Bosnia and Herzegovina In
Bosnia and Herzegovina, its two autonomous entities, the
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and
Republika Srpska have relatively strict weapon laws compared to the rest of Europe. Weapons are regulated by the Weapons and Ammunition Law. All EU and EFTA countries are bound to
implement Directive (EU) 2021/555 into their own legal systems. The Directive sets certain gun control standards that the countries must meet; at the same time national legislators may chose to adopt more stringent rules. Under the directive, firearms are defined as
any portable barrelled weapon that expels, is designed to expel or may be converted to expel a shot, bullet or projectile by the action of a combustible propellant. Since 2017 EU directive amendment, arms are classified in three EU categories: • Category A – Prohibited firearms: including, for instance, explosive military missiles and launchers, automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects, or ammunition with penetrating, explosive or incendiary projectiles, and the projectiles for such ammunition, or semi-automatic firearms; • Category B – Firearms subject to authorisation, including, for instance, various kind of repeating and semi-automatic long firearms, but excluding those which belongs to category A • Category C – Firearms and weapons subject to declaration, including various kind of long firearms with, but excluding those which belongs to category A or B Under article 5 of the directive:
Austria Austria is the only country in the European Union where firearms are only partially licensed; the
Waffengesetz (Weapons Act) provides the legal terms for all types of weapons, including firearms. § 1 of the law defines
Weapons as objects that are designed to directly eliminate or reduce the ability of people to attack or defend themselves (e.g. knives, pepper spray, gas pistols, etc.) or for firing projectiles during hunting or sport shooting (e.g. crossbows, bows, etc.). § 2 further defines
Firearms as weapons where projectiles can be fired from a barrel in a predefined direction. Most common firearms and some other weapons fall into three different categories, which come with different restrictions: Category A is divided into two subcategories "war material" and "restricted weapons". "War material" includes for example tanks, fully automatic weapons and armour-piercing weapons; "restricted weapons" includes weapons disguised as other objects, firearms which can be disassembled in a faster than usual fashion for hunting and sport, shotguns with an overall length of less than 90 cm (35 in) or barrel length shorter than 45 cm (18 in),
pump action shotguns, suppressors and firearms with suppressors, knuckledusters, blackjacks, steel rods. Category B covers all handguns, repeating shotguns and semi-automatic weapons which are not category A (e.g. pistols, revolvers, semi-automatic rifles and semi-automatic shotguns). Category C includes most other firearms that are not category A or B (e.g. repeating rifles, revolving rifles, break-action rifles and break-action shotguns). All firearms of category A, B, and C are registered in the central weapon register (Zentrales Waffenregister, or short ZWR). Firearms of category C are the least restricted; all citizens over 18 may purchase them at licensed sellers, even without a firearms licence (barring a 3-day waiting period to check for a weapon ban on the buyer). Category B weapons have further restrictions; buyers must have a firearms license or a carry permit, and be 21, unless granted an exception for the age of 18. Category A weapons typically require further exceptions to be granted for holders, except in the case of suppressors and suppressed weapons, which may be held by those with valid hunting licences without an additional permit. "War material" requires a further special federal permit, which is in practice only granted to approved collectors and experts. In general, ammunition sales are unrestricted, though handgun ammunition and some rifle ammunition requires a permit. Antique firearms made before 1871, many black powder firearms and some other "less effective weapons" also require no licence or registration. In addition, § 11a defines further restrictions on the purchase, possession and carrying of all weapons and ammunition for asylum seekers and many third-country nationals. Owning weapons without a permit for them is strictly prohibited and controlled by the police. Carrying firearms in public generally requires a carry permit (or "Waffenpass"). Carry permits are issued by the authorities on a shall issue or may issue basis, depending on reason and applicant. Austrian law makes no distinction between concealed or open carry; with a carry permit, the holder may carry their weapon(s) freely throughout the whole country and even in certain "weapon free zones". However, holders must carry their weapons in a way that does not constitute a public nuisance; for example, openly displaying a handgun in one's belt at the cinema while wearing civil clothing would be considered unusual and could be considered a public nuisance if the police were called.
Belgium Possessing or carrying firearms is generally illegal in
Belgium with very limited exemptions. Gun laws in Belgium are among the strictest in the world. An exception is made for people who have a valid firearms license. Since 2006, after a
2006 Antwerp shooting, there are very strict conditions and rules for gun owners to obtain such a licence. The legal reasons to get a license include sport shooting, hunting, collecting and self-defense, although self-defense licenses are almost never approved. The granting of gun permits is the responsibility of the governor of the province in which the applicant resides. Applicants must always pass a theoretical and practical exam, have a clean criminal record and be able to present a medical certificate proving that they are competent to handle weapons. When purchasing a gun, in most cases a permit called 'Model 4' has to be requested first, even when you already have a license, in order to register the firearm. The requisition of such a permit has a cost of around €140 (as of February 2025) and is increased every year, as well as a waiting period of up to 4 months. There are exceptions to this rule however, but these are different depending on the reason for the possession of the firearm. I.e.: a .22LR semi automatic pistol is exempt from a model 4 permit for sport shooters, but not for hunters. All revolvers, centerfire pistols, semi-automatic rifles and pump action shotguns always require a Model 4 permit. When requesting a Model 4 you have to be able to prove that you passed the forementioned theoretical and practical exam, have a clean criminal record, present a medical certificate, provide proof that you are a member of a licensed shooting range, and get written permission by every adult person whom you share a house with that they do not object to you having the firearms. However, the laws and regulations concerning the carrying and possession of firearms for hunters, sport shooters, collectors and also for the import and export of guns, differs slightly from area to area in Belgium; a valid licence is almost always required. Airsoft guns, paintball guns and some blank guns do not need a permit or licence and are free to purchase. Deactivated guns also need a license as of 2019. The only firearms that can be bought without a license in Belgium are those which are manufactured before 1890, or those that only use black powder and were patented before 1895 and manufactured before 1945. The possession of ammunition is always restricted to people who have a valid license. Belgium is the only country in the EU where magazines are also subject to license and registration. Gun laws in Belgium do not apply (or at least applies differently) for the military and law enforcement services such as the police. Until its abolition in 2019, the security units of Belgian courts and prison transport (
Corps de securité Justice/Veiligheidskorps Justitie) were also permitted to carry handguns. Because of the very strict laws, and the long and expensive process of obtaining licenses, Belgian law allows for people over the age of 18 without a license to shoot once per year and only under strict supervision in a licensed shooting range.
Croatia Croatia issues firearms permits for self-defense, hunting, sport shooting: • Hunting permits require a certificate indicating successfully passing the hunting exam; • Sporting permits require a certificate issued by a target shooting organization on active membership; • Self-defense permits require a proof of danger to life. Every permit also requires an applicant to be at least 18 years old, not be convicted of crimes, there being no other circumstances indicating that the weapon may be abused (for example by a history of alcoholism) and passing medical examinations. there 99,829 legal gun owners in Croatia. 14,711 people can own and carry firearms for the purpose of personal safety.
