The "best" gun laws are subjective and depend on whether one prioritizes ease of ownership or strict control. Generally, Switzerland and the Czech Republic are often cited as having some of the most permissive and "gun-friendly" regulations in Europe, especially for self-defense and sport shooting.
Singapore is probably the strictest country in the world when it comes to gun laws. It's still possible to own a gun but it takes a lot of work. To own a gun you need to belong to a gun club. You will also be required to leave your gun at the club for storage.
#1 New Hampshire. New Hampshire is a Constitutional Carry state with incredibly relaxed gun laws and low crime rates. Any citizen over 18 years old who is lawfully permitted to possess a firearm can open and concealed carry. New Hampshire residents can travel to 29 other states with a pistol and revolver license.
Only if you purchase a weapon, you must send the sales contract to your cantonal weapons office within 30 days. If you are a foreign national without a settlement permit, you require a weapons acquisition permit for all types of weapon and their essential components (e.g. the barrel or casing).
In Italy, a license is needed to get your hands on any type of gun. There are 3 licenses that allow individuals to own firearms: a hunting license; a shooting sports license; and a concealed carry license.
There is no right to bear arms in Italy and, subsequently, there are strict laws surrounding ownership and use of firearms. Those wishing to own a firearm (either by purchasing or inheriting it) must have the relevant licence that has strict requirements including: A genuine reason to own a firearm.
To put the difference in perspective, as of 2023, the United States reported a civilian firearm ownership rate of 120.5 guns per 100 people, while Italy reported 14.4 guns per 100 people.
To buy a firearm in France, in line with the European Firearms Directive, a hunting license or a shooting sport license is necessary depending on the type, function and magazine capacity of the weapon.
1. United States — The Gun Capital of the World. With over 393 million firearms owned by civilians, more than its population, the US tops the list by a massive margin. Gun rights are enshrined in the Second Amendment, and ownership ranges from hunting rifles to military-grade semi-automatics.
The United States leads by a wide margin, with more guns than people, averaging over 120 guns per 100 residents. Other high-ownership nations include Canada, Finland, Norway, and Switzerland, where firearm culture is often tied to hunting and national defense.
California led the way in gun safety in the United States as of January 2025, with a composite score of 90.5 based on the presence of 50 key gun safety policies.
Gun collectors may not fire their firearms without explicit permission from the police. Rifle and shotgun licenses can be issued to persons 18 years or older with a clean criminal record. The applicant for the licenses must document a need for the weapon, usually hunting or sports shooting.
Number of registered weapons U.S. 2024, by state
Texas was the state with the highest number of registered weapons in the United States in 2024, with 1,136,732 firearms. Rhode Island, on the other hand, had the least, with 4,895 registered firearms.
To possess a weapon, you must fulfill the following conditions: You may own a gun for hunting, sport, or personal reasons if you provide proof with documentation, a certificate or evidence you are an active hunter, that you passed a hunting exam, or that you are a member of a club for recreational shooting.
Handguns allowed for target shooting are divided into four classes:
According to the law, the firearm must be appropriate for the stated purpose, but evaluating this is largely left to the discretion of the police. For example, while an AR-15 is suitable for practical shooting, the police may consider one inappropriate for hunting. A valid hunting permit is expected.
First on our list is the United States—a country where guns are deeply woven into its history and identity. The Second Amendment guarantees citizens' rights to bear arms, leading many states like Texas to adopt permissive laws regarding open carry and concealed weapons.
Finland is a country of hunters and gun enthusiasts. There are approximately 460,000 licence holders and slightly under 1.5 million licensed firearms in Finland.
While Switzerland is a neutral country with a peaceful reputation, it is nevertheless one of the most heavily armed countries in the world, according to Small Arms Survey , a Geneva-based organisation that produces the benchmark analyses in the field.
Second Amendment. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
There are no freely-available guns in Romanian law. The only quote-unquote “guns” that are available without paperwork and registration are air-soft replicas and bows. All other guns, including black powder, crossbows and airguns need a licence and must be registered.
Taking stock of the number of small arms registered in Portugal (National Department of Weapons and Explosives, Public Security Police, DAE/PSP), we have estimated a total of 2,6 million of guns in civilian hands. Of these, 1,4 million are legal (54%) and 1,2 million are illegal (46%).
Licensing and acquisition. To legally acquire firearms in Italy, individuals must obtain a "purchase authorization" (nulla osta all'acquisto). This authorization permits the holder to purchase and possess a firearm, but not to carry or use it.
Gun deaths are considered an epidemic in the United States (which leads the world in civilian gun ownership) by many people, particularly those on the left side of the political spectrum.
Gun control in Russia is carried out in accordance with the Federal Law on Weapons. The law establishes three major categories of weapons: civil, service, and military. Civilians in Russia are able to obtain firearms with proper licensure, with some limits on concealed carry.