Understanding gun control legislation of different countries

News: The U.S. recently witnessed two episodes of mass shootings in a span of 11 days that killed more than 30 people including elementary school children.

Canada also recently amended its gun control policies.

A look at the laws governing firearms in India, Canada, Japan and New Zealand

What do gun laws in the U.S. say?

The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed”,. It is often attributed as the root cause of all firearm-related violence.

What are the gun laws in other countries?

Canada

– Possessing a fully-automatic weapon, unless registered before 1978, is illegal in Canada.

– Gun licences are valid for five years and the individual of at least 18 years of age is eligible upon completing the Canadian Firearms Safety Course.

– Vetting is undertaken to ensure that the applicant does not have a history of violence or suffering from mental illnesses or was previously barred from the process.

Canada has recently introduced legislation to amend its Firearms Act. It is proposing to institute a ‘national freeze’ on handguns — preventing the sale, purchase, transfer, and import of handguns into Canada.

Japan

Acquiring a gun in Japan is particularly difficult.

One has to present a series of documents, establish their ‘needs’, and undertake an approximately month-long training on handling and safety. One is also required to pass the scrutiny of criminal records and medical health, and then an exam to prove eligibility.

Buying a weapon too requires a separate certification (from the dealer) mentioning the desired model.

Applicants must be 18 years, not suffering from mental illnesses, not have a license revoked less than five years ago, not dependent on alcohol or narcotic substances, and have a fixed residence.

Any violation is punishable with imprisonment.

New Zealand

The turnaround in gun-law legislation in the country came in 2019 following the mass shootings that took place at two mosques in Christchurch.

The legislation now requires firearms dealers to provide license numbers of all its employees at a facility, including those not directly involved in handling any arms but having access to the premises.

It is now also mandatory for all weaponry to have an identification number.

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and undertake training in handling and storing firearms, and pass an exam.

The vetting process requires the applicant to furnish contact details of known people to ascertain that she/he is a ‘fit and proper person’.

India

Gun license applicants in India must be at least 21 years and not convicted of any offense involving violence. Also, the applicant should not be of ‘unsound mind’ or a threat to public safety and peace.

Upon receiving an application, the licensing authority (i.e., the Home Ministry), asks the officer in charge of the nearest police station to submit a report about the applicant after thorough vetting.

The Arms Act amended in 2019 has reduced the number of firearms that an individual can procure from three to two.

Indian laws have specific provisions on curtailing the use of licensed weapons to ensure social harmony.

No entity is permitted to sell or transfer any firearm which does not bear the name of the maker, manufacturer’s number, or any other visible or stamped identification mark.

Any act of conversion (such as shortening the barrel of a firearm or converting an imitation firearm into a firearm) or unlawful import-export is punishable with an imprisonment term of seven years, which may extend to life imprisonment and be liable to monetary fines.

Source: This post is based on the article “Understanding gun control legislation of different countries” published in The Hindu on 2nd June 22.