Cyprus The
Republic of Cyprus has strict gun control. Private citizens are completely forbidden from owning handguns and rifles in any calibre, including .22
rimfire ammunition. Shotguns limited to two rounds are allowed with a license, issued by provincial police. Shotguns must be for hunting purposes, and a licensed citizen may own up to ten shotguns, typically
double-barrelled. A firearm license is required to buy ammunition, of up to 250 shells per purchase, with sales being recorded. Cyprus also controls
airguns, and airgun owners require a license. Even though purchasing automatic weapons is illegal, the military issues their reserves an automatic weapon, therefore the majority of the male population has one due to military
conscription.
Czech Republic Gun laws in the Czech Republic adhere to the
European Firearms Directive. Legal accessibility is comparable to those
EU and
EFTA countries which consider firearms to be primarily tools of individual or collective safety (i.e.
Switzerland,
Austria,
Poland,
Baltic states,
Finland) and not just sporting instruments.
Right to keep and bear arms is considered to be an attribute of liberty in the country. The most common reason for firearm possession by Czech gun owners is protection, with hunting and sport shooting being less common. Additionally, people can join government endorsed advanced shooting training courses with their privately owned firearms and become members of the
militia-style
Designated Reserves. The beginnings of Czech civilian firearms possession date back to 1421, with the first use of firearms as the primary weapons of the
Hussites. Firearms became indispensable tools for the mostly-commoner militia in a war for religious freedom and political independence. Firearms possession became common throughout and after the
Hussite wars. The universal right to keep arms for "
all people of all standing" was formally affirmed in the 1517 . Throughout its 600-year history, Czech firearms legislation remained permissive, with the exception of the periods of
German Nazi occupation and of the
Communist regime. The English term
pistol originated in 15th-century
Czech language.
Mariánská skála in
Ústí nad Labem is Europe's oldest continually-open shooting range, established in 1617.
Denmark Civilians in
Denmark aged 16 and above can acquire gun licenses for hunting or sport shooting. This requires passing a written multiple-choice test and a practical test, after which a certified hunting license instructor determines if the applicant is suitable to own a weapon. A license is usually provided if the applicant has no or only minor marks on their criminal record. A hunting license permits the over-the-counter-purchase and ownership of an unlimited number of shotguns up to 12 gauge. These shotguns may have a capacity of up to two rounds when used for hunting in Denmark, and up to ten rounds when used for training or for hunting outside Denmark. From there, the police has to be notified of new weapon purchases through an online form. Bolt-action rifles can also be bought over-the-counter, although they require a rifle license which is obtained through the police. The allowed calibers range from the smallest possible, up to
.50 BMG, with .50 BMG not included. Semi-automatic rifles are permitted under the same conditions capacity limits as shotguns: they must be limited to two rounds when used for hunting in Denmark, and may have a capacity of up to ten rounds when used for training or for hunting outside Denmark. Currently, semi-automatic rifles for hunting are only approved in larger calibers (such as .308 Winchester, 6.555, and .300 Winchester Magnum etc.), as they must meet the legal requirements for Class 1 game (e.g., fallow deer, wild boar, and red deer). These require a minimum bullet diameter of 6 mm (.236″) and an impact energy (E100) of at least 2000 joules. As a result, smaller calibers such as .223 Remington / 5.5645 are generally not approved. The hunter must pass a shotgun or rifle shooting test before being allowed to hunt. For sport-shooting purposes, shotguns may also be used, as well as bolt-action rifles with calibers up to—but not including—.50 BMG. Sporting rifles are often chambered in .22 LR and 6.555 mm. Semi-automatic rifles are not allowed for sports shooting. Handguns: After two years of active membership in a shooting club, one can apply for a handgun permit which is then subject to background checks and approval by the police, and one has to be 20 years old. Approved calibers: All calibers under 9mm (919, .38 special, .357 magnum, .32 ACP, etc.), plus a limited number of larger calibers; .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .44 special. The maximum number of handguns are six in .22 caliber. When applying for a third gun, a special permit from the department of justice is required. Large caliber guns, i.e. bigger than .22 caliber, are restricted to a maximum of two in the same caliber. Therefore, one can only own two handguns in 9 mm at any given time. However, it is legal to own an additional two handguns in 9 mm, if these are revolvers. For all handguns, the overall length must be at least , regardless of caliber, measured without orthopedic grips or removal parts. A weapon permit for sporting purposes (both long and short firearms) has to be renewed every five years. Rifle permits for hunting rifles have to be renewed every 10 years. Shotguns are not held on individual permits; holders are allowed to own these as long as they have a valid hunting license – and they can keep it for up to 10 years after the hunting license expires – albeit they are not allowed to keep ammunition without a valid license. Under Danish firearms law, sole weapons are classified as particularly dangerous (særligt farlige våben), these include pistols and revolvers, as well as semi- and fully-automatic firearms; to acquire or possess these firearms, individuals must be at least 20 years old and be assessed as “particularly reliable” (særlig pålidelig) by the authorities, although licensed hunters are exempt from the age requirement when acquiring semi-auto shotguns. Carrying a firearm in public is strictly prohibited, however, a notion of proportional self-defense exists. A person may use necessary and proportionate force to defend themselves against an imminent threat of serious harm; in extreme cases, this may include lethal force if no lesser means would suffice (for example, using a firearm when faced with an immediate threat of death or serious injury). Fully automatic weapons are prohibited for civilian use, unless a special permit is issued by the Ministry of Justice. These permits are extremely rare and are typically granted only to individuals or companies working with or supplying the police or military. Members of the Danish Home Guard may, under specific conditions, store issued service weapons (fully automatic) at home; however, such weapons remain under military control and are not considered privately owned. Illegal possession of a firearm may be punished with imprisonment of no less than one year. Civilians may keep privately owned weapons including pistols, revolvers, shotguns and rifles at their residences. These, together with its ammunition have to be stored in an approved gun cabinet (EN1143-1 grade 0 or better). The police may inspect a shooting club's weapons at their discretion, but require a court order to inspect privately held firearms.
Estonia Estonia is a shall-issue nation. Background checks, doctor's approval, written and practical exam and a firearms course are required. The courses are only offered by private parties (not law enforcement) and must be performed in Estonian as must be the national exam given by law enforcement. Earlier, a translator was permitted, but it was changed as a consequence of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine due to the large number of ethnic Russians applying for licenses. After the national exam is passed, the taking of which already requires passing the previous requisites, a license must be issued on request with law enforcement having no final say afterwards unless a later cause (like committing a felony) invalidates a license. and the first in Europe. Finns practices hunting, and there were 1.6 million registered weapons and 650,000 people with firearm permits in the country, i.e. 12% of the population. In November that year, Finland updated their gun laws after two school shootings that left 20 people dead, and to comply with an EU directive by removing the ability of 15-18-year-olds to have their own permit. The possibility of creating a dual-license for an already licensed weapon with permission of the license holder was allowed (e.g. parental permission). In 2011, a constitutional law committee concluded that people over the age of 20 can receive a permit for semi-automatic handguns; individuals must demonstrate continuous activity in handgun sporting group for two years prior.
