How common are guns in Korea?
Asked by: Leora Wisozk | Last update: February 5, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (35 votes)
Guns are extremely uncommon in Korea (both North and South) due to very strict laws, with civilian ownership virtually banned and limited to specific licensed activities like hunting or sport, requiring guns to be stored at police stations. South Korea has some of the world's lowest gun ownership rates, around 0.2-0.3 per 100 people, resulting in rare gun violence and an environment where citizens feel safe without personal firearms, unlike many other countries.
How common are guns in South Korea?
In some regions, strict regulations and strong social norms have kept civilian gun numbers among the lowest in the world. At the top of this list are the Solomon Islands and South Korea, each with only 0.2 guns per 100 people.
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 Koreans know how to use guns?
South Korea strictly regulates the ownership of guns. Although most men are trained in the use of firearms during their mandatory military training, private citizens may not carry guns to protect their household or person.
What countries have the highest gun violence?
Gun-related violence occurs all around the world, including (to a lesser extent) countries in which guns are illegal. However, out of the estimated 250,227 gun-related deaths worldwide in 2019, 65.9% occurred in just six countries: Brazil, the United States, Venezuela, Mexico, India, and Colombia.
Shooting my Daewoo K2 rifle in full South Korean infantry kit
Where do the USA rank in gun violence?
Originally published March 25, 2021. Last updated October 31, 2023. Among 65 high-income countries and territories, the United States stands out for its high levels of gun violence. The US ranks seventh out of 65 for homicides by firearm (age-adjusted).
What country uses guns the most?
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.
Do cops in Korea carry guns?
Firearms. Currently, South Korean police are allowed to carry 38-caliber pistols during operations. According to official data from the National Police Agency, the S&W (Smith & Wesson) Model 10 is to be used.
Is self-defense illegal in Korea?
Self-Defense according to the Korean Law. Article 1 of the South Korean Constitution points out that the country is a democratic republic where the power comes from its people. With this in mind, we can understand that the right to self-defense is everyone's right.
Do cops in Japan carry guns?
The Japanese Police are entitled to use reasonably necessary force in effecting an arrest. Police officers are trained in a particular form of martial art called “taiho-jutsu” (arrest technique), designed to disarm criminals using batons and their hands, and, only where strictly necessary, firearms.
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 a US citizen carry a gun overseas?
Taking guns or bullets abroad, even if they are legal in the U.S., can lead to arrest and serious penalties. Plan your travel with a clear understanding of foreign destination firearms requirements.
Are guns legal 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.
What country has the loosest gun laws?
Yemen does not require any permit or any license for the acquisition or selling of any types of firearms, including fully automatic firearms.
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.
Are guns illegal in Japan?
Other than the police and the military, no one in Japan may purchase a handgun or a rifle. Hunters and target shooters may possess shotguns and airguns under strictly circumscribed conditions. The police check gun licensees' ammunition inventory to make sure there are no shells or pellets unaccounted for.
What is the 52 hour rule in Korea?
South Korea's 52-hour rule is a labor law limiting the maximum workweek to 52 hours (40 standard + 12 overtime), implemented in phases for different company sizes to reduce chronic overwork, improve work-life balance (weolbael), and boost productivity, ensuring weekends and holidays are included in the weekly cap, with penalties for non-compliance.
What is the 3 day rule in Korea?
The "3 date rule" in Korea suggests that after three dates, there's an unspoken expectation for a couple to become official (declare themselves boyfriend/girlfriend), moving from the "sseom" (something) stage to a committed relationship, often marked by couple items and frequent communication. While popular in K-dramas and general culture, newer generations and dating apps are making it less rigid, but it highlights the fast, decisive nature of Korean dating compared to the West, where commitment takes longer.
What is the Cinderella rule in Korea?
South Korea's "Cinderella Law," also known as the Shutdown Law, was a 2011 regulation forcing online game companies to block users under 16 from playing between midnight and 6 a.m. to combat gaming addiction and promote sleep, but it was abolished in August 2021 due to criticisms about infringing on youth rights, being ineffective (especially against mobile games), and impacting educational games like Minecraft. The law, part of the Youth Protection Act, was replaced with a parental control system.
Is Korea strict on guns?
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 ...
Which country police don't carry guns?
In eighteen countries or territories, the police do not carry firearms unless the situation is expected to merit it: Botswana, Cook Islands, Fiji, Iceland, Ireland, Kiribati, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom (except for Northern Ireland), the ...
Do Korean police really carry blanks?
They're mandated to empty the first chamber of their revolver, put a blank in second, and real bullets in the rest. They don't need a permission to shoot. It's up for the individual officer to decide.
In what country does everyone own a gun?
Switzerland: More Restrictive than Many Think
Swiss gun culture is rooted in national defense, not individual rights or personal protection. Most men who own guns are conscripts or former soldiers who are required to keep their service rifles for national defense but under strict conditions.
What US state has the most guns?
Texas consistently has the most guns by total number, often exceeding a million registered firearms, followed by Florida, Virginia, and California, largely due to their large populations; however, states like Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska lead in gun ownership rates (percentage of households owning guns). Data varies slightly by year and source (e.g., registered firearms vs. sales vs. household ownership), but Texas remains the top state for total gun numbers.
Why do Americans own so many guns?
Gun ownership is deeply rooted in the country's history and is legally protected by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Firearms in the U.S. are commonly used for self-defense, hunting, and recreational activities.