Gun laws vary significantly worldwide, and in some countries, drastic changes were made to address gun violence or high crime rates. These reforms often followed mass shootings or rising gun-related deaths. By looking at both the changes made and the measurable outcomes, we can better understand the effects of gun legislation.
In this post we look at 16 countries that made significant changes to their gun laws, detailing what those changes entailed and how they impacted crime and violence rates.
1. Australia
The Change: In 1996, the Port Arthur massacre killed 35 people, leading to sweeping reforms under the National Firearms Agreement (NFA). This agreement banned semi-automatic and pump-action firearms, required strict licensing, and introduced a mandatory 28-day waiting period for gun purchases. It also included a gun buyback program, which collected and destroyed nearly 650,000 firearms.
The Outcome: The impact was significant. Over the next decade, firearm homicides dropped by 59%, and firearm suicides fell by 65%. Perhaps most notably, Australia did not experience a mass shooting from 1996 to 2016. Studies also indicate no evidence of increased non-firearm-related violence, disproving fears that criminals would simply switch to other weapons.
2. United Kingdom
The Change: After the 1996 Dunblane school shooting, where 16 children and a teacher were killed, the UK passed the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997. This law banned private ownership of handguns and led to the confiscation of over 160,000 firearms.
The Outcome: Gun-related deaths in the UK are among the lowest in the world, averaging just 0.2 per 100,000 people annually. While violent crime rates initially rose due to better reporting, firearm-related offenses steadily declined over time. The UK’s strict laws now serve as a global benchmark for gun control.
3. New Zealand
The Change: Following the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks that killed 51 people, New Zealand swiftly banned military-style semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines. The government introduced a buyback program, collecting over 56,000 firearms.
The Outcome: While long-term data is still being collected, the law significantly reduced the number of high-powered firearms in circulation. There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of incidents involving such weapons, though critics argue illegal firearms remain an issue. Public support for the reforms was strong, with polls showing over 60% approval.
4. Norway
The Change: After the 2011 Utøya island massacre, where 77 people were killed, Norway implemented a ban on semi-automatic firearms in 2021. The goal was to prevent mass shootings by restricting access to these high-capacity weapons.
The Outcome: Norway already had low gun violence rates, with firearm homicides at 0.2 per 100,000 people. However, this legislation aimed to prevent future large-scale attacks. The law further restricted gun ownership, contributing to enhanced public safety and maintaining the country’s reputation as one of the safest nations.
5. Canada
The Change: In 2020, after the Nova Scotia shooting that claimed 22 lives, Canada banned over 1,500 models of assault-style firearms and introduced a voluntary buyback program. The government also enhanced background checks and proposed laws to limit magazine capacities.
The Outcome: While Canada already had relatively low firearm-related death rates (0.5 per 100,000 people), the new measures aim to curb mass shootings. Initial reports indicate reduced sales of prohibited weapons, but illegal firearms trafficking remains a challenge. Public support for stricter laws has remained strong, with ongoing debates about implementing mandatory buybacks.
6. Japan
The Change: Japan’s strict gun control laws have been in place for decades, allowing only shotguns and air rifles for civilian use. Prospective owners must pass rigorous background checks, training, and written exams. Firearms must be registered and inspected annually.
The Outcome: Japan consistently reports one of the lowest gun homicide rates globally, often fewer than 10 deaths annually in a population exceeding 125 million. The country’s meticulous approach demonstrates how rigorous regulations can result in near-zero gun violence. Cultural factors, including strong societal disapproval of firearms, also play a critical role.
7. Germany
The Change: After school shootings in 2002 and 2009, Germany raised the minimum age for firearm ownership to 21 and required psychological evaluations for applicants under 25. Licensing requirements and safe storage rules were also tightened.
The Outcome: Firearm-related deaths decreased steadily, with gun homicides dropping from 1.2 per 100,000 people in 2002 to 0.9 by 2010. The combination of age restrictions and psychological screening reduced access to firearms among high-risk individuals, contributing to Germany’s low gun violence rates compared to global averages.
8. Brazil
The Change: Brazil enacted the Disarmament Statute in 2003 to address its alarmingly high gun violence rates. The law imposed strict licensing requirements, including background checks, psychological evaluations, and proof of a legitimate reason for owning a firearm. It also banned carrying guns in public except for law enforcement or those with specific permits. A key part of the law was a gun buyback program that successfully collected over 500,000 firearms from civilians.
The Outcome: The Disarmament Statute initially showed promising results. In 2004, the year after the law’s implementation, gun-related deaths declined by 8%—the first reduction in over a decade. However, the law’s impact has been uneven due to weak enforcement in areas controlled by gangs and the ongoing influx of illegal firearms. Despite the challenges, studies suggest the law prevented around 160,000 deaths over its first 15 years.
Brazil still struggles with one of the highest firearm-related death rates in the world, at 22 per 100,000 people, underscoring the need for continued efforts to curb gun violence.