France In 1563,
Charles IX of France had an address to the
Rouen parliament about forbidding firearms in which he made the following statement: In France, a hunting license or a sport-shooting license is needed to purchase any smokeless powder firearm. In September 2015, firearms were divided into four categories that determine the regulations that apply to their possession and use. Category D arms include black powder firearms designed before 1900 and compressed air arms developing between 2 and 20 joules, they can be purchased by any citizen over the age of 18. Category C firearms can be obtained with a hunting license, or sport-shooting license with a medical certificate. Category C includes mainly single-shot-per-barrel shotguns and single-shot or manual repeating rifles (including
centre-fire rifles, for hunting or target shooting). Once legally purchased these category C arms may be kept, without using them, even when no longer licensed for hunting or sport-shooting. Category B firearms are only available to sport-shooters licensed for at least 6 months, with a medical certificate, without any felony convictions, and additionally requires at least three shooting sessions with an instructor each separated by 2 months. Specific authorisations for purchase and possession may then be sought from a local police administration, are valid for 5 years, and are renewable. Such weapons may then only be used for sport-shooting at shooting ranges, never for hunting. Category B includes all assault type rifles, such as
AK-47/AKM, AK-74 or AR-15/M16/M4, and any look-alike weapons even when chambered for
rimfire cartridges (.22 LR). These must be semi-automatic only. All handguns, including those using rimfire ammunition, are classed as category B. It is illegal to possess these category B weapons after expiry of a non-renewed specific authorisation: the arms must be disposed of (sold to a gun shop or else destroyed, for example). Authorisations can also be revoked at any time by any of the parties involved in the authorisations delivery (Government, Prefecture, Police). Air-guns including pistols are freely available to adults, as category D arms, provided that their energy level does not exceed 20 J (previously 10 J). Typical energy levels are 6 J for a target pistol and 7.5 J for a target rifle. A scoped Field Target rifle might produce 15 or 16 J (maximum authorised in FT competition). Air-soft arms, firing non-metallic pellets and not exceeding 2 J energy, are considered to be toys, rather than weapons, and so are excluded from firearm regulations. Also freely available are category D defensive pepper sprays up to a maximum 75 g capacity. Bigger capacity sprays are considered offensive weapons, not defensive, and so are classed in category B, and require specific authorisation. A person cannot own more than 12 centerfire firearms, and cannot own more than 10 magazines and 1,000 rounds of ammunition per firearm. A one-year carry license may be issued for persons "exposed to exceptional risks to their life" allowing them to carry a handgun with a maximum of 50 rounds. Such authorizations are extremely rare, however, as the state would normally insist on providing police protection in such cases. Since November 2015, police officers are authorised to carry their service weapons whilst off-duty.
Germany Gun ownership in Germany is restrictive, being regulated by the Federal Weapons Act (German: Waffengesetz) of 1972. The laws apply to weapons with a fire energy exceeding 7.5 J. A firearms license may be granted to those over the age of 18 who have no criminal convictions or mental disability, who are deemed reliable and can justify a reason for owning a firearm. A separate license is required for each firearm owned. Target-shooters must have been a member of a shooting club with 18 recorded visits in the previous 12 months. A firearms carry permit is a second-tier license which allows concealed carrying in public, and is only issued to those with a particular need. Several weapons and special ammunitions are completely prohibited, such as automatic firearms. Buying, possessing, lending, using, carrying, crafting, altering and the trading of these weapons is illegal and punishable by up to five years imprisonment, confiscation of the weapon and a fine of up to €10,000. Using an illegal weapon for crimes of any kind is punishable by 1–10 years imprisonment. Germany's National Gun Registry, introduced at the end of 2012, counted 5.5 million firearms legally owned by 1.4 million people.
Greece Greece has gun regulations in place. Shotguns (limited to a 3-round capacity), rifles and handguns require a license issued by Police Headquarters. A license may be issued to a Greek citizen over the age of 18 if: a) there are serious fears about his or her personal security along with a positive recommendation by the Prosecutor and b) it is required for the safety of shops, banks, other financial institutions, etc. To purchase handguns and rifles, citizens must either have a concealed-carry permit or a target-shooting permit (for rifles and pistols). Semi auto rifles are not prohibited since the beginning of 2023. Hunters can own up to 10 shotguns and rifles (with no gun barrel rifling) and sport shooters can own up to 8 guns. There is no license-check or record kept for ammunition purchases for shotguns but target shooters can only own 1000 rounds per weapon, 3500 in total.
Hungary Gun laws in
Hungary are relatively strict, regulated by Code 24/2004, governmental decision 253/2004. (VIII. 31.) and directive of the Minister of Internal Affairs 49/2004. The law defines a firearm as having muzzle energy that exceeds . A firearms license may be granted to those over the age of 18 who have no criminal convictions or mental disability, and have passed a basic firearms theory/practical examination. Three categories of firearms ownership are allowed: Hunting (Firearms restricted to bolt action rifles and double barrel shotguns), Sports shooting (only restriction is no fully automatic firearms), Self defense (special permission from the Police, very rarely granted in special cases e.g. gun shop owners). Sports shooting has in recent years gained popularity with the number of sports category licenses being issued steadily climbing. Government initiatives to popularize shooting sports such as building shooting ranges and introducing shooting as a sport in the schooling system has slowly begun. It is generally expected that obtaining (and keeping) a firearms permit is a slow and somewhat costly process, but once a permit is granted and the necessary yearly memberships are paid, yearly doctors certificates are obtained and the mandatory 2–3 sporting events are attended (for sports shooter) ownership is fairly liberal as to the type of firearm one can own. In 2010, there were 129,000 registered gun owners (1.3% of the population) in Hungary with 235,000 firearms. The majority of these were hunting rifles. Gun violence is very rare in Hungary. Crime with firearms is very rare and this statistic usually includes crimes committed with non-lethal "pepper spray" guns. Police use lethal force with a firearm less than 10 times per year, on average.
