By Ashley Kim
In light of current events, the proposition to strengthen gun laws has resurfaced. Regardless of which side of the debate you are on, it is inarguable that the United States has one of the most lenient gun control policies in the world. As many are aware, the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms. Of course, there are restrictions: at the federal level, the Gun Control Act of 1968 regulates who can own firearms based on age, criminal history, history of mental illness, etc (ATF). Each state also has its own regulations in addition to the federal laws. In spite of these restrictions, however, there is a large loophole that undermines the laws: not every gun seller is required to possess an FFL (Federal Firearms License), so not every buyer is legally subject to a background check (Giffords Law Center). Moreover, the background check is extremely lax: most of the time, it takes just minutes to complete, and only 2% of the applicants are rejected (The Trace). After the background check, you are legally qualified to purchase and own a gun. Hence, it is extremely easy for an American citizen to purchase a firearm; in fact, more than 40% of Americans are in possession of a gun or live in a household with one (Pew Research Center). Many argue that these leniencies and loopholes are the causes of so many mass shootings and other gun-related crimes.
Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, China, and Singapore have the lowest rates of gun violence in the world. They also have some of the strictest regulations—could this be the reason for the extremely low number of gun-related deaths in these nations? Outlined below are the gun control regulations of three countries in different parts of Asia:
Japan
Under Japan’s 1958 law, “no one shall possess a firearm or firearms or a sword or swords.” The government later qualified this restriction by stating that the only exceptions are shotguns, air guns, guns with specific purposes (research, industrial, etc), and those used for competitions (The Guardian). Even for these permitted guns, however, you must go through an exhaustive process to be able to lay your hands on them. First, you must join a hunting or shooting club to demonstrate a valid reason for the possession of a gun. You must then take classes, trainings, and pass written and firing exams; have a doctor prove your mental stability and lack of history of drug abuse; apply for various permits and certificates; go through police interviews and background checks; buy a gun safe and an ammunition locker that meet specific safety requirements; and have this storage inspected by the police. After all these steps, you must go through a final background check to be able to finally buy a gun (The New York Times). On average, this process takes about four months or longer (Washington Post).
Singapore
Singapore also has one of the severest gun control policies in the world. As in Japan, you must pass several background checks that examine your criminal, medical, and mental-health records. You must also pass a firing test. The stringent aspect is manifested through its punishments for firearm possession or usage. If you are arrested for unlawful possession of arms, you will be imprisoned for a period of time between five and ten years and also be punished with at least six strokes of the cane. If that weren’t enough, the country also calls for “mandatory death penalty for anyone who discharges a firearm in the course of committing a serious offence, even if no one is injured or killed” (Library of Congress). Hence, the mere intention of using the firearm will have you face death row.
India
India’s laws may be slightly laxer compared to the previous two countries, but you are still required to go through numerous steps. You must first demonstrate a valid reason for the necessity of firearm, such as joining a shooting club or proving that you are, or your property is, under threat. You must then attend a training to learn about proper firearm handling and shooting, prove your mental stability with a doctor’s note, show that you have a proper safe for the firearm, go through an extensive background check that examines your tax returns, criminal records, mental health history, and even your relationships with your family and neighbors (The New York Times). After passing all these requirements, you may purchase a gun.
Although these countries have slightly different laws regarding gun control, there is one thing they have in common: the applicant is subject to thorough requirements and procedures that will take months, even years, to complete before he or she can lay hands on a firearm. This ensures that guns are in possession of very few, qualified individuals. Furthermore, there are no loopholes, no exceptions—what will finally prompt America to strengthen its laws and keep its citizens safe?
