Gun control, or firearms regulation, is the set of laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians.[1][2]
Most countries allow civilians to own firearms, but have strong firearms laws to prevent violence. Only a few countries, such as Namibia, Yemen and the United States are categorized as permissive.[a][3]
Jurisdictions that regulate civilian access to firearms typically restrict ownership of certain lethal firearms, and require a mandatory gun safety course or firearms license to own or carry a weapon.
In some countries, such as the United States, gun control measures can be implemented at the national, state, or local levels.
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- ^ Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (2005). Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide (PDF). Archived 2021-04-24 at the Wayback Machine U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved: January 3, 2016.
- ^ "Firearms-Control Legislation and Policy". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on 2022-05-30. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- ^ Alpers, Philip; Wilson, Marcus (9 June 2020). "Guns in the United Nations: Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy". Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney. Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2016-08-27 – via GunPolicy.org.