Other CCW/citizen-gun-ownership countries besides the US?

[Trade_Sniper]

I'm just curious, what other countries besides the US allow the citizens to own firearms. Are there any that have CCW type programs?

With everything I read on gun sites, it seems like we are one of the only countries that allows it, but then again, in countries like Afghanistan, if you don't own a rifle, you're not considered a 'man', its a status symbol. So I know there have to be a few other countries that allow the citizens to own guns. I mean handguns also.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[11BLT]

I believe that Lithuania allows ccw in a manner very similar to most shall issue states here in the U.S.

EVER FORWARD

[nicneufeld]

Switzerland, as I recall, has its citizens armed with assault rifles...kind of a standing militia, in a sense. I read once that there are pegs over the doorway in swiss households where they hang their automatic rifles. Between that and the alps, no wonder no one has invaded them for centuries...

[paramedic70002]

Of course the Swiss have compulsory military service upon completion of high school (not a bad idea) and then you get to take your evil weapon home, along with a box of ammo.

Israel, I've heard, has some significant ownership restrictions, oddly enough, but you can get a loaner from the cops.

[FiringDragon]

In Israel, most citizens (men and women) serve in the military. All of them are trained in the use of firearms, no matter what their "job" is. In fact, the training starts while in highschool (basic skills).

While in service, most enlisted men and women carry a rifle with them at all times even when they go home for the evening or the weekend.

Most men serve in the reserves, and are called to duty between 30 to 45 days each year for training and to help in whatever they were trained to do. This goes through the age of ~55 or so... depending on health, needs of the military, and skills.

As a citizen, many have the opportunity to use (borrow) a firearm from the authorities if needed. The "need" is defined by where you live, or if you happen to escort your kids school trip to an area where protection might be needed, etc.

As for private ownership of firearms:Based on certain criteria (such as place of residence, job duties, rank in the military), one may apply for a permit. The "controll" is further accomplished by rationing ammunition. For example, when I lived there I owned a 9mm pistol and was given a card allowing me to purchase 50 rounds per year (!!!) Every time I purchased ammunition, the store clerk had to stamp my card indicating how many I purchased...

This was years ago... I am not sure how many rounds are allocated now, but I'm sure it is not alot.

I hope this helps.

-- FD

[denverd0n]

Switzerland, as I recall, has its citizens armed with assault rifles...

True, but it does not permit them to carry concealed weapons, nor to use the military weapon for personal purposes, for instance as a self-defense weapon when travelling around the country.

[Anubis]

I have wished for a website that would show international data like PDO or Handgunlaw.us does for the USA. Probably only a few nations would be listed.

I have corresponded with an Israeli who carries concealed and seen several photos of Israeli civilians openly carrying pistols in public.

I recall reading that South Africa allows legal concealed carry or some similar form of being legally armed.

Just found this http://www.recguns.com/Sources/IIB1.html which has some data about concealed carry in other countries. No idea how accurate or current it is.

[Bryan]

The best book on the subject is "The Samurai, the Mountie, and the Cowboy: Should America Adopt the Gun Controls of Other Democracies " by David B. Kopel. It is about 20 years old but sums up other Democratic countries Gun rights or lack the of. It dose not cover Israel though. Basically we are the only ones with many freedoms that are taken for granted.

[Trade_Sniper]

There is a fantastic article in Concealed Carry Magazine this month (July 06) called "Perception is not reality", that also references "The Samurai, the Mountie and the Cowboy" book. It also mentions Switzerland and states that they have more fully automatic weapons in homes than does the entire US, but has a violent crime rate considerably less than that of England.

By contrast, in Mexico where its difficult for citizens to own firearms, the per capita rate of murder with knives alone is higher than the total murder rate in the US. Mexico's total per capita homicide rate is 3-5 times that of the US.

It also says that in New Zealand, they have completely done away with gun registration and increased the penalties for criminal misuse of a weapon. The results? "A significant decline in firearms deaths and injuries in New Zealand, even as the number of guns has soared."