Firearms in Japan

i wish we could get even the airsoft guns here in australia...but only police and armed forces are allowed them...even airsoft r banned to the public...sad

Gun laws are pretty relaxed in the U.S. There is a waiting period for getting a gun from a gun store, but often that can be circumvented. There is also a loophole in gun code where "Gun Collectors" can own just about any form of weapon available. Which means private citizens can legally own automatic weaponry as long as they are a "collector".

As far as airguns go, I believe you have to be above 18 to purchase most places, and all air-soft or toy weaponry is required to have an orange cap on the muzzle of the gun. There have been several incidents in the U.S. where police officers have shot down kids with toy guns because they thought the guns were real.

The U.K. has stricter gun control than the U.S. but it has a lot more knife crime does it not? I work with some people in the U.K. from time to time and they are always talking about kids stabbing each other.

I think Japan's success comes from its strict regulation of both guns and bladed weaponry.

Somehow I got a feeling someone's gonna make a crack about firearms they already hav... nevermind :P I had a couple friends brought me to a shooting range before when I visited the states, it's quite fun but can be quite tiring ^^; we would shoot the target (paper?) then draw characters on the target after :P

Mother to child- Now sweety, in case of zombie hordes attacking, which weapon should you reach for first?

Child- The Benelli M4 Super 90 12 gauge semi-auto shot gun with buck shots!

Having guns is considered a right in this country and not a privilege, and so it's disturbingly easy to get permits, guns, and ammunition here. It's a rather polarizing political subject, too--there's a large group of people who believe that we desperately need more gun control, and there's another large group who are convinced if we don't all have guns we're totally unsafe. I'm more in the former camp, since I'm a bit of a pacifist, and believe the second ammendment, which was written to allow the general populace to carry firearms so they could rebel against their government, both warped and outdated.

Actually, I agree with a few comedians (can't quite remember who) and think we need *ammunition* control. Tax the bejeesus out of every single bullet, so they cost something absurd like $1000 each. Then driveby shootings and casually leaving loaded guns around wouldn't happen, because one missed shot and you've got tons of money down the drain.

singapore has strict laws governing procession of firearms. same applies to replica guns as well. toy guns made of plastic or rubber are fine but anything that is metallic, hollow or has a charging handle will be confiscated by the custom or police. that's why we cannot bring in the Master Replica's E-11 blaster. :-/

speaking of which, i am currently waiting for my rubber MG34 for my Sandtrooper to arrive. :3

I used to belong to an actual shooting club in the UK (air and small caliber rifles) before it all got shut down after the Dunblane incident (Scotland).

Was a shame as I really enjoyed it, so when we went to America last year I made a point of going to a shooting range for nostalgic purposes. Was nice being able to use a proper weapon, and my aim is still pretty damn good considering I had not used a rifle in 12 years.

The only guns you'd see around here are water pistols or those toy guns which load pellets that go 'boom.'

Mom: Son, go for the MP5, it suit your body size, and also make sure you have a secondary weapon-pistol for a quick draw.

Son: Ok mommy~

Although airsoft gun is illegal in Malaysia, there're still a lot of enthusiasts collect them discreetly.
As for owning a real firearm, only those government authorities & security workforce are officially authorized. High profile businessmen can apply for it too, just fill up the application form, make sure the applicant slip in a stack of cash in the envelop, submit to the Head of Police, then waiting to be approved ;-)

Nowadays anyone can apply for a TASER for those people who can afford it, just apply via a security agency & sign up yourself as the company's security, then pay a monthly settlement fee.

Yes, there are many ways of getting around law with money ;-)

I've used guns, and I wouldn't mind owning one. Canadian gun laws, however, make it a huge pain to own one.

BB guns here is a no no no. Past few years some peeps use it to rob, that's why it became illegal.

One of the great things about living in Montana is that we enjoy firearm rights protected by the State Constitution. In fact, if you don't have a criminal record, you can even get a concealed carry permit (which, coincidentally, does not allow you to carry in banks or bars but that seems to be pretty reasonable). My family has had guns since I was born; my dad and I would always go shooting prairie dogs, target shooting, hunt pheasant, or even clean out some barn swallows. We've even had to shoot a wild dog from time to time.

As long as individuals are responsible about maintaining and securing their firearms (and have no history of crime or violence) I think they should be allowed to keep and bear arms.

Well gun laws are pretty normal here i guess. You can carry them around if you have a concealed weapons permit. And buy them if your over 18 as long as you dont have certain felonys that you have done. In my house there are probably 30+ firearms. There mostly used for hunting but i would say about once every year we take about 10 guns up in the mountains and shoot stuff for the day. I own 1 airsoft gun though. Mine is also a beretta replica. Its spring loaded and shoots at around 309fps

Son: Mommy, let's get one of those rifles - for our pet dog.
Mom: Yes, what we need are shotguns, and they don't have them here.
***
What a coincidence that you're talking about guns and airsoft.

