GUNS AROUND THE WORLD: The debate over gun control is heating up in the US — here's how other countries around the world regulate them
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The debate in the US over gun control reached a fever pitch following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida that left 17 dead.
Now with the US Congress debating measures to strengthen existing gun laws and President Donald Trump releasing a plan to increase regulations — albeit a less intensive plan than initially promised, it appears legislative action on firearms could move in Congress. Activists throughout the country will march Saturday pushing lawmakers to act as part of what's become known as the March for Our Lives.
As is frequently the case after recent mass shootings, many gun control advocates pointed to other countries around the world as evidence that tighter limits on firearm ownership could reduce gun violence in the US.
It is true that in many countries outside of the US the number of gun deaths per 100,000 people is much lower — though the US is nowhere near the highest rate.
To get a more global perspective on the issue, we asked colleagues from some of Business Insider's international editions to answer a few questions about gun laws in their country.
We asked four questions:
- What is the process like for getting a gun in your country?
- What types of guns are legal?
- What do you think about President Trump's proposal to arm more teachers and trained professionals in schools?
- Does the average person in your area fear the possibility of being the victim of gun violence?
Here are their responses.
Average time it takes to buy a gun around the world
UK
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What is the process like for getting a gun in your country?
Long and relatively difficult. Police need to give you a license to buy a gun or ammunition.
To get a license, you need to fill out a 15-page form specifying what type of gun you want, and why you want it. Valid reasons include shooting for sport or pest control, as well as gun-collecting and study. Self-defense is explicitly ruled out as a good reason.
You then need to be interviewed by your local police force, and prove to them that you will be a responsible gun owner and have a safe to keep it in. You need two referees, and officers can ask for a medical assessment.
If the police later decide you shouldn't have guns, they can require you to give them back. You also have to tell the police every time you buy, sell, destroy, or lose a gun.
How long does it take on average to obtain a gun?
60 days.
What types of guns are legal?
There's a blanket ban on pistols, and most semi-automatic rifles are prohibited too. Shotguns, hunting rifles and some other firearms are allowed.
What do you think about President Trump's proposal to arm more teachers and trained professionals in schools?
The aim should surely be to stop school shootings from happening at all, rather than ending them faster when they do. The last mass school shooting in the UK was 22 years ago in Dunblane, Scotland.
Does the average person in your area fear the possibility of being the victim of gun violence?
No. Gun crime does exist, particularly in parts of London where gangs are active. But most Brits would not rank "getting shot" very highly on the list of things they worry about.
— Kieran Corcoran, Business Insider UK
Italy
What is the process like for getting a gun in your country?
In Italy, people can buy and possess a gun for three different reasons: self-defense, hunting and sport shooting.
They have to get a gun license from the police (in Italian: "porto d'armi") and abide by specific physical and psychological requirements, including: no psychiatric problems, no alcohol and drug dependence, and must be over 18 years old.
In particular, people who want a gun for self-defense have to demonstrate a valid reason, which justifies the need to go armed.
Carlo Biffani, security expert and CEO of Security Consulting Group explains: "If my life is constantly in danger because of my job – for example, I am the owner of a jewelry store which can be the target of criminals – I can prove this situation of uncertainty and insecurity in order to get an authorization."
In addition the license, the possession of guns and ammunition has to be reported to the central police station.
How long does it take on average to obtain a gun?
The whole bureaucratic process can last 90 days or more.
What types of guns are legal?
In general, people can own up to three guns, six firearms for shooting sports and an unlimited number of hunting rifles, but can’t go out bringing these with them if they don’t have the authorization. For instance, "with a self-defense licence I can go out with a semi-automatic gun with 12-13 bullets or a revolver with 5-6 ammunition," Carlo Biffani clarifies.
What do you think about President Trump's proposal to arm more teachers and trained professionals in schools?
Trump’s proposal after the Florida school shooting has fueled a huge debate in Italy, covered by national media.
For Giuseppe Soddu, principal of high school "Liceo classico Parini" in Milan, Trump’s proposal is "crazy."
"It cannot be the solution and it must be rejected," he said. "Teachers have the duty and job of educating and teaching: they cannot replace police officers or carry out their tasks."
Does the average person in your area fear the possibility of being the victim of gunfire?
It is very hard to measure the fear of being shot but experts have assessed the level of insecurity perceived by Italians. Despite a reduction of murders, thefts and robberies committed in the first seven months of 2017, Italian perception of criminality remains high.
The last report of the Italian institute Osservatorio europeo sulla sicurezza (2017) shows that the level of insecurity linked to criminality has reached 41.4% in 2017 and 41% in 2016, less than the 50.3 % registered in December 2012.
This level of insecurity grows if the analysis considers the data about Italians’ fear of terrorist attacks: the value has increased in the last 7 years, from 29.3 % (November 2010) to 44.3 % (January 2017).
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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