Iceland In
Iceland, a license is required to own or possess firearms. A national government safety course must be passed before applying for a license. A special license is required to own a handgun, which may only be used for target shooting at a licensed range. Semi-automatic firearms have caliber restrictions, while fully automatic firearms are only permitted for collectors. Applicants must sit through a mandatory four-hour lecture on the "history and physics of the firearm". Approximately one gun is owned for every three people in the country, being used mostly for hunting and competitive shooting. From January to July 2019, 394 shotguns, 785 rifles, and 208 handguns were registered in Iceland. In total, police counts for guns in Iceland include about 40,000 shotguns, 25,000 rifles, and 3,600 handguns as of July that year. which was amended by several following acts in 1964, 1968, 1971, 1990, 1998 and 2000. The cumulative effect of these modifications, along with modifications in other acts and confusion over which amendments applied, resulted in a 2006 Irish Law Reform Commission recommendation that all extant legislation be restated (written in a single document with all prior Acts repealed). However, the Criminal Justice Act 2006, contained a rewriting almost 80% of the Firearms Act. It was quickly followed by amendments in 2007 and further major amendments in 2009, exacerbating the legislative confusion. the Law Reform Commission recommendation has not as yet been fully enacted; the Firearms Act consists of the initial 1925 Act amended by approximately twenty separate Acts and is well understood by only a handful of those directly involved in its drafting, amendment or usage. Extensive complaints have arisen over the application of the legislation, with several hundred judicial review cases won in the High Court and Supreme Court by firearms owners, all relating to licensing decisions which had not adhered to the Firearms Act.
Italy In Italy, national police issues gun licenses to those over the age of 18 without criminal record, who are not mentally ill or known to use illicit substances, and who can prove competence with firearm safety. A shooting sports license allows to transport unloaded firearms and firing them in designated shooting ranges. A hunting license allows holders to engage in hunting with firearms. A concealed carry license allows a person to carry a loaded firearm in public, and requires proving a "valid reason" to do so (e.g. a security guard or a jeweller at risk of robbery). All weapons must be registered within 72 hours from the moment of purchase. The number of firearms an individual may own and retain at the place declared during registration is limited to: • Unlimited weapons suitable for hunting. These are defined as smoothbore or rifled firearms having a barrel length of at least 30 centimetres and a total length of at least 60 centimetres. In the case of smoothbores the caliber must not be greater than 12 gauge, while in the case of rifles it must not be smaller than 5.6 millimetres measured between the lands, with a casing length no shorter than 40 millimetres if the caliber is exactly equal to 5.6 millimetres. • Twelve long or short firearms classified as suited for shooting sports by the Italian national proof house at the request of a sport association federated with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI). • Three weapons whose characteristics do not make them suitable for hunting and that have not been classified as suitable for sporting. • Eight antique firearms (manufactured before 1890). • An unlimited quantity of single shot muzzle-loading functioning replicas of firearms built before 1890. • Unlimited quantity of Moderate Offensive Capacity (<7,5 Joule) air guns. The last two can be purchased in an authorized firearm shop by anyone who can prove to be at least 18 years old, without the need for a license. The carrying of such weapons is forbidden without a licence and no registration is required (Art. 7 c.4 DM 362/2001). These limits can be exceeded with a collector license. Ammunition: any licence allows the owner to keep 200 rounds of handgun and 1500 rounds of hunting ammunition or up to 5 kg of gunpowder (smokeless or black) to handload cartridges. Registration is required within 72 hours from acquisition for all ammunition and powder. Registration is not to be repeated if ammunition and powder are used and then bought again, unless the original quantity registered is being exceeded with the new purchase. Smoothbore cartridges not loaded with slugs but instead with shot (regardless of its size) can be owned without registration if the number possessed is inferior to one thousand.
Lithuania Luxembourg In
Luxembourg, anyone wishing to purchase, possess or use a firearm must hold a permit issued by the Minister of Justice in person. The most common reasons for applying for a permit are hunting, recreational shooting, weapons collecting, and inheriting a firearm. Anyone who inherits a firearm must have a permit even if they have no intention to ever touch or use the gun.
Malta Firearms are allowed in Malta for sport shooting, collection and hunting purposes. To get firearm license one must join a shooting or collectors club for training, which will issue a recommendation letter for the police, after which applicant must pass knowledge of firearm safety and the Arms Act. After successfully completing every step one will get license. There are 102,610 registered firearms (or 22 per 100 people), including 56,000 shotguns, 10,553 pistols, 7,856 rifles, 5,369 revolvers, 501 machine guns, 477 sub-machine guns, 633 combat shotguns, 22 cannons, 7 humane killers and 2 rocket launchers. Law allow carrying firearms while hunting, with 10,544 licensed to do so on land and 247 on sea. People with felonies, drug addictions, and mental illnesses may not possess firearms. To be a collector one has to limit oneself to a specific area of expertise and demonstrate a serious and thorough knowledge of that area, for instance through publications or lectures. Once obtained, firearms must be stored in a safe and are inspected annually by the police (every 3 years when over 25). Legally owned firearms may only be used in self-defence as a last resort.
Norway Firearm ownership in Norway is controlled by laws passed by the
Norwegian Parlament, with further regulations passed by the
Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The
National Police Directorate can issue government circulars with further in depth definition of how the firearm regulations should be interpreted (by the police). The
Norwegian police can issue firearms licenses to those with a hunting license or members of a sports shooting club. They can also issue licenses to
Norwegian historical weapons society collectors, museums,
international ship and port facility security and more. Hunters can own up to 8 firearms, and sports shooters can own up to two firearms per approved shooting disciplines as defined by The
National Police Directorate. The purchase of ammunition is restricted to those with a valid firearms license for any given calibre.
Long guns must have a minimum barrel length of 40 centimetres and an overall length of 84 centimetres when operable. Rifles are restricted to 10-round magazines, shotguns to 5 rounds, and pistols to 20 rounds per default. Detachable box magazines for semi-automatic shotguns are prohibited. Hunters can own semi-automatic and manually loaded rifles and shotguns. Semi-automatic rifles for hunting shall only accept detachable 10-round magazines or smaller ones. They must also have the visual appearance of a "
hunting rifle" (i.e. no detachable
pistol-grip, or
handguard that covers the top half of the barrel). Sports shooters can own semi-automatic and manually loaded rifles, shotguns and pistols. Sports shooters can apply for unrestricted magazine capacity for each firearm used in an approved sports shooting discipline. However, in practice, it is only approved for rifles and pistols. Civilians are not permitted to transport/carry firearms loaded or in a manner that allows for easy access in public places, effectively prohibiting any form of
concealed or open-carrying of firearms. Moreover, self-defence is not a valid reason for having a firearms licence issued. Firearms licences are only issued for hunting and sporting (or other speciality purposes not generally applicable to ordinary civilians).