Here in the Philippines we have a few nominal gun control laws. In reality, some people can easily get their mitts on unlicensed guns. The right bribe slipped to the right official/officer gets you your very own illegal firearm. I'm sure the government will try to crack down again soon since we have general elections coming up next year, but it's usually a safe bet that for every unlicensed firearm they'll find, there will be maybe three to five more that they won't.

I'm a total newbie at shooting things and don't even play FPS games, but this weekend I think I'm supposed to suit up for a round of airsoft action. We have quite a few teams around here and they have real maps and all to practice their skills on. Will report back after I go through the experience. I hope my bruises will go away quickly. XD

i own a handful of airguns, and would like to own a real gun at some point. i know some people who shoot and say its a lot of fun. i also think i would be too paranoid to actually keep bullets in the same building as the gun, in case someone breaks in and shoots me with it. i can just buy bullets when i go to the range to shoot right?

Sadly I live in Southern California, where crime is way too the norm. It's scary, people get shot in the city I live in almost every day, along with everything else. US Gun laws are a joke, too many people have them and way too easy for the wrong people to get them everywhere.

I really appreciated the fact that crime is so much lower in Japan. Yet I find people don't understand that and have even been insulted when I said that was a reason I would like to live there. Makes me wish those guys would have to live where I do. And I'm not even in the worst part of Southern Calif.

Yeah I remember the news in Japan when I was there, one big story was when a vending machine caught fire.

Photo caption:
Mommy "Let's get you an air gun just like that crazy lady in Canaan!"

theyre pretty strict in my state. no CCW for non-police personnel and no mags that can carry more than 15 rounds. i hate NJ.

No guns. No BB guns.

Like i've said many times, it sucks living out here sometimes

There's so much illegally owned guns in my hometown that it's amazing that shooting cases are extremely rare! It's a different story on the west peninsula of my country though. As for airsoft guns, it's illegal to own in my country, but that doesn't stop people from purchasing them discreetly. Sometimes, I wonder why they can't just legalize airsoft under tight control instead of keeping it illegal, which will only help feed smugglers with dough.

Japan has given permits of up to 50 people nationwide to be able to use a gun for their sport.

Here it works like this: normal people aren't allowed to have guns unless they are in the army or hunters. However criminals have an easy time getting whatever they want, even machineguns. As wicked as it may sound we might have less shooting if normal people had guns and could shoot back. It wouldn't affect the criminals by allowing guns because they already have them. Personally I would like to disarm the criminals but the politicians consider that a police state and is incompatible with personal freedom. For some reason the system is more interested in jailing people like shop clerks who fight/shoot back during a robbery. After all they send armed robbers to the hospital, which is viewed as quite bad O_O

Lol.
News can be 'remodelled' as well my friend.

Most of my friends own some. Still feel weird about owning something like that.. But, I do own some paintball guns.. but that's a whole other story there..

No guns here at all not even BB/Air guns but you can get a permit for a gun for like shooting ranges and other things I think, the law differs in every state though.

Not my thing. Was shot at point blank before - boy did that hurt!

Wait are those airsoft guns? I'm amazed thehy can sell it that blatantly if those are indeed Airsoft battery powered guns (like Tokyo Marui guns).

airsoft guns are great~ i love 'em especially the high powered ones that can shoot through wood^^
i actually own 2 guns, one thompson & one m16~

The Second Amendment gets waved around in the United States by a lot of Gun Enthusiasts, Right Wing Conservatives, etc. whenever the issue of Gun Control comes up: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

I have no issue with people owning Handguns or Shotguns, whether it be for protection or sport. I do, however, have a problem with Assault Rifles or anything more powerful being owned by private citizens. Of course, if I say something like this in my state, which is very Conservative Politically, I get labeled as "Un-American" by those who <3 their guns, which means they aren't going to listen to anything I have to say on the subject, pro or con. Sort of like the Health Care debate that's going on right now, but that's a whole other debate that I'd rather not get into.

Here in the Philippines, anyone (18 years old and above, mind you) can own a gun. You just need to fill some paper works and stuff. The same goes for airsoft guns. You need a license for each gun, real or not. My dad used to own two handguns but he sold it sometime ago. I'm planning to enlist as a reservist (like my dad) so that I can buy guns without too much hassle :D

Man, I missed the recoil of a real gun and the gunpowder smell!

