Gun Laws by Country – An Overview (2020)
Posted Jun 18th, 2020
Gun Laws by Country – An Overview (2020)
The world today is becoming increasingly globalized and many Americans are choosing to move abroad for a variety of reasons, be it cheaper costs of living, a new and exotic lifestyle, or just better opportunities on offer.
However, before one plan on settling in a new country, it helps to know better about the local laws. Many Americans may be surprised to find that many liberties that we take for granted are seen as a privilege rather than a right in many other countries. This includes the right to purchase and own firearms as a civilian. This guide will give an overview of gun laws of each country so you can be better aware of the restrictions (or lack of them) you might face there.
Note: Before reading, be sure to know that the list is by no means exhaustive. Some countries were omitted because of a lack of information on their gun policies (e.g. Maldives). Others (such as Afghanistan and Somalia) were not included because neither are they safe destinations for Americans nor is state law actively enforced there. Others have been omitted simply because they are not a popular choice for American citizens.
Argentina
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes** | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permit for handguns restricted
**May issue
Australia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Austria
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue)* | Yes** |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | No |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Some firearms permitless
**Permits restricted
The Bahamas
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Yes** |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | Yes* |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | No |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Permit may issue
**Permits restricted
Bahrain
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Bangladesh
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Belarus
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Handguns prohibited
Belgium
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Bhutan
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*handguns and long guns above a certain caliber illegal
Bolivia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Not applicable in large public gatherings
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal* |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Laws a bit ambiguous
Botswana
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Brazil
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Brunei
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Bulgaria
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*No permit required
Canada
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal* |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | No** | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Pre-1978 registered autos are legal
**Non-restricted firearms only
Chile
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes* | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
**Not applicable in case of self-defense firearms
China
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits highly restricted
Colombia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Yes** |
| Open Carry Allowed | No*** | No |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | No |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Semi-autos permit restricted
**Permits highly restricted
***Certain firearms excluded
Costa Rica
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Croatia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Cuba
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Rifles with a caliber greater than 5.6 millimeters and certain modified weapons illegal
Cyprus
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes** | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Only shotguns, all other firearms illegal
**Permits restricted
Czech Republic
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Yes* |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | No |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | No |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Denmark
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes* | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes** | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Not applicable for shotguns pre-2001
**No restrictions for short firearms
Dominican Republic
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Ecuador
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits for most firearms greater or equal to 9mm are restricted. Handguns are prohibited with some exceptions.
Egypt
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Long guns are prohibited
El Salvador
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Estonia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Yes* |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | No |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | Yes |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Applicable to only members of the Estonian Defense League
Fiji
Status: Illegal
Finland
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Yes* |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | No |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | No |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Permits highly restricted
France
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Germany
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Greece
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*With some exceptions, no permit required.
Guyana
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes** | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Restricted to one firearm per person
**No permit required
Honduras
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Hungary
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits for handguns restricted
Iceland
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
India
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permit limited to 3 firearms per person
Indonesia
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits highly restricted
Iran
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes** | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits highly restricted
**Permits restricted
Iraq
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Yes |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | No |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Ireland
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits not issued for self-defense
Israel
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Italy
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Jamaica
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Japan
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Jordan
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Kazakhstan
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Handguns are prohibited
Kenya
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Korea, North
Status: Illegal
Note: The carrying and possession of all firearms is illegal under the threat of the death penalty.
Korea, South
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Latvia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Handguns with a caliber over 9mm prohibited. Firearms limited to 10 per person.
Lebanon
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Liechtenstein
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue)* | Yes** |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | No |
| Registration Required | Yes*** | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | No |
| Background Check Required | No**** | No**** |
Note:
*Some firearms permitless
**Somewhat restricted
***Not required for hunting rifles
****Criminal record may be checked for certain firearms
Lithuania
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Luxembourg
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits highly restricted. Most firearm types are prohibited.
Malaysia
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes** | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
**Permits restricted
Malta
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal* |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Pre-1946 firearms excluded
Marshall Islands
Status: Illegal
Mauritius
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Mexico
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Micronesia
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Most firearms types prohibited
Monaco
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Montenegro
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes** | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*No permit required for antique weapons
**Permits somewhat restricted
Mongolia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Yes (May issue) |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | Yes* |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | No |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Permits somewhat restricted
Morocco
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Yes* |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | No |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | No |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Permits maybe restricted
Namibia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Nepal
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Netherlands
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
New Zealand
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes* | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Not required for certain firearms
Nigeria
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
North Macedonia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*May issue in case of self-defense firearms
Norway
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Yes* |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | No |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | Yes |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Oman
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Yes |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | No |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Pakistan
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Panama
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Peru
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*No permit required with some restrictions
Philippines
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Poland
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Yes* |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | No |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | Yes |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Permits restricted
Portugal
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes** | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits not issued for self-defense
**Permits restricted
Qatar
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits highly restricted
Romania
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits for self-defense firearms restricted
Russia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Rwanda
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Saudi Arabia
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits highly restricted
Serbia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Uncertain | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Seychelles
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Uncertain | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Singapore
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Yes* |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | No |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | Yes |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Permits highly restricted
Slovakia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Yes* |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | No |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | Yes |
| Background Check Required | Yes** | Yes** |
Note:
*Permits restricted
**Maybe be required under specific conditions
Slovenia
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
South Africa
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Yes** |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | No |
| Registration Required | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | No |
| Background Check Required | Yes | Yes |
Note:
*Also allows carry without permit
*Permits restricted
Spain
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
**Permits for self-defense firearms restricted
Sri Lanka
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Sweden
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Switzerland
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue)* | Yes** |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | No |
| Registration Required | Yes*** | Yes |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | No |
| Background Check Required | No**** | No**** |
Note:
*Most firearms permitless
**Somewhat restricted
***Not required for hunting rifles and certain other firearms
****Criminal record maybe checked for certain firearms
Taiwan
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits highly restricted
Thailand
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Trinidad and Tobago
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Firearms limited to amount indicated on the license
Tunisia
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*non-hunting firearms prohibited
Turkey
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Ukraine
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits restricted
United Arab Emirates
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Uncertain | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
United Kingdom
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Yes | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*prohibited in case of self-defense except in Northern Ireland.
United States
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue)* | Illegal** |
| Open Carry Allowed | Yes* | |
| Registration Required | No* | |
| Magazine Restrictions | No* | |
| Background Check Required | Yes* | |
Note:
*As stated in Federal Law. Full firearm regulations will vary depending on the type of firearms as well as from state to state. For more in-depth information, please refer to the main article on US gun laws. (Gun Laws by U.S State – The Complete Guide 2020)
**Automatic firearms registered before 1986 are legal.
Uruguay
Status: Legal
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (Shall Issue) | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Uncertain | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Venezuela
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Uncertain | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits highly restricted
Vietnam
Status: Restricted
| Ordinary Guns | Automatics | |
| Permit Required | Yes (May Issue)* | Illegal |
| Open Carry Allowed | No | |
| Registration Required | Yes | |
| Magazine Restrictions | Uncertain | |
| Background Check Required | Yes | |
Note:
*Permits highly restricted
If you were to move to a new country, which would it be? Share your answers with us in the comments below!