Weapon legislation varies around the world
Joseph Gomez, Sarah Cheung, and Ben Balster
Staff Writers
March 2017
Staff Writers
March 2017
The United States
JOSEPH GOMEZ Founded on the legacy of an armed revolution, The United States is unique in its stance on guns. In 1791, the Second Amendment granted citizens the legal right to arm themselves.
The accessibility of guns has a noticeable impact on American crime. According to the FBI, “Firearms were used in 71.5 percent of the nation’s murders, 40.8 percent of robberies, and 24.2 percent of aggravated assaults.” Getting rid of guns does not solve every problem. The United Kingdom has stricter laws, for example, and experienced 601 attacks involving acid or other corrosive substances in 2016. Gun violence in the United States is decreasing. The US Department of Justice reports that gun violence dropped 39 percent from 1993 to 2011. It’s up to each U.S. state to decide how citizens are able to exercise their right. Texas is known for its lenient gun laws; no permit or license is necessary. California is far more complex with additional regulations on “assault weapons,” firearms that are considered more threatening. According to The Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Texas was reported in having 3,203 firearm deaths in 2015, whereas California had 3,095. Even in countries with exceptions to the rule, guns are, and will probably always be, a subject of debate in the United States. |
Switzerland
SARAH CHEUNG Switzerland embraces the possession of guns. According to Time, there is an estimated 2.3 million to 4.3 million guns in circulation among eight million Swiss; yet there are about a 10th the amount of homicides committed as in the United States.
Levels of comfort with guns are higher in Switzerland than America largely because the hobby of sharpshooting is taught at the young age of 12. Peter Squires, who has studied international gun violence, describes this as a "culture of support" rather than a focus on individualism. This fosters a sense of social responsibility with weapons that has been passed through generations. Furthermore, casual gun ownership is a result of Switzerland's national identity and duty. This originated in World War II, when nearly all civilians carried guns and were trained to use them in case of an invasion. Due to a gun incident in 2001, the gun law was changed, allowing only those 18 years and older with a permit, a clear criminal record, and no history of mental illness to purchase up to three authorized weapons. Still, guns are a less menacing threat in Swiss society due to the integration of responsible weapon use into their lives. Japan
BEN BALSTER The Japanese Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law of 1958 begins with the phrase “Except under one of the following conditions, no person shall possess any firearm or sword.”
Japan’s strict gun regulation dates back to the end of the Sengoku period during the 17th century. The shogun at the time instituted a ban on civilian possession of swords and firearms. These regulations were continued into the early 18th century. The 20th century saw revisions to the government’s weapon regulation, and after World War II, the allied powers essentially disarmed Japan. In the 21st century, the number of gun related deaths has remained below 100 deaths annually, with recent years seeing between five and 50. In other Asian countries, a tenuous political climate demands a substantial military stockpile. South Korea and Taiwan are two of the top importers of American-produced firearms, These countries and others see low rates of gun violence. Punishment for trafficking, selling, or discharging a gun in Asia varies from a few years in jail and a large fine to death. With these laws, civilians in Asia have lower crime rates. |
The United Kingdom
SARAH CHEUNG In the United Kingdom, to bear arms is not a given right; instead, civilians who wish to do so must go through an arduous process to prove that they aren't a danger to society. Rather than assuming, the government requires that they provide compelling reasons in an application.
Furthermore, the applicant is searched for any evidence of alcohol or drug abuse, and must have a guarded location to keep the weapon. This is all in the government's attempt to inhibit just anyone from owning weapons simply out of desire. Firearms are especially tough to obtain because they are only authorized for specific situations, such as hunting. However, the U.K.'s restrictions on shotguns are more flexible because they are often used in rural settings for the necessity of protecting livestock. According to BBC News, England and Wales have about 138,728 people certified to possess firearms. Scotland has an estimated 26,072 certified civilians. Not only are gun holders scarce, but their privileges can be revoked — between 2008 and 2009, about 1,300 certificates were invalidated. |