Poland Gun ownership in
Poland is regulated by the Weapons and Munitions Act of 1999 as further amended. A permit is required to own or possess firearms. Permits are granted for specific purposes, such as self-defense, sport, hunting, collecting etc. and are except the ones for self-defense, which are . Institutional permits allow for firearm ownership by private security companies, shooting ranges, sport clubs etc. Permits are issued to permanent residents over 21, not addicted to alcohol or other substances, having no criminal record, being in good physical and mental health, who passed an exam before sporting association, hunting association or the
Police. Permits specify the purposes, categories and quantities of allowed guns; categories depend on permit purpose while quantities are assigned at the discretion of the Police, based on documentation provided. Quantities can be increased when one uses up all available slots. Carrying loaded guns is allowed on all types of permits except permits for collecting and memorial purposes. Hunters can carry loaded only on hunting grounds. Guns shall be carried concealed in a holster close to the body. Carrying in public transport is limited only to self-defense permit holders. It is prohibited to carry while intoxicated, and when attending public gatherings or mass events. Everyone, including foreigners, is allowed to use legal guns at registered shooting ranges, regardless of actual gun's ownership, e.g. rented from the range or shared by a legal owner present. Discharging a firearm for training or leisure out of a registered shooting range (even on a large private property) is prohibited. Full-auto or select-fire firearms are permitted only on institutional and training permits. Since 2020 the Police can issue permits for firearms with suppressors for hunting, but only to be used for sanitary shootings, see
main article for details. Armor-piercing, incendiary, tracer and other special ammunition is banned. Only valid permit holders are allowed to buy or possess live ammunition, and only of the types exactly matching the guns they legally own. The quantity of matching ammunition in possession is not limited. Hunters, collectors and sport shooters are allowed to manufacture (reload) ammunition, but strictly for their own use. There are further limits regarding allowed types and calibers depending on the purpose of the permit – see main article for details. There are no limits of magazine capacity, except when hunting. Replicas of cartridgeless black powder firearms designed before 1885 require no permit to own. However, a separate bill of law allows businesses to sell black powder to licensed customers only. This is often circumvented by obtaining a
European Firearms Pass for a black powder firearm, asking a licensed colleague (there are no restrictions of private sale or just giving out of black powder) or by buying powder in neighboring countries, mostly the
Czech Republic. Air guns up to 17
Joules of muzzle energy are unregulated. Air guns above that limit are considered pneumatic weapons, no permit is required but the owner has to be 18 and has to pass medical and psychological evaluation as for firearms permit; guns must be registered with the Police and may be used only on registered shooting ranges. Use of pneumatic weapons outside of shooting range is considered the same kind of offense as using firearms. Some other weapons are restricted and require a permit, such as
electroshock weapons with mean current greater than 10 mA, large
pepper spray dispensers,
crossbows, specific kinds of batons,
brass knuckles and
nunchakus, however ban on nuchakus is not enforced.
Romania Gun ownership in
Romania is regulated by Law 295/2004. Romania has one of the toughest gun ownership laws in the world. In order for citizens to obtain a
weapon, they must obtain a permit from the police, and must register their weapon once they purchase it. There are several categories of permits, with different requirements and rights, including hunting permits, self-defense permits, sports shooting permits and collectors permits. The only categories of people who are legally entitled to carry a weapon are owners of self-defense permits, magistrates,
MPs, military forces and certain categories of diplomats. A
psychological evaluation is required beforehand in all cases. Furthermore, knives and daggers may in certain conditions (blade longer than 15 cm and at least 0.4 cm in width, double edge along the whole blade, etc.) be considered weapons and have a similar regime to those of firearms. In order for a hunter to obtain a hunting/gun ownership license, he must spend a certain "practice time" with a professional hunter. To obtain a self-defense permit, one must be under witness protection. Sporting and collectors licenses require membership in a sport shooting club or collectors' association, respectively. The amount of ammunition that can be owned is regulated by permit type. Sporting permits allow the ownership of 1,000 matching cartridges per gun; hunting permits allow 300 matching cartridges per gun; self-defense permits allow 50 bullet cartridges and 50 blanks per gun; Collectors permits do not allow for private ownership of ammunition. Explosive weapons and ammunitions, fully automatic weapons, weapons camouflaged in the shape of another object, armor-piercing ammunition and lethal weapons that do not fit in any category defined by the law are prohibited. The type of gun is also regulated by permit. Below is a shortened version of the table detailing the restrictions by type of lethal weapon and permit, for civilian owners. Note that for collectors, short weapons designed after 1945 are forbidden, while only non-lethal weapons are allowed for self-defense permits. It is illegal to use or carry weapons with a muzzle velocity of over 10 kJ if "the barrel is fitted with devices conceived or adapted to reduce recoil" :Note that there are other restrictions for obtaining weapons under a sports-shooting license. :Minors (14 and older) may also use a weapon, provided that they are under the supervision of someone who has a gun license. However, they cannot own or carry one until the age of 18. :The use of guns for self-defense is only allowed if the gun is a last resort option.
Slovakia Gun ownership in
Slovakia is regulated principally by law 190/2003 (law of weapons and ammunition). A firearms license may be issued to an applicant at least 21 years of age (18 years for category D if they own a valid hunting permit, 15 years for state representative in sport-shooting), with no criminal history, and of sound health and mind, who has a valid reason for owning a gun, passes an oral exam covering aspects of gun law, safe handling, and first aid. Licenses are issued in 6 categories: • Category A: Concealed carry for self-defense • Category B: Home self-defense • Category C: Possession for work purposes • Category D: Long guns for hunting • Category E: Possession for sport shooting • Category F: Collecting A concealed carry license is only issued if the police deem a sufficient justification. Because of that issue of this license is may-issue in practice, and vary
across Slovakia by stance of individual police department issuing licence. It is kind of
similar to California, some department is almost shall-issue, another need true sufficient reason (like a constant more than average threat, previous assaults on applicant, transports of money, former service in army or law enforcement, legal awareness of applicant, clientelism). Only about 2% of the adult population holds this license. There is an exception for non-repeating muzzle-loaded firearms, which may be purchased without a license.
Slovenia Gun ownership in
Slovenia is regulated under the "Weapons Law" (Zakon o orožju) which is harmonised with the directives of the EU. Gun permits are issued to applicants at least 18 years old, reliable, without criminal history and who has not been a
conscientious objector, who passes a medical exam and a test on firearm safety. A specific reason must be given for gun ownership: for hunting or target shooting, the applicant must provide proof of membership in a hunting or sports shooting organization; for collection, the applicant must arrange safe storage with a level of security dependent on the type of weapons; for self-defense, the applicant must prove a risk to personal safety to such an extent that a weapon is needed. As in most EU member states, the ownership of Category A firearms is prohibited; however these can be owned by weapon collectors, providing that requirements are met.
Suppressors are legal and unregulated since 2021. Firearms must be stored in a locked cabinet with ammunition stored separately. Concealed carry is allowed in special circumstances. A gun permit is also required for airguns with muzzle velocity greater than or energy of .