9. South Africa
The Change: South Africa introduced the Firearms Control Act in 2000 to combat high levels of gun violence. The law required potential gun owners to pass competency tests, provide evidence of safe storage, and renew their licenses regularly. It also restricted the number of firearms and ammunition a person could own and tightened background checks.
The Outcome: With broader policing efforts and the Firearms Control Act, a 13.6% drop in firearm-related homicides was seen between 2001 and 2005. The decline coincided with increased efforts to confiscate illegal weapons and stricter oversight of licensed gun owners.
Despite this progress, the proliferation of unregistered firearms remains a significant challenge. Gang violence and weak law enforcement in some areas undermine the law’s effectiveness. However, the act is credited with saving thousands of lives by reducing the overall availability of firearms.
10. Sweden
The Change: In recent years, Sweden has faced a surge in gun violence linked to organized crime and gang activity. To address this, the government implemented stricter background checks, enhanced penalties for illegal firearm possession, and increased police surveillance in high-risk areas. Special efforts were made to crack down on the smuggling of illegal weapons.
The Outcome: Gun-related deaths, particularly those involving young men in urban areas, dropped by 35% between 2022 and 2024. Shootings also decreased by a third over the same period, marking the first major decline in over a decade.
While the reforms appear to be working, Sweden continues to focus on addressing the root causes of gang violence, including social inequality and lack of economic opportunity.
11. Finland
The Change: Finland reevaluated its gun laws after two devastating school shootings in 2007 and 2008, where a total of 18 people were killed. The government raised the minimum age for handgun ownership to 21 and introduced psychological evaluations as part of the licensing process. Applicants were also required to demonstrate a specific need for owning a firearm, such as hunting or sports shooting.
The Outcome: These changes led to a steady decline in gun-related deaths, with firearm homicides dropping from 0.86 per 100,000 people in 2008 to 0.48 by 2015. The psychological evaluations helped identify high-risk individuals, reducing the likelihood of firearms falling into the wrong hands.
Finland’s reforms are often cited as an example of how targeted measures can effectively balance the needs of responsible gun owners with public safety concerns.
12. Israel
The Change: In 2006, Israel introduced a policy preventing soldiers from taking their firearms home during weekends. This measure aimed to address a high rate of firearm suicides among military personnel. While the policy did not affect civilian gun ownership, it was a significant change in how the country managed firearms within its armed forces.
The Outcome: The impact was immediate and dramatic, with suicide rates among soldiers dropping by 40% in the years following the policy change. This success highlighted the role of controlled access in preventing impulsive acts, particularly among young adults. The policy has since been praised as a simple but effective intervention that saved lives without compromising national security.
13. Switzerland
The Change: Switzerland, known for its high rates of civilian gun ownership due to its militia-based defense system, implemented key reforms in 2003. The government required military personnel to store their ammunition in central arsenals rather than at home. The goal was to reduce accidental and impulsive firearm misuse, particularly suicides.
The Outcome: Studies showed a notable decline in firearm suicides following the reform, particularly among young men. Switzerland’s overall gun-related death rate remains low, at around 2.66 per 100,000 people, with suicides accounting for the majority. The reform demonstrated how small but significant changes in access can impact public health outcomes without restricting responsible gun ownership.
14. Colombia
The Change: Colombia introduced temporary firearm bans in public spaces during high-risk periods, such as holidays, election days, and major festivals. These measures targeted urban centers like Bogotá and Cali, where violence tended to spike during such times.
The Outcome: Studies found that homicide rates decreased by up to 14% during these temporary bans. By reducing the visibility and accessibility of firearms in public, the measures effectively curbed impulsive acts of violence and gang-related shootings. While the bans were temporary, they demonstrated the potential of restricting public gun carrying to reduce violence in high-risk environments.
15. Turkey
The Change: Turkey has introduced increasingly strict gun control measures, including mandatory background checks, psychological evaluations, and stricter licensing requirements. Despite these laws, the country struggles with illegal firearm circulation, particularly in rural and border areas.
The Outcome: Gun-related incidents increased by 69% between 2012 and 2018, primarily driven by unregistered weapons. While the stricter regulations have made it harder to legally obtain firearms, enforcement challenges have limited their effectiveness. Turkey’s experience highlights the difficulty of addressing gun violence in countries with widespread illegal arms markets.
16. Mexico
The Change: Mexico’s gun laws are among the strictest in the world, allowing firearm ownership only under highly regulated conditions. Civilians must go through an extensive process to purchase guns, and there is only one legal gun store in the entire country, operated by the military.
The Outcome: Despite these strict laws, Mexico suffers from one of the highest firearm-related death rates globally, with nearly 25,000 gun-related homicides annually. The primary issue is the influx of illegal firearms from the United States. In 2019, over 70% of guns recovered from crime scenes that were submitted for tracing were traced back to U.S. sources.
Mexico’s strict legal framework struggles to offset the impact of rampant smuggling, underscoring the need for cross-border cooperation to address gun violence effectively.