Gun laws in a global comparison: What applies in which country?

After the school shooting in Graz, which left eleven people dead, Austrian gun laws were criticized for being too liberal. The 21-year-old gunman only needed a valid gun license to legally own his weapons – even though he had previously been discharged from the Austrian Armed Forces as mentally unstable. The Austrian government has since tightened gun laws and, for example, introduced psychological tests for certain weapon categories.

In other countries such as Germany, Great Britain, and Japan, it is significantly more difficult or almost impossible for private individuals to legally own a firearm. In the USA and Switzerland, by contrast, the hurdles are significantly lower. An international comparison.

Following the Graz shooting, the government raised the minimum age for purchasing particularly dangerous weapons from 21 to 25. The psychological tests that potential gun buyers must complete will also be given new, much greater importance. In the future, data exchange between the Austrian Armed Forces and weapons authorities will also be possible in order to better and more quickly detect any irregularities.

Category C weapons can be purchased and owned in Austria from the age of 18 without proof of suitability. These include rifles that must be manually reloaded after each shot. These weapons only need to be registered in the Central Weapons Register.

A firearms possession card (WBK) is the basic requirement for the acquisition and possession of Category B firearms – these include revolvers, pistols and certain semi-automatic firearms.

What motivated the 21-year-old who allegedly shot ten people at a high school in Graz? There seem to be some clues.

Category B and C weapons are prohibited from being carried in public. A firearms license is also required. Weapons classified as war material or prohibited weapons (Category A) are prohibited.

Anyone applying for a gun license in Austria must be an EU citizen residing in the country. A justification for gun ownership is also required. However, the desire for self-protection in one's own home is sufficient.

Applicants must also demonstrate their ability to properly handle firearms, typically through a training certificate from a firearms dealer, often referred to as a "firearms license." The training, which includes a psychological assessment, lasts approximately four hours with some providers and costs approximately €400.

Anyone who wants to own a firearm in Germany must meet stricter requirements than in other countries. German gun laws are regulated by the Weapons Act. It distinguishes between a gun ownership card and a firearms license, which authorizes the carrying of a firearm in public.

There is no general right to gun ownership in this country. Anyone wishing to legally purchase a firearm from a licensed gun dealer or gunsmith requires a gun ownership license and must demonstrate reliability, expertise, and a legitimate need—as a hunter or sports shooter. Private sales are only permitted among licensed gun owners and must be reported to the firearms authorities.

A gun license is required if you want to carry a weapon outside your home, for example. This permit—also called a "large gun license"—is only granted in exceptional cases, such as when there is proven danger. A "small gun license" is required for blank-firing or irritant weapons, which is also subject to strict conditions.

Much has been reported about the gunman in Graz. But who are the people who lost their lives as a result of his actions?

In France, there is a four-tier classification system for legal gun ownership. Fully automatic rifles and war material (Category A) are prohibited. Weapons such as pistols or semi-automatic rifles (Category B) require a permit. To obtain a permit for Category B weapons, applicants must prove they are physically and mentally healthy and have no criminal record.

Category C includes weapons that require registration, such as hunting and sporting rifles. Knives, batons, and blank-firing pistols (Category D) are available under limited conditions. The general rule is: only adults 18 years of age and older may purchase and own weapons. They may not be carried in public, except for exceptions in Category D.

Great Britain has one of the strictest gun laws in Europe. Private ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons is prohibited there. Even the possession of long guns or handguns, which are permitted under certain conditions, requires strict permits and registration. Such exceptions exist, among others, for hunters.

The Firearms Act 1968 forms the basis for the strict gun laws in Great Britain. The law has been tightened several times, particularly after the 1996 Dunblane school shooting, in which a gunman killed 16 children and their teacher.

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Firearms are widespread in Switzerland. Gun laws are very liberal—largely due to the Swiss militia system, which allows active and former military personnel to keep their service weapons at home. To purchase a firearm, all you need is a purchase permit, to be at least 18 years old, and to have no criminal record.

Paintball guns, blank-firing pistols, and hunting rifles are all weapons that must be registered. They can be freely purchased but must be reported to the relevant authorities. Pistols, revolvers, and semi-automatic rifles also require a permit. A firearms purchase permit is required for these. Serial firearms, light machine guns, throwing stars, and brass knuckles are prohibited.