Spain Firearm regulation in Spain is restrictive, enacted in Citizen Security Protection Organic Act of 2015 and the Weapons Regulation (Royal Decree 137/1993). Both laws are covered by article 149.1.26.ª of the
Spanish Constitution, which attributes to the State the exclusive competence in terms of the "regime of production, trade, possession and use of weapons and explosives". A firearm license may be obtained from the
Guardia Civil after passing a police background check, a physiological and medical test, and a practical and theoretical exam. Shotgun, rifle and sporting licenses must be renewed after 5 years, subject to firearm inspection. Sporting licence requires to present proof of sporting activity of at least one competition each year. A minimum score may be required for some categories. Police may inspect firearms at any time. A self-defense and concealed carry license must be renewed every year, and is only available under special conditions. A license-holder may own up to 6 shotguns, and unlimited rifles. With a sporting license, valid for 5 years, 1 to 10 handguns may be owned, depending on sports-shooting level. Magazine capacity for semi-automatic centerfire rifles and semi-automatic shotguns is limited to 10 rounds for sports shooting and 2 rounds for hunting. Handgun magazines are limited to 20 round capacity. Rimfire rifles, regardless of type have no magazine limit. Rifles chambered for certain cartridges with military origins are prohibited, such as .223/5.56 NATO and .50 BMG. The .308 Winchester and 7.62x39 mm (AK round) cartridges are only permitted in bolt-action, repetition or single-shot firearms. Proof of ownership of an approved safe is required for all centerfire rifles and handguns, and the owner is responsible for firearm thefts. Ammunition must be stored separately. Rifle and handgun ammunition may only be possessed for legally owned firearms, and purchases and possession is limited to 200 rounds rifle and 100 rounds for handguns. In addition, there are yearly limits in quantity (1000 for rifles,100 for handguns); however additional quantities can be petitioned, mainly for sporting use. For shotgun Ammunition, adults with a valid ID can purchase/possess up to 5,000 shells and there are no yearly limits in quantity. License-holders are only allowed to transport their unloaded firearms from their residence to the shooting range or hunting field and back, with no detours. Firearms may only be discharged at approved shooting ranges or hunting grounds (in season). There are firearm license for private security for handguns and rifles. These cannot be used outside of work and must be stored in the workplace premises (with approved safe). In addition there are handgun license for self-defense in concealed carry. However, this is granted on a "may issue" basis with several standards of necessity to be met and very few are granted. This license must be renewed annually and is not automatic. Members of police forces and officers and non-commissioned officers of the armed forces have a special firearms license which encompasses all of the others. There are additional licenses for collectors and muzzle-loading firearms.
Sweden Gun ownership in
Sweden is regulated by Vapenlagen 1996:67 (literally, The Weapon Law), modified by weapon decree Vapenförordningen 1996:70 and FAP 551-3 / RPSFS 2009:13. The
police issue licenses to persons older than 18 years in good standing on the "need to have" basis, which generally implies either hunting or sport shooting. Passing a hunting examination or membership in an approved sport shooting club for six months is required. Sport shooting licenses must be renewed every 5 years, whereas hunting licenses are valid for the lifetime of the holder. License-holders may lend a weapon to a person at least 15 years of age for supervised use. A separate license is required for each particular firearm or caliber conversion kit. There's no codified limit on the number of licenses a person can hold, but in practice a license-holder may own up to six hunting rifles, ten handguns, or a mix of eight rifles and handguns. Firearms must be stored in an approved safe. A firearm registered for hunting may be used for sport shooting, but not vice versa. In 2023, previous restrictions on hunting licenses for semi-automatic firearms based on appearance or military origin were lifted, and as a result the only remaining restrictions specific to hunting are a minimum total weapon length exceeding 60 cm and magazine size on semi-automatic rifles and magazine-fed shotguns. Licenses for fully automatic weapons are not generally issued, with limited exceptions for collection and sport shooting using the WWII era
m/45 submachine gun. Starting 1 July 2022, suppressors no longer require a separate license and can be freely acquired by anyone with a valid gun license and can be legally used both for hunting and target shooting. Self-defense with firearms, as well as carry, is generally prohibited. Carry permits can be issued by the police under very special circumstances like an immediate and demonstrable threat to life. Transportation of unloaded firearms is allowed to and from approved shooting ranges or hunting grounds. Sweden is notorious for having even pepper spray and other nonlethal self-defence methods under its weapons law with similar legal punishments for misuse. Firearm collectors must have a clearly stated demarcation of their interest in collecting (e.g.: pre-World War II British handguns). The police may demand security measures on keeping the collection. Collectors may request a time-limited permit to discharge their weapons. Firearms manufactured before 1890 and not using sealed cartridges are exempt from the weapon law.
Switzerland Firearm regulations in Switzerland are comparatively liberal. Swiss gun laws are primarily about the acquisition of arms, and not ownership. As such a license is not required to own a gun by itself, but a shall-issue permit is required to purchase most types of firearms. Bolt-action rifles do not require an acquisition permit, and can be acquired with just a background check. The Swiss have
male conscription for military service. A 2011 referendum to force military weapons to be kept at military sites was defeated. Weapons may voluntarily be kept in the local armory and there is no longer an obligation to keep the weapon at home. The Swiss "Federal Law on Arms, Arms Accessories and Ammunitions" (WG, LArm) of 20 June 1997 has as its objectives (Article 1) to combat the wrongful use of arms, their accessories, parts and ammunition. It governs the acquisition of arms, their introduction into Swiss territory, export, storage, possession, carrying, transport, and brokerage. It regulates the manufacture and trade in arms, and seeks to prevent the wrongful carrying of ammunition and dangerous objects. Article 3 states that "The right to acquire, possess and carry arms is guaranteed in the framework of this law".
Georgia In
Georgia, civilians above 18 years of age may obtain a firearm permit from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, allowing them to purchase and keep firearms for hunting and sports (pump-action shotguns, hunting rifles, carbines, combined hunting firearms), self-defense (handguns, air guns, sprays, electric tranquilizers) or collections. Permits are denied to persons who are mentally ill, use illicit substances or alcohol recreationally, and those who have criminal records.
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan has strict gun laws, heavily regulating civilian firearm ownership. Only shotguns and hunting rifles are generally permitted for civilians, while handguns and automatic weapons are prohibited. To own a firearm, individuals must be at least 18 years old (21 for some weapons), pass a background check, undergo medical and psychological evaluations, and complete firearm safety training. Guns must be stored securely, and carrying them in public is restricted. Self-defense firearms, such as non-lethal weapons (e.g., rubber-bullet guns), are allowed under specific conditions. The government maintains strict oversight, with periodic license renewals and inspections. As of 2016, there were about 284,000 (or 1.6 per 100 people) registered firearms in Kazakhstan according to the government data.
