Weapons laws by country

Guide to categories
Prohibited refers to weapons that civilians are prohibited from privately owning for recreational purposes. This does usually not include weapons used by individuals employed to possess or use firearms in strictly professional circumstances with government approval, like pest controllers, museum curators, police officers, cash transport workers, researchers and soldiers.

May Issue refers to a licencing scheme where meeting the explicit legal requirements of obtaining a licence is inadequate to guarantee issuing, the issuing authorities may use their own discretion to grant or reject licenses. They may demand that applicants have a "genuine reason" to obtain the licence. A Genuine reason may include things like sport shooting club membership, access to hunting grounds, demonstrable threat to personal safety, or even entirely subjective reasons set by the issuing authorities arbitrarily.

Shall Issue refers to a licencing scheme where meeting the explicit legal requirements of obtaining the license is enough to obtain it and the authorities cannot reject applicants who meet the legal requirements.

Background Check refers to a system where no licence is necessary to obtain a firearm, but the purchaser must pass a background check at the point of sale or show a recent copy of his criminal record before the firearm can be purchased.

Unrestricted refers to a system where the purchaser does not need a licence or to pass a background check to obtain a firearm. Often the only requirement is to show an ID card to verify the age of the buyer, if that requirement is present at all.

Registration Requirements
Registration applies to weapons which must be declared to the relevant authorities by the purchaser and/or seller so they can be placed in a central registry.

No registration applies to weapons that do not have to be declared to the relevant authorities. Sellers may still be required to keep a transaction record.

Guide to Categories
Felony Crimes Serious crimes resulting in lengthy prison sentences.

Misdemeanors Minor crimes resulting in fines or short prison sentences.

Violent Misdemeanors Violent crimes resulting in minor punishment, which may include domestic violence and battery.

Alcohol Abuse A history of alcohol use disorder, such as a formal diagnosis or a history of drunken behavior in police records.

Drug Abuse Anything from a minor drug offence to a history of drug addiction.

Medical Examination requirement Buyerss must pass a medical examination to confirm their mental and physical fitness to use a firearm.

Involuntary commitment Buyer may not have been committed to a mental institution or been placed in conservatorship for reasons of poor mental health or cognitive abilities.

Age Limit The age at which the buyer may legally purchase a firearm

References required The buyer must name references personally familiar with the buyer that can confirm that the buyer is of good character.

=Country Profile=

Gardarike
Gardarike has moderately strict weapons laws by Anterran standards. The Weapons Act of 1999 classifies weapons into Three categories. Airsoft guns, paintball guns, firearm suppressors, bows/crossbows, swords, air guns and non-cartridge single-shot firearms are not considered weapons according to the weapons act and are freely available to everyone over the age of 18.

Permitted Weapons are a wide category of weapons defined simply as any weapon that is not restricted.

To purchase a permitted weapon a Firearms Permit must be obtained. This permit can be obtained by anyone who is 20 years of age and of "temperate habits, sound mind and good character" Once a background check involving a medical examination, reference approval and criminal and arrest record check is passed the prospective permit holder must pass a written and practical firearms safety course. Once passed the prospective permit holder is issued his permit and may purchase any weapon that isn't restricted.

Restricted Weapons. In addition to a Firearms Permit, a prospective buyer of a restricted weapon needs to obtain a waiver from the local chief of police. To obtain the waiver the applicant must write the chief of police an application for one explaining what the applicant intends to use the weapon for, why the applicant wants the weapon applied for and why an unrestricted weapon would not suffice for the cited purpose. The waiver is valid only for one weapon at a time, purchasing a second restricted weapon requires a separate waiver. The Chief of police may use his discretion when approving or rejecting a waiver application but may have to defend his decision in court.

Restricted weapons include all handguns (defined as a firearm with a barrel shorter than 450 mm), all semi-automatic and pump-action rifles, and all detachable magazine shotguns.

In practice, the issuing of restricted weapons waivers varies from county to county within Gardarike. In general most approved waivers are for target pistols and semi-automatic rifles designed for international sports events and large-caliber revolvers for wildlife defence. Waivers for self-defense against hostile persons are rarely issued.

Professional weapons. The third category includes weapons that are considered unsuitable for recreational or defensive use and cannot be legally obtained for such purposes. These include all automatic weapons, all munitions containing explosives or noxious substances, all disguised weapons and all cartridge firearms with a bore diameter of more than 20mm. These weapons are reserved for individuals and institutions who have a genuine need for them for esoteric, historical or combat purposes. These include law enforcement, security, industry, museums and military institutions.

Restricted and professional weapons are the only category of weapons that are subject to registration in Gardarike. As of December 2018 there were 11,878,240 registered weapons in Gardarike. The 3,378,240 registered Restricted weapons are estimated to make up approximately 6% of the total estimated 55 million civilian firearms in the country. Most of these are handguns.

