system devised to give the impression of freedom, all while allowing for the stepwise chipping away off that same freedom.
I'm sure you all heard about Justin Trudeau's decree banning the further sale of handguns. He didn't need the approval of parliament or anybody else.

As Darth Vader said in the original "Star Wars" film:
"I'm altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further."

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

Thank you for the informative and detailed information in the original post.

At face value, this all looks good and sensible.
However, keep in mind that it is still a situation of having a privilege rather than a right!

Once upon a time, I used to live in Canada. The laws around gun ownership were very similar. You could buy pretty much what you wanted, there were certain classifications of firearms, and there were certain permits for ownership.
For firearms, there were unrestricted (long guns), restricted (handguns), and prohibited (machine guns).
The first major change came in 1974, with toughening and tightening of existing rules, all with the intent of making gun ownership a hassle. This included, amongst other things, an annual bureaucratic ritual of renewing your restricted permit.
These permits became more and more conditional and problematic. There was the "permit to convey", a permit that allowed you to transport your newly purchased restricted firearm to the Office of the Firearms Officer for registration purposes. (Yes, you had to make a special trip to request one.)
The "carry permit" simply allowed you to take a restricted weapon out of your home for sporting purposes. Then, it became a permit to take it only to one specific range. Then, it prohibited making any stops or detours (ie: no more going to the grocery store, even if the gun is locked up) between your home and range.

Since leaving Canada, it has gotten much worse.
Here's the point:
-Every one of those changes was made on a purely bureacratic level. Except for the failed long gun registry, which was done through parliament, every one of those changes happened behind closed doors by faceless pencil-pushers, at the behest of whomever was the Prime Minister.
What started as a seemingly reasonable arrangement was, in fact, a system devised to give the impression of freedom, all while allowing for the stepwise chipping away off that same freedom.
I'm sure you all heard about Justin Trudeau's decree banning the further sale of handguns. He didn't need the approval of parliament or anybody else.

As Darth Vader said in the original "Star Wars" film:
"I'm altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further."

I agree with you.
They are concessions and not rights.
In the 70s, national terrorism from both the right and the left, had cast of fear over the government, allowing to this to make an absolutely restrictive guns laws.
Forbidding and dissuading.
Little by little, those years passed, instilling trust in the government and the population.
Now reasoning with a cool head, not conditioned by fear, they have put their hands back to the law and have alignened the legislation with the most permissive European states.
Of course, everything can change in the future. Everywhere in the world...