Monaco Law in Monaco divides firearms into two categories: • Category "A" weapons including hand guns, semi-automatic firearms and those firing
centerfire ammunition require membership in the Monaco Rifle Club, a certificate of aptitude and handling for the requested weapon, and no past history of treatment in a psychiatric unit; • Category "B" weapons are hunting weapons that do not require licensing unless they are imported.
North Macedonia To obtain a firearm license in North Macedonia one must be at least 18 years old, able-bodied, healthy, not representing danger to public order, have permanent residency, possess technical knowledge of weapons and regulations related to them and have a justified reason for acquiring the weapon. Justified reasons include: • Proving one's life or property is in danger; • Being an active member of hunting or archery associations and passing a specific hunting exam; • Being a weapons collector; • Legally inheriting a weapon; • Weapons having been granted as awards by the state or during archery competitions. Fully automatic firearms are prohibited. Carrying firearms in public places is prohibited. North Macedonia has its own defense industry with ATS Group, Eurokompozit Prilep
Russia Russian citizens over 21 years of age can obtain a firearms license after attending gun safety classes and passing a federal test and background check. Firearms may be acquired for self-defense, hunting, or sports activities. Carry permits may be issued for hunting firearms licensed for hunting purposes. Initially, purchases are limited to long
smooth-bore firearms and
pneumatic weapons with a muzzle energy of up to . After five years of shotgun ownership, rifles may be purchased. Handguns are generally not allowed (except
traumatic handguns which are allowed for self-defense but can fire only cartridges with
rubber bullets), but with the growing popularity of practical shooting events and competitions in Russia in recent years (e.g. IPSC), handgun ownership has now been allowed and the handguns have to be stored at a shooting club. Rifles and shotguns with barrels shorter than are prohibited, as are firearms which shoot in bursts or have more than a 10-cartridge capacity. Suppressors are prohibited.
Serbia Serbia has weapon laws and ranks third in
guns per capita with a strong gun culture, especially in rural areas, with about one million guns in legal circulation. Weapons are regulated by the Weapons and Ammunition Law (
Zakon o oružju i municiji). People over age 18 may own firearms with a permit, which is denied to those with a criminal history, mental disorder, or history of alcohol or illegal substance use. There is a thorough background check with police having the final decision. Firearms must be stored in a designated gun cabinet, and may be confiscated by police if the owner is found irresponsible. Rifles, shotguns and handguns may be owned with an appropriate permit. Having a permit to own a firearm does not itself allow the bearer to carry the firearm anywhere outside the home, regardless of whether it is concealed or not. The owner may transport their firearms at any time provided they are unloaded. Concealed carry permits for handguns require proving an imminent threat, with the police making a final decision. Therefore, concealed carry permits are hard to obtain. There is no limit on the number of firearms one may own, though every gun transaction is recorded by the police. There is no caliber restriction. Fully automatic firearms and suppressors are prohibited for civilians. Automatic long firearms are allowed to be obtained and used by legal entities under special circumstances. People over 18 years of age can buy and carry stun guns and electric tranquilizers with no permit needed. People over 16 can carry OC sprays. There is no restriction regarding the number of rounds that may be purchased. Ammunition may be bought only for the caliber in which an owned firearm is chambered. Reloading is allowed only to those who have passed an exam in handling explosive materials. Old firearms (produced before 1900), historically significant firearms, as well as black powder firearms (all category C items) may be bought without any permit. Serbia has its own civilian gun and ammunition industry:
Zastava Arms,
Prvi Partizan, and
Krušik.
Turkey Turkey is restrictive in terms of gun control statutes. Civilians in Turkey need to get a license from the police or gendarmerie to own and use firearms, and these licenses last for 5 years. Licenses are available for shotguns (including semi-automatic ones), rifles (bolt-action, lever-action, and some semi-automatics), and handguns. To get a license, you must: • Be at least 21 years old, • Be a Turkish citizen or permanent resident, • Have a valid medical report signed by a group of doctors, • Have no criminal record or unpaid taxes, and • Pay the required fees. As of 2024, fully automatic and short-barreled shotguns are banned. There are no restrictions on magazine size, caliber, or optics for handguns. Some semi-automatic rifles can be owned with a rifle permit, but they are uncommon in the market. Semi-auto rifles typically come in .22LR or 9mm calibers with magazines holding up to 15 rounds. Fully automatic rifles are not allowed for civilians, with very rare exceptions. Shotgun licenses automatically include a permit to carry or transport the shotgun, but it must be unloaded and covered. Handgun concealed carry permits and rifle carry licenses are harder to get and require a valid reason, like personal protection or hunting. Applicants must show proof of this reason, such as a life threat (approved by the governor) or belonging to specific professions like: • Company board members/directors (with certain criteria), • Jewelers, gas station operators, or bank managers, • Lawyers, commercial pilots, or ship captains, • Herders, shooting range operators, or foreign exchange bureau owners, • Notaries, contractors/developers, or people working with explosives, • Beekeepers, licensed journalists, or rural landowners. Getting a handgun concealed carry permit is expensive, and each firearm requires a separate carry license. Handgun carry licenses are legally unlimited, but obtaining multiple permits is rare. Rifles can only be carried with a hunting license and for hunting purposes; hunting with semi-automatic rifles is not allowed. Carry licenses usually need renewal every 5 years. High-powered and tactical semi-automatic rifles are mostly banned for civilians, with very few exceptions. Spare parts for these weapons, especially barrels, are hard to find and replace. In Turkey, most shooting ranges are indoors and only allow handguns. People with possession licenses need to get a transportation permit from the local police for each trip to the range. However, those with concealed carry licenses do not need such permits. Shotguns and rifles (for carry license holders) can be used for target shooting outside urban and residential areas. This must be done at least 500 meters away from homes and only with the landowner's permission. To hunt with shotguns or rifles, a hunting license is required. Licensed armed security personnel, such as those protecting valuable assets, VIPs, critical infrastructure, airports, banks, or high-risk events, can carry semi-automatic and fully automatic weapons, including submachine guns, but only while on duty. In rural areas, over 50,000 civilians are authorized as "Security Guards" or "Village Guards" to protect against terrorists and looters. This role allows them to carry selective-fire firearms for this specific purpose. These weapons and equipment are usually provided by the military and remain government property. Public servants, including police officers, military personnel, judges, public prosecutors, and senior politicians, have a lifelong right to apply for free handgun and rifle carry licenses. These licenses are issued on a guaranteed basis. All police officers can carry an unlimited number of handguns and rifles with a carry license. Military officers are allowed up to five handguns and two rifles, while generals are not limited by these rules. Mayors, deputies, ministers, and presidents automatically receive lifetime carry licenses without paying any fees. Some other government employees, such as forest rangers, village headmen, customs officers, judges, and prosecutors, also have lifetime carry licenses. Unlike civilians, public servants (active or retired) do not need to renew their medical certificates every five years. Turkey has a large shotgun industry, and shotguns are widely available and easy to purchase. Getting a shotgun license is simpler and cheaper compared to handgun or rifle licenses. It requires a clean bill of health, a clear criminal record, and no outstanding tax debt. One shotgun license allows ownership of up to five shotguns. Spare parts are widely available, and rebarreling is both easy and legal. Shotguns are much more affordable due to open market conditions and competition among numerous national and international brands, unlike rifles and handguns, which are sold exclusively through the government-controlled monopoly,
MKEK. We Will Stop Femicide Platform (KCDP) has called for gun law to be tightened.