Kironia
Kironian gun laws are considerably relaxed. It is the attitude of the license issuing authorities, that for "May Issue" permits and licenses, a legitimate need may not need to provided so long as a bribe is presented to the authority.

Kaya
On the surface Kayan gun laws seem to be relatively lax, however firearm ownership in strictly controlled and regulated. While in theory a citizen may own almost any device, in practice this is all but impossible as a request for licence may be denied without reason, and even acquiring the required paperwork to be submitted may not be possible. In general in order to get a notional firearm and licence would entail At any stage it can be denied by the state without reason.
 * Acquiring and submitting relevant paperwork
 * Two character references (cannot be related)
 * Police reference
 * Background, criminal, and medical checks
 * Request for permit for notional firearm
 * Additional police reference and check
 * Evidence of need
 * Register firearm
 * Purchase of firearm

Samotkhe
In Samotkhe, the right to bear arms is enforced by article 5 of the National constitution. Commercially available weapons are classified under 3 Categories. Airsoft, paintball, and "weapons with historical significance" are unrestricted and not applicable to the category system.

Level 3 Weapons are a class of weapons consisting of Fully-automatic firearms, Recoilless rifles, Grenade launchers, and Rocket launchers without an explosive payload. Level 3 weapons license require a strict screening process, with background checks, mental evaluations, and a mandatory safety course that must be retaken every 5 years. Level 3 licenses are also based on a May-issue system. The addition of a suppressor onto a Level 2 Weapon will deem it a class 3 weapon. Applicants need to be 23 years of age or older.

Level 2 Weapons are a class of weapons consisting of Most commercially available Semi-automatic and Manually operated firearms, along with pistols. Obtaining a level 2 weapons license requires a mandatory safety course, along with a background check. Applicants need to be 18 years of age or older.

Level 1 Weapons are a class of weapons consisting of Rimfire firearms, Shotguns, and Centerfire firearms with a magazine capacity less than 5 rounds and/or be unremovable. this category also contains Knives. To obtain a level 1 weapons license, a simple background check is performed with the Avtogaiv system. Applicants need to be 16 years of age or older.

Chezzetcook
Chezzetcook's open weapons laws are integrated with a complex licensing scheme which divides firearms into categories of ownership. Anyone who otherwise passes the requirements may obtain a specific license or endorsement, and must continue to meet specific requirements at regular intervals to retain their license. A collector may posess any of five licenses, five of which may take other licence categories as an endorsement provided the holder completes those regulations. These licenses and endorsements are as follows:

Hunting and Rodent Control Holders are limited to a maximum of 5 long guns of non-military caliber. Requires a valid hunting license to obtain and retain, and must be renewed every 10 years with completion of both safety courses each time. Requires completion of a 2 day firearms safety course as well as 2 day hunter safety course. May hold Sport Shooting endorsement only.

Self Defense Holders may posses a maximum of 3 firearms, with no more than 2 being pistols for the purpose of self defense. Automatically permits concealed carry of a pistol for the purpose of self defense. Requires completion of a 2 day firearms safety course, as well as a 2 week self defense course. Must be renewed annually, with completion of a 1 week combined safety and self defense refresher course. Requires a valid Advanced First Aid certificate. May hold a Hunting endorsement and a Sport Shooting endorsement.

Sport Shooting Holders may posses unlimited firearms in accordance with the regulations of a registered Shooting Sport Club. Firearms registered as such may only be used at events sanctioned by said club. Requires club membership in good standing, a 2 day firearms safety course, valid Advanced First Aid certificate, and must be renewed annually with proof of continued good standing in any/all clubs. May not be endorsed with other standards, but may be applied as an endorsement.

Collection Holders may possess unlimited firearms. Requires 2 day firearms safety course as well as inspected storage for all firearms. May only discharge firearms under this license where endorsements are applied or at ranges with a registered collector endorsement. While collection license permits endorsements, unlike other licenses the endorsements are applied on a per-gun basis, and do not apply to the collection as a whole. May hold all endorsements including military, on a per-gun basis.

Military A military license is issued by the Armed Forces, National Police, or other certified government organization. Requires completion of training specified by each governmental organization. Issued to all armed service members, national police, and members of other organizations expected to carry firearms as part of their duties upon completion of required training. Valid until end of service without renewal, may be retained for post-service reserve status with renewal every 2 years, or private ownership with secondary reserve status renewal every 5 years. May hold all endorsements. Holders or their firearms may be called for national service under the Conscription Act.

Ringerike
Ringerike has several levels of firearms permits and licences, ranging from a point of sale background check, to the Prohibited Weapons Authorization Certificate (Usually only issued to corporations for the development of such items), they are as follows:

Background Check A background check is carried out at the point of sale firearms within that to category if the purchaser does not hold a licence, namely Rimfire Rifles, Shotguns etc.

