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Gun culture refers to the attitudes, feelings, values and behaviour of a society, or any social group, in which guns are used. [1] The term was first coined by Richard Hofstadter in an American Heritage article critiquing gun violence in the United States. [2]
Local gun cultures are found all around the world, and attitudes toward guns vary greatly. [3] Among the most studied and discussed global gun cultures is that of the United States. [4]
Like British gun culture, Canadian gun culture largely emphasizes sport-shooting and hunting, rather than self-defense. Sport-shooting has always been a popular activity for both gun-owners and non-gun-owners in Canada. It is also a bridge between American and British attitudes towards firearms. [5] In recent years, the Conservative Party has focused on rolling back gun control laws. [6]
Due to Canada's proximity to and close history and cultural ties with the United States, the cultural and socio-political environment surrounding firearms has recently begun to emulate American attitudes, where those who oppose stricter gun laws as well as the right to use guns for personal protection tend to vote for the Conservative Party as well as other right-leaning groups, and those who support stricter gun laws and are opposed to legalizing the use of firearms for self-defence tend to vote for the Liberal Party, New Democratic Party or other liberal and left-leaning groups in the country. [6] [7]
Gun laws in the Czech Republic are loose, but firearm ownership is low; while guns are seen as a symbol of freedom and resistance and are part of a centuries-long history of Czech civilian firearms possession, most firearm ownership today is driven by hobbyists. [8]
Firearms possession was banned during German Nazi occupation and then allowed only to those deemed loyal during the Communist regime. Today, the right to be armed is seen as an attribute of liberty in the country. [9] [8] The 2021-2025 Government Policy Declaration undertakes to "preserve the rights of legal gun owners". [10] 28% of members of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament keep firearms; some of them are believed to conceal carry also within the parliament grounds. [11] [12] Like most constitutions, the Czech constitution does not contain a provision protecting the right to bear arms; the Firearms Act, which regulates gun ownership, requires ID cards, proficiency exams, and continuous oversight of gun owners' criminal backgrounds. [8]
Gun culture in Greece varies greatly through different regions of the country. The country has strict gun laws, allowing gun ownership only for hunting purposes and people at high risk. However, there is a strong gun culture in the island of Crete, where illegal guns are common [13] [14] [15] and Peloponnese, especially in the regional Mani peninsula. [16] [15]
Israeli gun laws are among the strictest in the world. [17] A civilian would need to apply for a gun license, and demonstrate a need to own a firearm. Therefore, it is rather difficult for an average civilian to attain a firearms license, unless he/she lives in an area proven to be dangerous, or has the necessary military experience required by Israeli law. [18] These restrictions have contributed to a lower incidence gun deaths in Israel than in America. [19] [18]
Israeli gun culture is shaped by the military and associated with serving in some armed service; men and women over the age of 18 (with exceptions), are required to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. [20] According to Danial Gordis, senior vice president of Shalem College, Israel's gun culture is shaped by the many wars it has fought, Israeli society has emphasized the need to be armed and well-trained; during the 2002 Intifada, guns were a common sight as civilians needed to protect themselves. [21]
Gun ownership, especially in the mountainous northwest, is part of traditional Pakistani culture. Rifles are handed down from generation to generation for hunting and for celebratory fire. In the 21st century, increases in terrorist threats, and particularly in urban kidnappings, extortions, and robberies, has led to an increase in civilian demand for guns for self-protection. [22]
Males between the age of 18 and 30 are conscripted and can choose to do the military service and – as part of that – can keep their issued firearms at home.
The SAT (Shooting and Off-Duty Activities) funds lessons in which Swiss children can learn how to shoot using the SIG SG 550 starting at 15 years old for the regular course, [23] but as young as 10. [24] This activity is free and the Young Shooters are able to take home the rifle between the lessons if they are 17. [25] However, the bolt has to stay at the range in which they attend the lesson. This activity takes place over a span of six years in three-to-four month periods per year and, if wanted, they can pursue and become instructors for the new generation of Young Shooters. [26]
Minors cannot acquire firearms independently, but can be lent firearms by their shooting club or their legal representative. [27] The firearm is then registered to their name for the duration of the lending and they can then transport and use it alone.
Switzerland holds the biggest shooting competition in the world: the Eidgenössisches Feldschiessen ("Federal Field Shoot"). This competition takes place annually and in 2012 they counted 130,000 participants. [28] Every Swiss who is 10 or older can take part at any federal ranges and will be able to shoot for free with the ordinance rifle. [29]
Firearms are widely used for competition in sport-shooting. In 2016 SwissOlympics conducted a study on clubs and members in Switzerland: the Swiss Shooting Sport Federation (SSSV) is ranked 2nd in terms of clubs and 9th in terms of members. [30] Those affiliated with the Federation are shooters who require a license in order to compete.
The U.K. has some of the strictest gun control laws in the world. [14] [31] U.K. gun culture is mostly represented by shooting sports. [32] Clay-pigeon shooting is one of the more popular sports and shotguns are by far the most common form of firearm. In March 2021, official figures reported there being 1.3million legally held shotguns in circulation, compared with around 358,000 rifles. [33] Firearms are predominantly very popular among the rural communities.
Outside of Northern Ireland, self-defence is not generally considered a "good reason" for the issuing of a firearm certificate, although the use of a legally held firearm in an act of self-defence is not itself unlawful. [34] Outside of Northern Ireland, Police officers are not routinely armed with firearms, and are supported by Authorised firearms officers where the situation requires an armed response.
Organisation of shooting sports is highly fragmented. British Shooting manages high performance programmes for the Olympics, however individual shooters are represented by discipline-specific organisations including the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA), National Small-bore Rifle Association (NSRA) and National Rifle Association (NRA - not to be confused with the unrelated National Rifle Association of America). The largest hunting and field sports body is the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
Gun ownership in the United States is constitutionally protected by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Firearms are widely used in the United States of America for self-defense, hunting, and recreational uses, such as target shooting. Gun politics is polarized between advocates of gun rights, typically conservative and libertarian, and those who support stricter gun control, usually liberal. The gun culture of the United States can be considered unique among developed countries, in terms of the large number of firearms owned by civilians and generally permissive regulations. [4]
Yemen's gun culture is very similar to that of Pakistan's, in that firearms ownership is not only used for self-defense, but also used in celebratory fire. Guns also had a higher demand after the 2011 uprisings and other political insecurities throughout the country. Owning a firearm in Yemen is seen in a positive light, as society views it as a symbol of manhood and leadership. Tribesman even carry their firearms to mediate disputes between other tribal leaders. [37]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of September 2025 (link)Judge Michael Pert QC told the pair: "I make it plain that, in my judgment, being shot is not mitigation. If you burgle a house in the country where the householder owns a legally held shotgun, that is the chance you take. You cannot come to court and ask for a lighter sentence because of it."
CNN's attribution: Developed countries are defined based on the UN classification, which includes 36 countries. Source: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (Global Burden of Disease 2019), Small Arms Survey (Civilian Firearm Holdings 2017)