So which First World country has the most liberal gun law?

[TonyNorCal]

Which First World country has the most liberal gun law?

For the US let's go with the less restrictive states as representing our nation .

Article on First World and its changing meaning...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World

[Fate]

Finland is pretty far ahead in this race. Not sure if they're #1, but things like silencers and unregulated full auto machine guns are legal there.

[hoffmang]

I think the usual country put forth in this conversation is Switzerland. Mandatory machine guns and pistols for most all adult males.

-Gene

[gose]

In Europe it would probably be Switzerland, Austria and the Czech republic, with maybe Austria being the most gun-friendly and (to my knowledge) the only country in the world (except the US) where the right to own firearms is in the constitution.
Switzerland allows full-autos and silencers, even though restricted. Semi-auto rifles and handguns registered, but not really restricted. Carry allowed in most kantons, issuance like in CA, ranging from shall-issue to very strict.
Austria and Czech republic do not allow full-autos and silencers. Handguns and military-style rifles require permits, but not very restricted in what you can get. Carry is possible in both countries, but harder to get in Austria. I have friends in Germany with carry permits in Czech rep.
In Austria hunting rifles are cash and carry, except pump action shotguns, those are completely banned thanks to a nut job going crazy with a pump a few years ago. Semi-autos are ok though.

edit: Finland does not have unregulated machine guns.
Switzerland does NOT have mandatory machine guns or handguns for all males. After completing your military service you're part of the "militia" and you store all your equipment at home. When you leave "active" service in your 30s, you can keep your personal rifle if you want, but it will be converted to semi-auto.

[NSR500]

Ditto to Switzerland & Finland. My friend from Germany tells me that it is fairly common to see people on the train, stores, and general public places with guns slung over their shoulders.

[TonyNorCal]

I am curious about Switzerland...I am familiar with the assault weapons at home...citizen/military concept.

I would imagine that many of these 'at home' rifles are standardized and issued?

Aside from the military aspect are the Swiss free to go and buy whatever they please?

Israel is similar to Switzerland in that both active and reserve army components generally have their weapons at home. And, it's not uncommon to see someone in civilian clothes toting an M16 or Uzi. However, I am unsure of what restrictions are in place regarding purchase of arms.

[gose]

We had the same concept in Sweden, where you could join the militia (Home Guard) after completing the mandatory service. You then received all the equipment needed, including a full-auto G3 Giving up my G3 was the hardest part about moving here... oh, the good old days.
Closest range was 20 mins away, scheduled shooting was Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun. Electronic targets with monitors at each bench and we usually shot a hot range, meaning there was one fire and one cease fire command.
Oh, and of course all ammo was free and the government even paid gas money for driving to the range.

[TonyNorCal]

We had the same concept in Sweden, where you could join the militia (Home Guard) after completing the mandatory service. You then received all the equipment needed, including a full-auto G3 Giving up my G3 was the hardest part about moving here... oh, the good old days.
Closest range was 20 mins away, scheduled shooting was Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun. Electronic targets with monitors at each bench and we usually shot a hot range, meaning there was one fire and one cease fire command.
Oh, and of course all ammo was free and the government even paid gas money for driving to the range.

That's fracking awesome . *Looking up Swedish immigration policy* heh

[formerTexan]

...
Oh, and of course all ammo was free and the government even paid gas money for driving to the range.

Wow, thats a face of socialism I've never seen! Can we get the dems to support this kind of socialism here?

[Fjold]

You can get that kind of support, all we need is to be invaded by a foreign government. Geographically we have been insulated from any kind of large scale attack. If we had suffered as most of Europe had during WWI and WWII then the attitudes and laws in this country would be very different.

If we had suffered an invasion and occupying army in the 20th century I honestly think that the Supreme Court, federal and state governaments would interpret the 2nd amendment as openly as they do the 1st.

[gose]

You can get that kind of support, all we need is to be invaded by a foreign government. Geographically we have been insulated from any kind of large scale attack. If we had suffered as most of Europe had during WWI and WWII then the attitudes and laws in this country would be very different.

If we had suffered an invasion and occupying army in the 20th century I honestly think that the Supreme Court, federal and state governaments would interpret the 2nd amendment as openly as they do the 1st.

Well, Sweden was never really invaded. Back in the days when we were still fighting wars we were usually the aggressors

Btw, to be considered "active" in the home guard we had to serve a minimum of 20h/year. The scheduled shooting only accounted for a maximum of 4h, so you needed another 16h to stay active, but with a schedule full of goodies that wasn't really much of a problem. Urban warfare training (blanks and live), explosives training, heavy machine guns, RPGs, sniping... A very nice smorgasbord with stuff to choose from to get your 20h...

[NSR500]

Well, Sweden was never really invaded. Back in the days when we were still fighting wars we were usually the aggressors

Btw, to be considered "active" in the home guard we had to serve a minimum of 20h/year. The scheduled shooting only accounted for a maximum of 4h, so you needed another 16h to stay active, but with a schedule full of goodies that wasn't really much of a problem. Urban warfare training (blanks and live), explosives training, heavy machine guns, RPGs, sniping... A very nice smorgasbord with stuff to choose from to get your 20h...

Damn! That is like being sent to Thunder Ranch for free with all the ammo you can shoot!

[hoffmang]

BTW Gose:

Thanks for setting me straight above. The reality is far more interesting.

-Gene