Singapore are too kiasi(scared die) so won't let us one~~

Disclaimer: I own a gun.

That said, I believe what's so "American" about owning guns is really the fact that the our government allows you to. It is a testament to the faith and trust of the founders of the nation that they enshrine the ability to own the tools that enable the citizens to overthrow a government as a pillar of foundation for that very government itself. Say what you will about having a gun for defense or sport, and say what you will about gun control and the things you need to do to legally own a gun, the most important thing about owning a gun in America is that the United States government allows you to.

Should go to grounds where you can play with airsoft against each other, akin to paintball but with your own arms. I've heard that these replica guns can be very similar to the real thing in terms of looks.

Aw - i have MP5 SMG, spas 12 shotgun, and desert eagle airsoft guns and theyre great for admiring, holding and just looking cool. I brought them a few years ago, but now, any airsoft gun sold in the uk has to be predominantly coated in luminous paint to stop them looking lifelike! I really want a steyr aug, p90 and a FAMAS rifle, but its technically illegal to bring them in from other countries :-(
Saw some great ones in berlin. Shame too - there are lots of gun nutters going mad and shooting up schools in germany and the US, yet their airsoft guns are largely unchanged.

Stupid UK people making the government introduce stupid laws...!

In my country its really stupid. All the criminals have unlicensed firearms, and now the police are trying to take licensed firearms away from the citizens, stating that they want to reduce crime. But the problem is the CRIMINALS with firearms, not the citizens.

Im glad only law enforcement guys have guns in Japan, thats great.

Unlike the US or other countries that allowed civilians to owned or carry guns, in Indonesia guns are strictly forbidden. And I don't think that there are official sellers or distributors around. Most of the rules are the same like Japan here in my country. But crimes of stabbing and thievery are common

What are the gun laws like in your region?
- They're there, but it's just written in paper. It is taken lightly.
Do you or your folks keep firearms at home?
- Yes, Dad has one. I'm still planning to get one for myself.
Have you ever needed to use it?
- Need, no. But we practice our shooting.
How about the purchase and ownership of airguns?
- You can practically own your dream gun (revolver/pistol/smg/long/sniper/future weapon-ish) depending on your contacts.. if you know what I mean..

I love BB gun I have around erm 8-12

Y'know Danny, some of us UK people are going to start to get offended soon at you constantly badmouthing the place. I know it's not the safe-haven that Japan is, but the vast majority of it is nowhere near as bad as you make out.

Not a single gun is allowed in singapore for normal folks

Am I the only one finding it weird to see BEYBLADES lying down in between all those guns? XD I guess they're deadly after all...

Well, i prefer Gotcha guns
But i'd like one of these, just for fun ^^

In Malaysia u cant have guns unless ure in military or police force, other than that those who own a gun will be considered illegal.

Over here inida, where i am studying.
the police here normally carries cane, only certain operation they are allowed to use guns, bodyguards are fine too.
in some village having guns are legal as a family tradition, where all the males will receive an elephant gun.

Well, I am happy to see that police officers have the right to own firearms in Japan ^_^ Although I think the general public should be able to own firearms, I guess with not much space available and a low crime rate, Japan will be ok without citizens owning guns. I am pretty sure that UK police officers aren't allowed to carry firearms, which I think is ridiculous. Anyways, I own a full metal ICS MP5 A4 AEG(Automatic Electric Gun). I will have to pickup a Tokyo Marui G36c when I go to Japan ^_^ Did anybody notice the MP7 labelled as a G36? I about wet myself ^_^

They had the same kind of deal when I was living in Taiwan. Firearms are banned, almost no crime, etc. Amusingly enough, when I went to a police festival in Taipei, the cops actually handed out working, sharpened pocket knives as favors. Here in the states, someone would have been immediately stabbed.

Gun laws are strict here in New York City, which is why I can't bring my semi automatic WASR-10 (Romanian AK Clone), into the city, having to leave it in my old home in Pennsylvania. Although if you want to go to a firing range, you just exit city limits and go into New Jersey.

Getting my AK clone was pretty easy. I just ordered the weapon online through a gun broker, and then had the firearm shipped to a local dealer, who performed the background check on me before allowing me to pick up the weapon. Ammunition (7.62x39mm rifle rounds) for the gun is fairly cheap, and whenever I go back home to PA for vacation, I always bring the weapon out, go to my friend's huge plot of land, and plink (shooting cans, random targets, etc).

I think it largely depends on the state you're in as far as the US goes. Some states are fairly restrictive, but others are pretty free.

You can check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_United_States_(by_state) for current US state gun laws. Living in Kentucky I actually have a concealed carry permit, and routinely go shooting with friends either locally or up in Indiana.

