Gun laws in American Samoa regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the unincorporated territory of American Samoa. [1] [2]
Gun laws in American Samoa regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the unincorporated territory of American Samoa. [1] [2]
| Subject/Law | Long guns | Handguns | Relevant statutes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit required to purchase? | Yes | N/A | A license is required to possess or import long guns or ammunition. Handguns are prohibited for civilian possession despite D.C. v Heller and McDonald v Chicago. | |
| Firearm registration? | Yes | Yes | All firearms must be registered with the American Samoa Public Safety Department. | |
| Assault weapon law? | No | No | All handguns and centerfire firearms banned; Only 12, 16, 20 and 410 gauge shotguns and shotgun shells and 22 caliber rifles and their ammunitions are allowed | |
| Magazine capacity restriction? | No | No | ||
| Concealed carry allowed? | N/A | No | Concealed carry is illegal. | |
| License required for open carry? | Yes | Yes | Open carry is legal for holders of a valid License to Possess which are required to purchase and possess firearms; [3] though Licenses to Possess have been restricted to only shotguns and rimfire rifles since 1991, effectively banning handguns. [4] Licenses issued for handguns and other firearms prior to 1991 are grandfathered as long as they remain valid. [5] | |
| NFA weapons restricted? | Yes | Yes | Explosive weapons, machine guns, gas guns, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns, and silencers are prohibited. [6] | |
| Peaceable journey laws? | No | No | Federal law (FOPA) applies. |
American Samoa has a very stringent and restrictive licensing process necessary in order to purchase a firearm in American Samoa. A person has to be 21 to get a weapons license along with several other requirements. Open carry is allowed with a weapons license, concealed carry is illegal. A person who wants to obtain a license to possess a firearm must provide genuine reason why the firearm may be required. The applicant must provide signed affidavits testifying to their good character and their stated need for each firearm from the village mayor, county chief and the police. The most commonly accepted reasons for ownership are plantation protection and hunting but ownership for self-defense is not a valid reason for a license to own a gun in American Samoa. The police must approve any transfer of a firearm between persons. [7]
All firearms including automatic firearms, semi-automatic rifles, and handguns are prohibited from civilian possession. Civilians can only own 12-gauge, 16-gauge, 20-gauge and .410 shotguns and .22 caliber rifles with a license. They also can only own ammunition for those types of firearms with a license; possession of any other type of ammunition, whether the person has a license or not, is illegal. [8]
Gun laws and policies, collectively referred to as firearms regulation or gun control, regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, and use of small arms by civilians. Laws of some countries may afford civilians a right to keep and bear arms, and have more liberal gun laws than neighboring jurisdictions. Gun control typically restricts access to certain categories of firearms and limits the categories of persons who may be granted permission to access firearms. There may be separate licenses for hunting, sport shooting, self-defense, collecting, and concealed carry, each with different sets of requirements, privileges, and responsibilities.
In the United Kingdom, gun ownership is considered a privilege, not a right, and access by the general public to firearms is subject to strict control measures. Members of the public may own certain firearms for the purposes of sport shooting, recreation, hunting or occupational purposes. Possession is subject to licensing.
Firearms regulation in Finland incorporates the political and regulatory aspects of firearms usage in the country. Both hunting and shooting sports are common hobbies. There are approximately 300,000 people with hunting permits, and 34,000 people belong to sport shooting clubs. Over 1,500 people are licensed weapons collectors. Additionally, many reservists practice their skills using their own semi-automatic rifles and pistols after military service.
Gun laws in Pakistan allow for the ownership of firearms in the country by the general population. Pakistan is one of the biggest open firearms markets in the world, and is in the modern era also known for its indigenous gunsmith tradition. The country is famous for producing clones of almost every notable weapon of the world. Although firearms are widely owned, heavy weaponry is permitted only in tribal areas within the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This includes the circulation of rocket-propelled grenades, short, medium, and long-range rockets, anti-aircraft guns, mortars and other types of firearms.
Firearms regulation in Switzerland allows the acquisition of semi-automatic, and – with a may-issue permit – fully automatic firearms, by Swiss citizens and foreigners with or without permanent residence. The laws pertaining to the acquisition of firearms in Switzerland are amongst the most liberal in the world, as well as being the most permissive in Europe. Swiss gun laws are primarily about the acquisition of arms, and not ownership. As such a license is not required to own a gun by itself, but a shall-issue permit is required to purchase most types of firearms. Bolt-action rifles, break-actions and hunting rifles do not require an acquisition permit, and can be acquired with just a background check. An explicit reason must be submitted to be issued an acquisition permit for handguns or semi-automatics unless the reason is sport-shooting, hunting or collecting. Permits for concealed carrying in public are issued sparingly. The acquisition of fully automatic weapons, suppressors and target lasers requires special permits issued by the cantonal firearms office. Police use of hollow point ammunition is limited to special situations.
Firearms regulation in Mexico is governed by legislation which sets the legality by which members of the armed forces, law enforcement and private citizens may acquire, own, possess and carry firearms; covering rights and limitations to individuals—including hunting and shooting sport participants, property and personal protection personnel such as bodyguards, security officers, private security, and extending to VIPs.
In Germany, access to guns is controlled by the German Weapons Act, which adheres to the European Firearms Directive and was first enacted in 1972, and superseded by the law of 2003. This federal statute regulates the handling of firearms and ammunition as well as acquisition, storage, commerce and maintenance of firearms.
This is a list of laws concerning air guns by country.
Criminal possession of a weapon is the unlawful possession of a weapon by an individual. It may also be an additional crime if a violent offense was committed with a deadly weapon or firearm.
Gun control in Italy incorporates the political and regulatory aspects of firearms usage in the country within the framework of the European Union's Firearms Directive. Different types of gun licenses can be obtained from the national police authorities. According to a 2007 study by The Small Arms Survey Project, the per capita gun ownership rate in Italy is around 12%, with an estimated 7 million registered firearms in circulation.
Gun laws in New York regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the U.S. state of New York, outside of New York City which has separate licensing regulations. New York's gun laws are among the most restrictive in the United States.
In Honduras, the commerce, ownership, possession and use of firearms is regulated. Escalation in crime and the use of firearms in the commission of crimes and homicides has brought political and public discourse to consider regulation of arms.
Gun laws in Illinois regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Illinois in the United States.
Gun laws in Pennsylvania regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States.
Ukrainian law allows firearm ownership on may-issue basis. With approximately 10 civilian firearms per 100 people, Ukraine is the 88th most armed country in the world per capita, and 22nd overall.
Gun law in the Philippines is regulated by the Firearms and Explosives Office of the Philippine National Police. In order to possess a firearm in the Philippines, a person must be at a minimum age of 21 years and pass a background check to be issued a License To Own And Possess Firearms (LTOPF). They must also take a firearms training and safety course. Any history of mental illnesses or domestic violence within the individual or the family will cause an applicant to have their request rejected.
Lithuanian law allows firearm possession on a shall-issue basis. With approximately 13.6 civilian firearms per 100 people, Lithuania is 58th most armed country in the world.
Gun laws in North Macedonia allow firearm ownership on shall-issue basis for hunters and collectors and may-issue for self-defense purposes. With approximately 30 civilian firearms per 100 people, North Macedonia is the 15th most armed country in the world.
Uruguayan law allows firearm possession on shall-issue basis. With approximately 35 civilian firearms per 100 people, Uruguay is the eighth most armed country in the world and most armed in Latin America.
Austrian law allows firearm possession on shall-issue basis with certain classes of shotguns and rifles available without permit. With approximately 30 civilian firearms per 100 people, Austria is the 14th most armed country in the world.