Gun laws in the Czech Republic are more liberal than in many other European countries. The acquisition and possession of weapons, including firearms, is relatively easy under certain conditions, especially if self-defense is stated as the reason. A gun license can be issued if the applicant is of legal age, has no criminal record, and has passed a theoretical and practical examination. The right to own and use weapons has been enshrined in the constitution since 2021.

However, after a shooting spree in Prague that left 14 people dead shortly before Christmas 2023, gun laws were tightened. For example, confiscation of weapons became easier. Gun license holders are now required to undergo a physical examination by a doctor every five years instead of every ten years. However, no parliamentary majority was found to introduce mandatory psychiatric testing.

On December 21, 2023, a 24-year-old student shot 14 people and injured 25 others in a building of the Faculty of Philosophy at Charles University in downtown Prague.

Source: Getty Images

In Slovakia, obtaining a gun license requires, among other things, a psychological test. To obtain a gun license, you must be at least 21 years old and have a clean criminal record. You also need confirmation that you are physically and mentally capable of owning and properly using a firearm. You must also pass an oral exam. Fully automatic machine guns are prohibited.

Unlike in many other countries, weapons are classified according to the reason for ownership rather than the potential danger. People in Category A want to carry the weapon for self-defense, Category B for home protection, and Category C for work purposes. Categories D and E are hunters and sport shooters, respectively. People in Category F are gun collectors.

In Poland, gun ownership is permitted under certain conditions, subject to strict regulations and a comprehensive background check of applicants. The acquisition and possession of weapons require an official permit (gun license), which includes, among other things, a psychological examination and a background check. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and free of criminal records, mental health problems, or alcohol or drug addiction. A psychological assessment and a theoretical and practical exam are mandatory.

The United States is known for its liberal gun laws. The right of every US citizen to own a gun is guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the Constitution and is therefore often referred to as a fundamental right. Various types of firearms are legal for private ownership in the United States, including semi-automatic rifles and pistols.

However, the exact regulations vary greatly among states. Each state has its own gun laws, which can range from relatively liberal to very strict.

All states have an age limit for purchasing and owning firearms, ranging from 18 to 21 years. In some states, semi-automatic rifles are banned altogether, while in others, these weapons are freely available. Only six states prohibit the open carrying of firearms. In 38 states, however, no license or registration is even required for ownership.

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One of the states with particularly liberal gun laws is Nevada. There, guns can be freely purchased from the age of 18. Neither registration nor a license is required to purchase a gun. With a few exceptions, weapons may be carried openly.

The gun lobby in the United States exerts a significant influence on politics. Fundamental tightening of laws at the federal level generally does not occur—even after mass shootings.

Australian gun laws are strict—especially since the changes following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which left 36 people dead. Since then, semi-automatic rifles and pump-action shotguns have been banned for private individuals. Police conduct regular checks on gun owners and their weapons.

A firearms license is required to purchase a firearm, which is only issued under certain conditions. Successful completion of a firearms safety course is mandatory. Applicants must provide evidence of a valid reason for owning or using a firearm, such as hunting, shooting sports, or certain professional activities.

Chinese gun laws are very restrictive. The possession of firearms is generally prohibited. Only in rare cases are exceptions granted for the possession or carrying of firearms, often only for protection against wild animals in remote areas.

During important political events such as the Chinese Communist Party congresses, there may also be general bans on weapons, such as the ban on the sale of knives.

Russian weapons law is very complex. It regulates the possession, manufacture, trade, and use of weapons and ammunition and is defined by a series of laws and regulations.

The possession of pistols and revolvers is generally prohibited for private individuals. The purchase of rifles and shotguns is permitted under certain conditions, such as for hunting or sport shooting.

Gun buyers require a license. Strict requirements apply, such as submitting a psychological assessment and providing proof of a gun safe. Firearms that fire in bursts or have a firing capacity of more than ten rounds are also prohibited.

Gun laws in Japan are among the strictest in the world. The Firearms and Sword Control Act prohibits their possession entirely. Exceptions apply to the police, military, and certain professional groups, such as hunters, who require a special license.

Anyone applying for a firearms license must undergo a series of tests and screenings, including psychological evaluations, police background checks, and drug tests. Licenses must also be renewed regularly, and owners must undergo regular medical examinations.

Gun laws in South Africa are considered to be as strict as those in Germany, and in some cases even stricter – particularly with regard to the requirements for acquiring and using firearms.

In addition, the unlawful possession or handling of firearms is severely punished – either with heavy fines or imprisonment of up to 15 years.