We've been doing it less lately as it's becoming quite an expensive hobby with the current costs of ammunition.

In most parts of the US, owning a firearm requires nothing but a quick background check--and that's only if you're buying from a dealer. Buying from an individual requires no checks at all. Some US states have stricter laws which dictate regulations for purchasing and owning, but that doesn't seem to drop their crime rate at all.

Every once in a while, some one tries to pass a federal law banning "assault weapons" (which is a meaningless term), and the laws generally try to ban things such as safety features. Very sad.

Most US states are now returning to citizens the right to carry weapons (which they are already constitutionally supposed to have...). Most of those states require a thorough training course, a large sum for the license plus a thorough background check from the FBI, which means fingerprints and even more money. Some states simply require an application and a few dollars, or require no permit at all! These states don't have a problem with gun crime. I have a permit, myself. I don't feel a pressing need for arms in my area, but it's better to have and not need than need and not have. Even if a person doesn't want to carry a weapon, I recommend taking the course to learn about the laws involved, as they are relevant to everyone.

Any nation that has disarmed its citizens is bound to return to rulers and subjects, and its citizens left for victims of crime. Japan has been down that road for much of its history, actually, but I think it is unique in the social safety structures it has developed that have allowed in modern times to become such a safe place without its citizens being completely oppressed--even if it developed those structures during a history of oppression. Still, I wonder how things will go in the far future.

Ya know.. this question has come up from time to time.. which makes me think Danny is a secret gun lover ^_^

I've expressed my opinion on this topic, many times.. Which basically boils down to.. Gun control is bad.. Period. It doesn't stop criminals.. so why bother with it. And bear in mind I'm a liberal and I'm saying that.

Regarding about news in UK reporting cases of gun fire and other reports, it maybe their media is more open to report such things. Some media are pretty close to report bad news.

In Singapore where I came from, we are not allow to have even air gun like these photo you have posted. It is a good and bad thing. So the only gun I have are Nerf guns. :)

In New York you can get shot for having one of those. heck even a super soaker colored black can get you shot by the police. This is why I miss Japan!

We can git it here....i think...our country bans import of anything that looks like a gun...so only props made here i guess...

I always thought it would be cool to go to the mountains and do some airsoft. But the good guns cost a few hundred dollars...

From where I come from which is Malaysia like Singapore and Australia we are not allow to play with BB gun and have strict policy on firearm. I like playing air soft gun but it's hard to find anyone sell it T_T

As far as I know, firearms are not banned in Malta. You can keep firearms but you have to pay a licence fee and you cannot carry it about. It is to be used only in self-defence after 7.00 p.m. and as a last resource. BB guns seem to be prohibited in Malta. I really would like to have Robocop's Auto 9.

Yes, the US laws vary highly from state to state, since states rights are highly prized here. NC seems to be fairly easy to own a gun. You have to apply to your local sherrif for a liscence to purchase (unless you already have a concealed weapons permit, which requires a class) and they do a check on you, although each local sherrif is allowed to set their own conditions to a degree. Registration is not required except for Durham county I think (which just happens to be near me), and I think open carry is legal most places except Cary and restrictions on types in Chapel Hill. And for some reason I think the permit is to purchase a gun, you don't actually need a permit to be in possession of a gun, but I might be wrong.

Anyway, in most places (compared to other similar nations), it seems to be insanely easy to own a gun. And people here are right, it's all because US citizens have always had the right to bare arms, so they expect it. It would be better if guns were always banned, like in other countries, but as it is now, there are so many out there that banning them now would only affect law abiding people and probably not affect the sickening crime rate in many parts if this country, which is ashame, but the truth. Gun control laws really would be difficult to impossible to make effective in this country. Plus it would seriously tick a bunch of people off, which is a political no-no :)

So really, it would be nice if a magic wand could make the guns vanish, but in reality, gun control laws in the states make little sense at this point in time. Plus, humans are such that they can always find ways to hur each other, so there would still be violent crime.

Well as a Airsoft, soft air, ect gun owner. They are for recreation only. Never to be used in illegal activities. As people have said. Guns don't kill people. The people firing the gun kill them. A gun just sitting alone does no harm until someone eith evil intent picks it up.

No guns here. BB guns are restricted.

As far as I know, it's pretty easy to own a gun where I live (Michigan, USA). Although being so close to Detroit...plenty of people also own guns illegally. A family friend of ours was given a special permit to hunt bear this year (only a select few are allowed every year), so she and her husband (who can't shoot, but will help her) just left the other day for her bear-hunting trip. Most people I know own guns for hunting, and a few collect guns and use them in firing ranges.

