GUN LEGISLATION

Recently increased gun encounters in the United States of America

Gun control legislation in different countries

The second amendment of the US constitution which states that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed is often attributed as the root cause of all firearms-related violence.
The US Supreme court previously held that the amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms for self-defence while federal courts argue of a potential infringement if federal, state and local firearm regulations circumvent this right

Canada introduced legislation to amend its firearms act, it is proposing to institute a national freeze on handguns-preventing sale, purchase, transfer and import of handguns in Canada
Possessing a fully-automatic weapon, unless registered before 1978, is illegal in Canada.
Gun licenses are valid for five years and according to individuals at least 18 years of age upon completing the Canadian firearms safety course
Vetting is undertaken to ensure that applicants do not have a history of violence, are suffering from mental illnesses or were previously barred from the process
The proposed legislation would revoke licenses from holders deemed to be a danger to themselves or others
It is mandatory for individuals and businesses to update records before transferring ownership of non-restricted items. In 2020, firearms constituted 39% of all homicides in the country.

Acquiring a gun in Japan is particularly difficult –one has to present a series of documents, establish their needs undertake an approximately month-long training on handling and safety, pass the scrutiny of criminal records and medical health, and then an exam to prove eligibility
Buying a weapon too requires a separate certification mentioning the desired model

Applicant must be 18 years
Not suffering from mental illness
Not having a license revoked five years ago
Not dependent on alcohol or narcotic substances, and have a fixed residence
Any violation is punishable with imprisonment for a period up to three years, which could extend up to five years or more along with a fine of 10 million yen if done for purpose of profit

Gun license applicants in India must be at least 21 years and not convicted of any offence involving violence of,’ unsound mind ‘ or a threat to public safety and peace.
Upon receiving an application, the licensing authority (i.e. the Home Ministry ) asks the officer in –charge of the nearest police station to submit a report about the applicant after thorough vetting
Arms act amended in 2019 reduces the number of firearms that an individual can procure from three to two.
Indian laws also enlist specific provisions on curtailing the use of licensed weapons to ensure social harmony.
No entity is permitted to sell or transfer any firearm which does not bear the name of the maker, manufacturer’s number or any other visible or stamped identification mark
Any act of conversion or unlawful import-export is punishable with an imprisonment term of seven years, which may extend to life imprisonment and be liable to monetary fines.

FACTS

In 2020 the US had witnessed 24,576 homicides, of which approximately 79 % or 19,384 incidents, involved the use of a firearm
The second amendment of the US constitution, which states that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed is often attributed as the root cause of all firearm-related violence
Indian laws are particularly elaborate in dealing with the sale and unlawful trade of weapons. It also enlists specific provisions on curtailing the use of licensed weapons to ensure social harmony

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