Ukraine there are no restrictions on ownership of any types of weapons, in fact the Ukrainian government has given out thousands of
military grade weapons to its populace. This is due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Ukraine is the only European country without firearms legislation. Regulation is by executive fiat; specifically, Order No. 622 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. A firearm license may be issued to citizens who meet an age requirement (21 for shotguns, 18 for shotguns for hunting purposes, and 25 for rifles), have no criminal record or history of domestic violence or mental illness and have a specific reason such as target shooting, hunting or collecting. Handguns of .22, 9 mm, .357 magnum and .38 caliber are permitted only for target shooting and those who can prove a threat against their lives (who are typically also given concealed carry permits). All firearms must be stored unloaded in a safe. Citizens wishing to purchase weapons must complete courses on the fundamentals of Ukrainian legislation on weapons, their technical design and rules for the safe handling of weapons, as well as practical shooting. The organization of relevant courses is assigned to the internal affairs bodies. In order to obtain a weapon permit, citizens submit an application in the prescribed form, a certificate of completion of relevant courses, undergo a medical examination, an inspection of the internal affairs agencies and pass a test on the fundamentals of current legislation and rules for handling weapons and their application skills. Article 263 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code says that for illegal carrying, storing and selling firearms, explosives and ammunition a person faces from 3 to 7 years in prison. Weapon permits are not issued, and issued ones are canceled if there are: • Certificates (conclusions) of the medical institution that a person cannot own a weapon for health reasons; • The court's decision to declare him incompetent, partially capable, or to lead missing; • Information about the systematic violations by the person of the rules of arms trafficking, public order, being registered and treated for alcohol use disorder, use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a doctor's prescription; • Court verdict on conviction of a person to imprisonment; • Outstanding or not removed in the prescribed manner of conviction for serious crimes, as well as crimes committed with the use of weapons or explosive devices; • Court rulings on the direction to serve deprivation of liberty, conditionally convicted with a delay in the execution of the sentence, or a court ruling on the replacement of the unmerited term of correctional labor with a sentence of imprisonment. The list of diseases and physical defects, in the presence of which a weapon permit is not issued, is approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Foreigners have the right to purchase civilian weapons of ammunition and ammunition for permits issued by the internal affairs bodies on the basis of petitions from diplomatic missions or consular offices of the states of which they are citizens, as well as ministries and other central executive authorities of Ukraine, subject to the export of such weapons from Ukraine later than 5 days after purchase. Foreigners who have received certificates of permanent residence in Ukraine have the right to purchase weapons in the manner established for citizens of Ukraine. Hunting and sporting weapons can be imported by foreigners into Ukraine with the appropriate permission of the internal affairs bodies and hunting agreements made with hunting farms or inviting ministries and other central executive authorities to participate in sports competitions. leading to an outright ban on automatic firearms and many semi-automatic firearms. Breech-loading handguns are also tightly controlled. The Firearms Act 1968 sets out three main types of firearm that require different licences: • Section 1 firearms require a firearms certificate (FAC), and includes any article that can be defined as a firearm but which is not covered under some other section. Section 1 most commonly includes bolt-action rifles, semi-automatic rifles in
rimfire only, long-barrelled pistols, and all shotguns that do not conform to section 2 requirements. There are additional requirements for both sections, such as length and ammunition type, and some accessories such as suppressors are also subject to licensing restrictions. • Section 2 firearms are shotguns with a maximum magazine capacity of two cartridges, excluding those in the chamber, and require a Shotgun Certificate (SGC); unlike the other licences, the onus is on the police to find good reason not to grant applicants a licence. • Section 5 firearms are generally prohibited from private ownership. A S.5 permit may be obtained under certain circumstances, but from the
Home Office, rather than local Police. Firearms prohibited under Section 5 include fully automatic firearms; semi-automatic and pump action rifled firearms other than those chambered for .
22 rimfire cartridges; breechloading short firearms (less than 30cm barrel length or less than 60cm overall length); rifled firearms not chambered for .22 rimfire cartridges which automatically eject spent cartridges (lever and button release rifles); rocket launchers and mortars (other than for line throwing or pyrotechnic use); firearms disguised as another object; ammunition designed to explode on impact. • Section 7 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 permits bona-fide collectors to obtain handguns prohibited under Section 5(aba) on the authority of local Police, rather than the Home Office. Section 7(1) enables handguns manufactured before 1919 and chambered in a 'not readily available' calibre to be held on a firearms certificate. Handguns held by virtue of Section 7(1) may only be held as part of a collection and may not be fired. Section 7(3) enables handguns of
"of particular rarity, aesthetic quality or technical interest" or
"of historical importance" to be held on a firearms certificate. Section 7(3) firearms may be fired but must be kept at Designated Sites. Handguns held on firearms certificates by virtue of Section 7 are typically granted only to those with a demonstrable academic background in firearm or military history, such as members of the Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association (HBSA). An SGC allows the holder to purchase and own any number of shotguns, so long as they can be securely stored, and does not restrict purchase or storage of ammunition; additionally they may legally give shotgun ammunition to non-licence holders. Section 1 and 5 firearms require individual permission for each firearm, and there are restrictions as to the type and quantity of ammunition held. Aside from Northern Ireland, private ownership of most handguns was banned in 1997, with exception for section 5 firearms licences, which are only generally issued to maritime security personnel, and those under police protection. In the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games, British Shooting reached agreement with the Home Office to nominate a small number of elite athletes who could keep and train with Section 5 pistols in the UK at designated ranges. There are several factors that may disqualify applicants. A custodial sentence of between three months and three years disqualifies applicants for five years from release; three years or greater disqualifies applicants for life. "Intemperate habits", such as substance use, may disqualify applicants. Being of "unsound mind", meaning a history of mental illness, or other relevant medical conditions may disqualify applicants, however there are no conditions that "make them automatically unsuitable to possess a firearm", and police will contact the applicant's
general practitioner, who place a flag on the records of all licence holders. Applicants must also have suitable measures for storing firearms and ammunition, such as a gun safe. The FAC additionally requires demonstrating a good reason for each firearm the applicant wishes to own (such as hunting, pest control, collecting, or target shooting). Self-defence is only accepted as a good reason in
Northern Ireland. ==Oceania==