Real guns and BB/airsoft guns are completely legal and relatively easy to obtain here. I own a few airsoft guns and a BB gun. I plan to buy a real gun at some point.

Caption for 1st photo image ID#78790

Mother "You saw daddy and the men in dark suits he hangs around with carrying WHAT?"
Son "mommy I saw daddy with that pistol there and he had the rifle up there on top around his shoulder"
Mother "WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!"

The 2nd amendment is the one thing i love about my country, the right to properly defend your life is IMHO the most important. Besides the police here care more about writing tickets than actually being ...y'know.....competent. No way i would depend too much on them when my life is in danger.

I bet those sportsmen licenses cost major $$$$, they be better off bowhunting. Or is that banned as well?

I love all the air guns and the three Beyblade's lying on top of them. Nice choice in weapon there xD

thank god i live in the US ... more so in Louisiana ... when i turned 21 the first thing i did (after getting some beer) was to buy a handgun ... it took 10 min. for my background check and 500 dollars (from my boss) and i was the proud owner of a Glock 19 ... since i live in a rougher part of town it goes with me almost all places... it was also easy for me to get a concealed permit so i can hide my gun under my shirt...thank god for the 2nd amendment...only anime can give you a love for weapons

Quite strict laws over there!
Guns are allowed for policemen,armed forces, security guards and what have you of course over here. Commoners are allowed to own guns for hunting and sports. But you have to go trough some psychological test and such. Not that easy to get one as in some parts of the US ^_^

What's kinda strange in my opinion is that bows are not mentioned in our laws. Was kinda weird cause when I was into 3D bow archery a few years ago (before I switched to hikikomori-mode) I was allowed to carry a deadly weapon with the age of 15. @_@

I'm not pro-guns and such and don't need one but I'm not sure if banning guns helps. In Switzerland for exapmle they keep their assault rifles after their service time at home. And there aren't much incidents with those guns as far as I know.

As everyone knows, the U.S. has the 2nd Amendment that provides the 'right to keep and bear arms' and has been a topic of heated debate. You have the responsible and not mental gun owners who keep their firearms under lock and key. I know a few people (including my father) who own guns in their home and are perfectly fine. If you ask gun owners, there's a good chance that they'll say they bought their gun for protection, especially for protecting their family. One of the oldest civil rights groups here in the U.S. is the National Rifle Association who use the 2nd Amendment as their shield and have been in effect for more than 100 years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Rifle_Association

Then you have the ones who somehow own a gun and abuse it. I was watching a documentary on gangs in Oakland, CA a few days ago and it just frightened me on how these gangs members (most of them who are teenagers) had these guns and were wielding them freely in front of the cameras. And there are the stories of shootings at schools including the Columbine High School shooting in Colorado ten years ago and the Virginia Tech massacre two and a half years ago.

If events like those that make people think, "Why not just ban guns altogether?" but that would be easier said than done not to mention just plain impossible. The NRA would definitely not approve along with the 40+% of the U.S. population who own a gun. It's been a very interesting topic and it'll be interesting to see where it goes from here.

Used to own an S+W .357 magnum, but got rid of it years ago. Too much of a hassle getting carry permits every time I moved, and also didn't want someone breaking in and stealing it. Wouldn't mind trying airsoft but as far as I know they don't have them here, the guns look to real and are not allowed.

I'm in the United States Air Force Reserves (helps pay for college and makes the old man happy) With my job I am required to have a permit for concealed weapons carry and own a handgun. I have never carried it off duty but it's allowed.

I want a gun along with a concealed weapons permit, just in case. Not really into airsoft guns - I prefer paintball guns over them.

The whole criminal debate over Guns in the US is basically a red herring. Firearms ownership in the US is based on , among other things, the Pre-Existing right by the colonists/revolutionaries to own firearms prior to the American revolution and was codified into the constitution when in was written and ratified. If you think I'm full of crap go read the Heller decision. I'm in law school currently and have read both the 5th and 9th circuit opinions on the second amendment,the 9th circuit opinion was a tortured, meandering piece of dung that tried to justify destroying an amendment from the Bill of Rights.. The second amendment is not about protecting yourself from criminals, it's about protecting your liberty from a tyrannical government; the protection from criminals is just a bonus. I have zero issue with other nations banning firearms within their borders. What is right for another country, such as Japan, should be decided by the citizens who live in that country. It does irritate me though when I read posts from people not living in the US who complain about our laws. I don't presume to tell someone in Australia, Britain, France, Thailand, etc... I dislike their laws; because I don't live there.

That said Airsoft is a fun sport to play, I had a good time when I played it and shooting your budy in the ass with a plastic BB is great fun.

