Can you own guns in Russia?
Asked by: Lelia McClure | Last update: February 19, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (14 votes)
Yes, you can own guns in Russia as a citizen over 21, but it involves strict licensing, training, and background checks, with initial purchases limited to long smooth-bore guns for self-defense, hunting, or sport, and rifles generally require five years of shotgun ownership first, though handgun ownership for self-defense on property is now allowed. Regulations tightened in 2021, increasing the minimum age for long guns to 21 and adding stricter drug-related prohibitions, but a significant black market also exists.
What is the most gun-friendly country?
There isn't one single "most gun friendly" country, but the United States has the highest civilian gun ownership and very permissive laws in many states, while Switzerland is known for its strong gun culture tied to militia service and relatively liberal ownership rules for certain firearms after background checks, and countries like Yemen also have extremely non-restrictive laws, though often with different cultural contexts. Other nations with high ownership or liberal access include Canada, Finland, and Serbia, often linked to hunting or defense traditions.
Do Russia allow guns?
Austrian law allows firearm possession on shall-issue basis with certain classes of shotguns and rifles available without permit. With approximately 30 civilian firearms per 100 people, Austria is the 14th most armed country in the world.
Is AK-47 legal in Russia?
Russia has rather restrictive gun control laws. The best common people can hope for, is a hunting rifle or a pistol. Real good weapons, like variants of Kalashnikov rifle, including AKS, are restricted to the military and some law enforcement units.
Can you own a gun in Ukraine?
Citizens are permitted to own non-fully automatic rifles and shotguns as long as they are stored properly when not in use. Handguns are illegal except for target shooting, those who hold concealed carry permits, and handguns awarded for service.
Owning Guns In Russia | The Laws
Are Russian citizens allowed to own handguns?
Overview. As of 2021 Russian citizens over 21 years of age can obtain a firearms license after attending gun-safety classes and passing a federal test and background check. Firearms may be acquired for self-defense, hunting, or sports activities, as well as for collection purposes.
What country is the hardest to get a gun?
In some countries, like China, Japan, Venezuela and Myanmar, only people that are abled and trained and are meeting narrow conditions are allowed to own firearms, and few licenses are issued.
Can you legally own a gun in China?
With the exception of individuals with hunting permits and some ethnic minorities, civilian firearm ownership is restricted to non-individual entities. Law enforcement, military, paramilitary, and security personnel are allowed to use firearms. Police are to use issued pistols only to stop serious or dangerous crimes.
What is the deadliest rifle in the world?
There's no single "most dangerous" rifle, as danger depends on criteria (lethality, ubiquity, historical impact), but contenders include the AK-47 for its sheer numbers and reliability, the powerful .950 JDJ for its destructive power, the historically feared MG 42 machine gun, and early automatic rifles like the Fedorov Avtomat, with danger often tied to the gun's application and user.
Do police in Russia carry guns?
But what has seldom been reported is that the threat of gun violence against those who guard Russia's national parks and nature preserves has become so severe that those officers now carry guns themselves—something they almost never did in the past (Ecoportal.su, April 7).
What is the most armed country in the world?
The United States is the most armed country, holding the most civilian firearms (over 393 million, or about 120.5 per 100 people) globally, far surpassing any military's total stock. While other nations like Russia and China have large military arsenals, the U.S. civilian population is the world's largest "armed group" by sheer volume of guns, driven by a strong gun culture and constitutional rights, although military strength and nuclear power are separate metrics.
Can you own a handgun in Australia?
Fact: it is illegal to own, use and possess a handgun in Australia without a licence to do so and has been the case long before John Howard and his National Firearms Agreement of 1996.
Which European country has the loosest gun laws?
While laws vary, Switzerland, with its militia tradition, and the Czech Republic, with its extensive gun culture, are often cited as having some of Europe's most relaxed gun laws, alongside Austria, which allows broad firearm ownership with permits for various types, though all require registration and permits for certain firearms. These countries balance high gun ownership with strong rule of law and social stability, unlike many EU nations with tighter restrictions, yet they still adhere to some EU directives.
What is the freest gun state?
There isn't one single "freest" gun state, as rankings vary, but New Hampshire, West Virginia, Arkansas, Montana, and South Dakota are consistently ranked among the most gun-friendly due to permissive laws like constitutional/permitless carry, strong self-defense protections (Stand Your Ground), and lack of sales tax on firearms. Other states often cited for lenient laws include Arizona, Wyoming, Alaska, Utah, and Mississippi, though some recent political shifts in states like Arizona have impacted their rankings.
Can you own a gun in Italy?
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.
Can Canadians own handguns?
An RPAL is required for handguns and short-barrelled semi-automatic rifles. For PALs there are generally no justification requirements beyond not posing a risk to public safety; RPALs require either gun club membership, demonstration of sufficient firearms knowledge, or a professional carry authorization.
Is AK-47 more powerful than AR-15?
Neither the AK-47 nor the AR-15 is definitively "more powerful," as their power differs by range and application; the AK-47's larger 7.62x39mm bullet hits harder at close range and penetrates better, while the AR-15's faster 5.56mm round offers better long-range accuracy and energy retention, with the AR generally being lighter and more customizable, and the AK more rugged.
Can you legally own a Mac 10?
MAC-10s (Ingram M10) can be legal for civilians in the U.S. if they are legally registered, semi-automatic versions or pre-1986 fully automatic models that are registered under the National Firearms Act (NFA), but regulations vary significantly by state, with many states (like California) banning them due to features like threaded barrels or large capacity magazines, while federal law requires extensive background checks and tax stamps. Fully automatic MAC-10s are highly restricted and require special licensing, while semi-automatic versions are more accessible but still subject to state-specific bans or limits on features like magazines.
Do cops in China carry guns?
Their police forces commonly adopt a philosophy of policing by consent. In China, police also do not carry guns on standard patrol. A survey conducted in Great Britain in 2004 found that 47% of citizens supported arming all police while 48% were opposed to the idea.
Is gun legal in Korea?
The possession of firearms is strictly limited to public officials who are required to possess firearms in performing their line of duty (members of the police and armed forces and other law enforcement officers); legally licensed manufacturers, dealers, importers, or exporters and their employees; and those who are ...
Can Japanese citizens own guns?
Japan already has a legal system strictly regulating the manufacture, possession, and transfer of firearms including small arms and light weapons. In addition, as a nation dedicated to peace, Japan does not export arms. Civilian possession of firearms is about 400,000, or less than 0.5% of the total population.
Who has the worst gun violence?
These are the 20 states with the highest firearm homicide rates in the country along with their gun-friendliness scores:
- Louisiana: 11.0 (3)
- Mississippi: 10.2 (5)
- Alabama: 9.5 (4)
- Missouri: 8.5 (5)
- Maryland: 7.4 (1)
- South Carolina: 7.4 (3)
- Tennessee: 6.7 (4)
- Illinois: 6.5 (2)
What is the hardest state to get a gun in?
Report Highlights:
- Hawaii is the #1 worst state for gun owners due to strict purchasing and carry laws, as well as defying the Supreme Court on the individual's right to carry.
- Massachusetts is the #2 worst state for gun owners due to its permit-to-purchase and reciprocity laws.
Can Mexican citizens own guns?
Let's set the record straight: Mexicans and legal permanent residents in Mexico can legally purchase, own, carry and use weapons for self-defense, hunting, collecting, and competitive shooting events sanctioned by the Army.