Countries Where Guns Are Illegal

Gun laws differ radically around the world, offering an intriguing look at how various nations strike a balance between personal liberties, public safety, cultural norms, and political ideologies. This article explores the restrictions placed on firearm ownership and use in different countries, with particular focus on nations where guns are classified as 'illegal' or 'very restricted.' Within these categories, 'illegal' signifies that civilian ownership is largely prohibited, while 'very restricted' means that specific, severe controls are in place, limiting firearm access to a small fraction of the population.

• The laws around gun ownership tend to be stricter in Asian countries. Nations like China, North Korea, Cambodia, and Indonesia either deem guns illegal or place heavy restrictions on them.
• Many of the countries where guns are entirely 'illegal' are small island nations. This group includes Marshall Islands, Seychelles, Vatican City, and Nauru.
• A portion of African nations such as Mali, Botswana, and the Central African Republic have either declared firearm possession as illegal or categorize it under ‘very restricted’.
• Countries in a state of conflict or political turmoil, like the Central African Republic or Somalia, also enforce serious restrictions on gun accessibility. These measures are likely implemented in an attempt to not further inflame the already taut situation.