I own several guns myself. A .45, a 12-gauge shotgun and a .30-6 hunting rilfe. No don't blast me with hate because I own some firearms. I keep them then locked up and secured in a safe at home and I only take them out when I go to the shooting range or when I'm hunting, all other times they are locked away and secured. And my father is the only one that knows the combination to the safe. If you own a firearm, do yourself a favor and do it safely. Take a firearm safety class, (they are always being offered in Louisiana) so you can properly operate one.

You can protect yourself and your family from a thieve or something with an airgun, you just have to practice shooting to their eyes/mouth ^^.

People can buy firearms in Florida after a 2 day waiting period at the start of a firearm purchase. The waiting period is to get a background check of the purchaser in question before the sale can be completed as long as you're over 21.

The law in Canada for owning firearms is slightly different though the law enforcement is practically the same. The guards that drive secure and armored vans also have permits to carry firearms. It is possible to legally obtain a firearm given that its not military issue. The government is seeking to ban handguns though I haven't read too much into that. Airsoft guns have always been a gray area here. From what I've heard, it is legal to own an airsoft gun, whether it is a rifle or a pistol, but there is a good possibility the police will confiscate it if you're caught. Sale of an airsoft rifle is legal only if it possesses a clear plastic body. This is what I've heard anyway. Still, obtaining a firearm, whether it is real or airsoft, is quite troublesome.

Well lets see.... in Germany it is really strict. You're not allowed to bring weapons with you in a way, everyone can see it. Means that you have to hide it, like a special bag, or an instrument case or sth. similiar. Air Soft Guns are the same. Well from a certain jule strength you have to own a weapon license to hold it. But you can get them when you're at the age of 14~16 in the shops.
Well it is also a law, that you have to lock it away. It is your responsibility, for example, if your son takes it and does something bad. You'll be the one who will be responsible for this act.
Well all these laws and rules got even more strict after some young people / students (middle school up to high school) ran amok at their school. Like everyone knows "violent games" are at fault... oh yeaaah they are... not...

Oh well that's another topic! ;)

Anyone can get a real one here...but there's only a few places I know that sell replicas...

Hmmmm... No red tips on the guns in the photos??
The replica guns, like the air gun in the photos, as well as toy guns, that I've seen in California recently have a red barrel tip so they are not mistaken for real weapons. Before the red tips there were some unfortunate cases of the police using lethal force when they mistook the replicas for real weapons. See some red tip guns here: http://www.airgunwarehouseinc.com/py-1297.html
The California gun laws are more strict than many of the other states, but still we can buy most common rifle and pistols. I'm glad we have the 2nd amendment in the US, it seems to be working well after all these years.
Thanks for the post, Danny. If you haven't already been, you might want to go to a gun show sometime when you're in the US. They are held every couple of months in San Francisco and other cities in CA and I imagine in other states too. You'll see a fascinating variety of interesting items and people!

“While I am interested in airguns, I have no interest in owning a real gun and dont particularly feel the need for one.”

You should take a trip to the states Danny, and go shooting. From the enormous bang to the recoil and smell, nothing can replace the real deal. I don’t think you would regret it once you try it.

Everyone has their valid point. All understandable. All wrong. All right. I'm right handed you're left, that's not the point. It all comes down to one question. What were firearms designed for in the first place?

Killing

Airsoft guns have to be concealed in Ontario. You are allowed to use it in ranges. However, modifying the airsoft gun is strictly prohibited. You won't make friends if you modify your gun to kill/inflict massive wounds to other players.

Sidetracking on the topic a little, but still regarding firearms law in Singapore.

When you commit a crime (eg, robbery) with a pseudo firearm, you will be charged in court with "possessing a firearm" and "committing a crime with a firearm" which is minimally life imprisonment over here!

I have a few guns (real ones). Just a targeting pistol, targeting rifle, shot-gun and Kentucky rifle. I might be getting a job as an armered car guard I will have to get like 9mm or some else like that.

Airsoft have been a problem around here. Kids have been playing with them in the fron yard and causing problems for our neighbors.

Son: "But, Mom, all the other kids have full-autos"

Mom: "Son, what have I told you? Accuracy over Volume, get the one with the laser!"

日本のエアガンはプラスチック製の弾を使用し、初速が50m/sに制限されています。
また、日本はリアルは銃器の使用が厳しく制限されていて、日常生活でリアルな銃を見る機会はゼロに等しいので、リアルな銃の形を模したトイガンが販売されています。
海外では、日本程に規制が厳しくないので、リアルな銃の形を模したおもちゃの銃は混乱を招くおそれが大きいために、ガスガンも規制され、所持が禁止されているのだと思います。

I have a hunting shotgun for hunting season here, and a 9mm for self defense in our house. I want to have a license for rifles that are used from the army, like the psg1 for sniping hehehe.

