Difference between Gun Laws U.S. and Gun Laws Abroad
Gun laws are some of the most hotly contested social issues nowadays, and policies vary as widely as the opinions of people. On the one hand, you have proponents that support the right to responsible gun ownership, and on the other, you have people that wish to restrict their access drastically. Gun laws in the U.S. and gun laws abroad are markedly different as well, and it is these two that we compare in this article.
Definition
The term “gun laws” refers to legislation that regulates the sale and ownership of firearms. These laws tend to vary greatly depending on the type of firearm in question, and of course on the country in which the laws apply.
Gun law issues are some of the most hotly contested in the political and social arenas of many countries. The issue has caused significant divisions even among groups of proponents and critics, and there are many different viewpoints on how such laws should be instilled in society. One common point of contention has to do with whether or not guns should be banned outright in the interest of public safety, or whether gun ownership by the public actually improves safety and should therefore be allowed. A significant factor in the issue is the fact that there is often a black market component to gun ownership, with individuals and organization illegally providing the public with firearms. Other issues involve the illegal manufacture of firearms, cross border transactions, accidental shootings, and the right to bear arms for self defense.
Scope
In the United States, gun laws vary widely from state to state, and these laws are often passed or vetoed independently of federal firearms laws. Depending on the state in question, these laws may have a broader or more limited scope than federal gun laws. Certain states have also implemented laws regarding the use of assault weapons, and these laws are often independent of the now expired federal ban on assault weapons.
Gun laws abroad differ widely abroad as well, with Canada and the United Kingdom having significantly different laws than the United States. The issue is much less controversial in Canada, and it is widely seen as less contentious than it is in the United States. In fact, much of the gun ownership issues in Canada stem from firearm owners who wish to maintain their right to own guns for sport and subsistence. This is particularly true among the countries aboriginal peoples. In 1995, the Firearms Act was passed in Canada, and this law basically vetoes the use of firearms for self-defense purposes.
Restrictions
In the United States, state firearms laws are generally less restrictive than federal firearms laws. Nonetheless, this does not imply immunity against prosecution for federal law violations. Making things even more confusing is the fact that state and local police departments typically do not have the legal authority to enforce federal laws.
Summary
Gun laws U.S.
- Some of the most hotly contested in the political and social arenas
- Vary widely from state to state
- Often passed or vetoed independently of federal firearms laws
- More Americans own guns than citizens of any other country
Gun laws abroad
- Canada and the United Kingdom having significantly different gun laws than the United States
- The issue is much less controversial in Canada
- The United Kingdom has an insignificant gun ownership ratio when compared to any Western country