Grade 1 Weapons Licence A Grade 1 Weapons licence is issued upon completion of the application process, which involves a more thorough background check, a medical examination, and provision of the required references, this licence covers all weapons in the 'shall issue' category, further sub-permits are required for concealed carry and armed security work both of which require attendance of police approved courses.

Grade 2 Weapons Licence A Grade 2 Weapons licence is issued upon completion of another application process, in which the person, who must already hold a grade 1 weapons licence, is to provide a valid reason for owning a weapon in the 'may issue' category, and must also prove that they will be secured in such a fashion that every measure is taken to ensure they will not fall out of their possession.

Prohibited Weapons Authorization Certificate A Prohibited Weapons Authorization Certificate will only be issued to the arms development industry, and in certain cases, to services requiring the use of explosives or explosive projectiles (Mining, Demolition or Avalanche Control Services etc.), one of these certificates must be issued for each type of weapon to be owned by the applicant.

Embrea
Embrean weapons law is based on the Firearms and Other Weapons Control Act of 1929 and has historically sought to balance public safety against the scope of potential lawful use of a specific firearm or class of firearms. As a mountainous, subarctic nation, sport shooting and hunting have long been an ingrained part of Embrean culture, and regulators have thus been deferential to these disciplines when considering the scheduling of firearms.

Embrea does recognize a right to defense of self, family and property, but courts have persistently held that such defense must be proportional to the actual or perceived threat presented and the right to carry a firearm for this purpose typically requires evidence of an active, ongoing threat from a known individual or group. Firearms may be carried openly except where such carry is likely to cause public alarm or otherwise disturb the peace.

Requisite licensure is required to be obtained prior to purchase, and presented by purchaser upon tender. Private firearms retailers do not exist in Embrea; new firearms must be ordered direct from the manufacturer. Private sales between individuals are facilitated using the Crown (typically via local police or gendarme station) as an intermediary, where the selling individual transfers the firearm to the Crown upon receipt of consideration, after which the firearm is then transferred to the purchasing individual following requisite checks and licensure.

Weapons are categorized according to the following schedule:

Unscheduled Weaponry includes non-firearms as well as objects having the visual appearance of weaponry but incapable of firing live projectiles. No minimum age or other conditions for purchase exists for such weaponry. Individual firearm components and accessories are generally unscheduled.

Schedule C Weapons are those commonly employed in the disciplines of hunting and sport shooting, whose ordinary use and display is unlikely to entail risk to human life nor public alarm. Weaponry of this type does not require any licensure or justification of purchase, beyond a background check affirming good mental and moral character. Rounds for firearms are classified Schedule C, regardless of the scheduling of the firearm itself.

Schedule B Weapons are those whose features make them suitable for lawful sporting purposes but which also give rise to greater potential risk to human life, or encompass greater potential for public alarm at open display. Colloquially known as the "revolver class," due to specification that the magazine may not detach from the firearm during the course of its regular use, as is the case with the chamber of a revolver-type handgun. Schedule B licensure requires a background check as well as a justifiable purpose for ownership, which must demonstrate that a Schedule C weapon is unsuitable for intended purpose. Acceptable justifications are:
 * Self-Defense: Applicant requires weapon for defense of self, family or property from a known hostile or adversarial party.
 * Hunting/Animal Control: Applicant requires weapon for use in hunting game animals for sport or sustenance, or for use in culling vermin or undesirable animals on or about applicant's property.
 * Sporting: Applicant practices, or intends to practice, disciplines of skill involving fixed or moving inorganic targets, e.g. skeet, trap, etc. as part of a club or society organized for such purpose.
 * Law Enforcement/Crown Servant: Applicant is employed in law enforcement or in service of the Crown where such service requires possession of weapon during daily job activities.

Schedule A Weapons are those whose features preclude or are excess to lawful sporting use, and which present a great risk to public safety and high potential to cause public alarm at open display. Schedule A licensure requires a background check as well as a justifiable purpose for ownership, which, as in the case of Schedule B licensure, must demonstrate that weapons of lower schedules are unsuitable for intended purpose. Acceptable justifications are:
 * Self-Defense: Applicant requires weapon for defense of self, family or property from a known hostile or adversarial party.
 * Law Enforcement/Crown Servant: Applicant is employed in law enforcement or in service of the Crown where such service requires possession of weapon during daily job activities.
 * VIP Security: Applicant is employed in private security role on behalf of a business or individual whose public standing presents risk of severe harm from opportunistic violent crime.

Schedule R Weapons are those considered wholly unsuitable for any lawful purpose, whose risk to public safety and extreme potential for public alarm at display renders them unfit for private ownership. Devices of this class may be issued to active-duty members of the military and law enforcement as part of their duties, subject to internal procedures.

=Firearm ownership by country=