Here, we can get real guns, although I'd rather we can't.

Wait, they are selling Airsoft MP7 as G36? The former soldier in me lols very hard...

I live in the US where it is pretty easy to get guns. Personally, I do not like them, I have no reason or want to own a gun, besides, swords are so much manlier.

My town is full of hippies. they don't believe in guns, they believe in Prius cars to stop crime.

However the crime rate is actually startling. The police want you to register your weapon so they know you have it. I don't see how that would lower crime though, I mean, if you were a bank robber, would you want to register your weapon so the police know you have it?

In Hong Kong we are allowed to have airguns. Some can be really expensive, yet some can be really cheap, depending on their origins. I know a few friends of mine have one, and I did consider getting an assault rifle for myself too, but still am a bit wishywashy about it. On the other hand, airguns are not allowed to be transported to mainland China in any sort of way, and vice versa - this has resulted with a lot of mainland Chinese wanted to bribe Hong Kong shopkeepers so that they can smuggle them into the mainland, but most shopkeepers reject such offer as the laws can come down on them heavily.

In Sweden you are given permits to own a gun if you have a firearms license. If you are over 18 years old you are allowed to own a soft airgun.

It's banned in Singapore as well. But what a shame...i feel like owning these guns =(

There is no gun crime in Singapore for this simple reason: If you commit ANY crime using firearms, you are DEAD. It is a CAPITAL OFFENCE to use firearms to commit robbery, murder, kidnapping, etc. You will be hanged, with NO HOPE of clemency, within a few years of conviction, and you will not even be allowed to hug your family before the execution.

airsoft is legal to the fullest where i live. now real guns are a different matter. next to the almost exact list you provided Danny civilians can get real guns. to get a permit you either have to be a politician, hunter, or a civilian that has proven that his life is in danger. in the case of actual using a weapon, yes sure many occasions have a hunting license and i have a few rifles etc. of my own. i am even joining the military soon and hopefully i will get to go to sniper school :)

well, i live in the U.S. and it is pretty easy to get a gun, prob 500 for one of the better ones. i think there's nothing wrong with the ownership if it is for self defense. I've went to a gun range before since I used to live in Texas, so i shot one before, however it was only the 22mm kind, pretty small, never tried anything else. i get quite discerned by the noise(I wear earplugs and then an earmuff) of the gun, and the super hot shell that pops out after shot.

I shot a friend's airgun once....liked it, but never actually got around to buying one....

Haha, airsoft. You guys are kinda lucky, U.S. is required to have an orange tip. It's easy to spot and a pain to carry around.

Used to have an airsoft gun, but lost it due to inappropriate uses.

I still keep the S&W that my father use back then.
Sadly the magazine's lost, this type of mag isn't that much these days.
Well, just hope I can find a mag that's suitable with this one, or I'll just get another new gun...
Snipers aren't that much either...

日本ではエアガンは10歳以上用と18歳以上用の2タイプが売られていますね。
私も子供の頃に持ってた気がします。(今もFN P90を持ってます 使う機会は無いですが･･･)
最近はエアガンで悪い事をする人も居ますし、やはりエアガン規制した方が良いかもしれませんね。

airsoft is legal in Poland and anyone can get one. If you want to have real gun you have to work on government related position or have to get licence. But in fact you can buy every kind of gun on black market and nobody care what you gonna do with that.

I don't have a gun. I think that this world have a lot of problems and me with gun could be just another ^^

Gang crime here is rampant. Many people own fire arms for hunting or protection but many accidents do happen.

Here, in America, we're known worldwide for being the country that has more civilian gunshops than anywhere else in the world. I, myself, do have a slight fascination in firearms. Many of my friends' families own at least handguns, if not hunting rifles and shotguns. Once I turn 21, I plan on getting a firearms license and such to own firearms, just to go shooting at the range and self-defense, nothing stupid. Technically, I could get one now since it is legal at the age of 18, but it's extremely tricky until you're 21.
There are quite a few shootings around as well, but most are within households and those that make top page of the paper and news are usually school shootings, which unfortunately happen quite often. All the more reason to protect oneself, no? ^_^'

we have the 2nd amendment.. so pretty much anyone can own.. which also means all replicas have the red tips to identify them as toy guns..

as for a caption.. i can hear the mom saying, 'i'll make a man out of you! my son will play with guns, not dollfies!!'

