Whateva said:

Not that I know of . Guess not, sometimes we are way ahead of the US, aren't we .

Serious said:

I realize the US has many more guns in circulation but let's not get all worked up thinking you're all "way ahead" there's plenty o' guns in europe.


"Millions more hidden guns in Europe than previously revealed - new study


London, July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- - British firearm owners outarmed 3 to 1 by French, Germans

"Contrary to the common assumption that Europeans are virtually unarmed, an estimated 84 million firearms are legally held in the 15 member states of the EU. Of these, 80 per cent - 67 million guns - are in civilian hands," according to new research released today.

"Citizens of most European countries are more heavily armed than they realise, with an average of 17.4 guns per 100 people in the 15 EU countries alone," says Aaron Karp, co-author of the Small Arms Survey report. The UK has 10 firearms per 100 people.

"Many, but not all countries of Europe already have a strong gun culture," according to Karp, whose research for the Small Arms Survey 2003, to be released at the UN next week, shows that:

- Gun laws are tightest in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Poland

- In per capita terms, Germans buy almost as many firearms as Americans

- France has more lawfully held handguns than the Czech Republic, Denmark, England and Wales, Poland, Scotland, and Sweden combined

- Across Europe, officials agree that illegal guns greatly outnumber known legal firearms

"Contrary to the common assumption, guns are not rare or traditionally highly regulated in either France or Germany," says Karp. In the 13 months to last October, 47 people died and more than 36 were wounded with privately held guns in mass shootings in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland."

Stymie said:

Shotguns are ok, which is a firearm.

xplnyrslf said:

PurpleJedi said:

Not handguns.

Serious said:

don't piss them off
[Edited 1/4/07 11:31am]

Shorty said:

Well, thanks, that explains a lot to me

But I still don't think it is legal in Germany and France to buy a gun.
Maybe they have more criminals??
Than Holland? NO WAY! I guess that last remark doesn't make sense
I guess we'll never know, but I do know loads more would die if everyone was allowed to buy a gun just like that.

Whateva said:

I think you can legally buy a gun in both Germany and France.
GERMANY
Gun owners must be licensed and firearms registered.
Germany passed strict firearms regulation in 1972, and a new bill tightening the law even further may soon be passed by the upper house of parliament.
Those applying for a license must be over 18 years old and, generally, a German resident for more than three years.
Appplicants must prove their need to possess a gun, technical proficiency, knowledge of firearms and physical fitness.
Fully automatic weapons are banned.

FRANCE
Firearms must be registered, except for sporting rifles.
A Sports Federation license is required to request an ownership permit. Applicants must have no record of criminal activity or mental illness. Applications approved by the Federation must also be vetted by local police and municipal officials. Permits must be renewed every three years.
Machine guns and automatic firearms are prohibited without special authorization and are reserved almost exclusively for military and police forces.

Shorty said:

Well, that sounds just like it is in Holland, you can't just buy a gun (legally that is) and own one, only when you really need a gun for your profession.