I'm sure you can't have a gun here, but don't really know what the laws are. I also noticed that there aren't a whole bunch of airguns. Although I do have friends who have them and tested them out by shooting me. They sting a bit, especially when from point blank ^^;

like in japan here in philippines we are not required to have the orange tip but we can upgrade it to a higher fps and most important one must register their airsoft
it would be nice if i can go there and bring back few to add to my arsenal XD

Its the mindset that's important. Many people are unaware of this but Canada has a higher percentage of gun ownership per capita compared to the US yet has lower gun crimes.

Simply making laws against guns does nothing in the end - its the root cause that must be attended to. Guns are the same as a knife or a car, they can be deadly if used the wrong way. Mere tools, mere things... its the intent that counts.

The American Founding Fathers made sure that gun ownership was a right because they were dreadfully afraid that America would end up like other countries which had oppressive authority who had guns lorded it over those who had nothing to fight back. So Americans had guns and if they mobilized together, could overthrow the government by force if necessary. It was thought as a safety valve against oppressive government. Probably useless today due to advanced weaponry far worse than guns....

The same mindset about making gun ownership a right... is also why the Founding Fathers made it a right that Americans can replace their government if necessary. That's one thing about the US Constitution that many people are unaware about.

I'd just want a Beretta Px4 Type G/Storm just after watching Canaan =w=''

Good for play Counter Strike jeje

well u just shoot roos?

In Serbia you are allowed to own a firearm (hand gun, pistol or revolver)but You cant take it away from home(and to have it you cant be convicted of a crime). If you hunt then you can take your rifle to hunting ground but it must not be loaded except on shooting ground. If You wont to carry it on You you need a special permit(for example, if you carry money to the bank from your business, or for personal protection)it is difficult to get that carrying permit. However it is not difficult to get an illegal firearm. There has been few around wars so... I would like for it to be here like in Japan.. I own a Zastava M48 mauser 7.9 rifle and a Valther PPK 7.65 like james bond :-) legally off course.

Here in the United States under our 2nd Amendment Laws, every law-biding citizen can legally own a gun (hand gun, shotgun, rifle, machine gun). You have to register though, and attend a class on concealed weapons course. From there the instructors give you a folder with registration papers to fill out and you send it out along with your passport photo to your state's capitol for screening. If you have a clean criminal record, you can get a license to
own a firearm.
Out here in Florida along with Georgia, Alabama, The Carolinas and other southern states, are very pro-gun states. In Florida, they now passed a law called "The Castle Doctrine Law". This law gives you the right to protect your family and home from armed and violent intruders.
Yes, this means you can shoot and kill anyone who breaks into your house. I am a licensed gun owner, my weapon is the Mossberg 12-guage pump shotgun. Down here in the south we call it the
"Boom Stick", my shotgun's name is "Betsy". ^_^

searching issf's shooter db brings up quite a good number of japanese competitors. i would really like to visit a range in japan and see if its any different from what we have here.

regarding the laws for (sporting) guns, it goes a little further here. guns must be stored in an approved armoury and cannot be taken home. transporting them to other ranges must also be approved by the police beforehand.

Personally, I'm glad that Japan has such strict rules on who can own guns. I'm sure it cuts down on the percentage of fatal shootings that occur each year.
However I do wish they would allow more civilians to own guns for sport shooting like skeet.
In my family, there's a few shotguns and a rifle or two, and they've only been used for skeet shooting and scaring crow flocks off our property. I don't imagine it would be very intrusive or bothersome if we had to store our guns at the police station. It would certainly save us the cost of having to buy a special vault/locker for them!

Wow!Here a high school girl was expelled and arrested just for bringing a wooden rifle cut out to class cause she needed it for an after school play.Your allowed to have life-like air soft guns without the dumb orange tip!

Sucks to be in NJ in the US. I got arrested once last summer and lost all my airsoft stuff. I was in my car about to drive off to a field with some friends when a cop pulled a gun on us, about 5 minutes later there were 6 cop cars next to us. I got released 30 minutes later from the police station, and later on (a few weeks actually) got a call saying there are no charges.

Still stupid though, as there are no laws forbidding me from owning airsoft stuff. Well, no matter, I've learned to be more careful and steadily rebuilding my supply, only going to paintball fields to play now. or in my own house.

I love BB Warfare manage to get my chance to play with airsoft at hongkong when i went there for attachment. At hongkong you have to transport your airsoft in a enclose bag else you will be detain by police on sight. I have tried playing BB warfare with just a t-shirt & sure it is painful at close range especially when the area we are playing at is not even half of a football field end up with bruises over the body. I do hope someday that Singapore do allow the owning of airsoft for BB warfare but with strict control just like hongkong.

i only have one ToT beretta 92