After mass shooting events, much debate centers around Americans’ relatively easy access to guns.
The U.S. is one of only three countries in the world where the right to own guns for self-defense is protected in the constitution.
As of 2015, there are more guns than people in the U.S. This rate is far higher than other developed nations, according to the Australian research site gunpolicy.org.
HOW THE U.S. COMPARES
TO THE OTHER DEVELOPED
COUNTRIES IN GUN OWNERSHIP
Guns per 100 people
0
60
100
20
80
40
United States
Germany
Austria
Iceland
New Zealand
Finland
Norway
Canada
Switzerland
Portugal
Greece
Latvia
Luxembourg
France
Australia
Mexico
Slovenia
Turkey
Denmark
Italy
Spain
Estonia
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Belgium
Hungary
Chile
Israel
Netherlands
Ireland
Britain
Poland
South Korea
Source: GunPolicy.org
HOW THE U.S. COMPARES TO THE OTHER DEVELOPED
COUNTRIES IN GUN OWNERSHIP
Guns per 100 people
0
60
100
20
80
40
United States
Germany
Austria
Iceland
New Zealand
Finland
Norway
Canada
Switzerland
Portugal
Greece
Latvia
Luxembourg
France
Australia
Mexico
Slovenia
Turkey
Denmark
Italy
Spain
Estonia
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Belgium
Hungary
Chile
Israel
Netherlands
Ireland
Britain
Poland
South Korea
Source: GunPolicy.org
HOW THE U.S. COMPARES TO THE OTHER DEVELOPED
COUNTRIES IN GUN OWNERSHIP
Guns per 100 people
0
60
100
20
80
40
United States
Germany
Austria
Iceland
New Zealand
Finland
Norway
Canada
Switzerland
Portugal
Greece
Latvia
Luxembourg
France
Australia
Mexico
Slovenia
Turkey
Denmark
Italy
Spain
Estonia
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Belgium
Hungary
Chile
Israel
Netherlands
Ireland
Britain
Poland
South Korea
Source: GunPolicy.org
Researcher Adam Lankford, a professor at the University of Alabama, has tracked mass shootings around the world since the 1966 shooting at the University of Texas, when an ex-Marine sharpshooter killed 17 people.
[From the UT Tower to a Las Vegas hotel: The carnage when shooters take aim from above]
Lankford’s list only includes attacks by public mass shooters, not organizational acts of terrorism or genocide such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks or 2015 Paris attacks.
Only one recent mass shooting — the 2011 attack at a Norwegian summer camp where 69 people died — was more deadly than the incident in Las Vegas.
Another 2017 incident made the list when a gunman killed 26 people at a Texas church. With 17 victims, the Valentine’s Day 2018 Florida school shooting was among the most deadly at schools.
LAS VEGAS IS THE SECOND-DEADLIEST
INCIDENT WORLDWIDE IN RECENT DECADES
People killed
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Norway attacks, in 2011
Las Vegas shooting, 2017
South Korea shootings, 1982
Orlando nightclub shooting, 2016
Istanbul nightclub shooting in Turkey, 2017
Tunisia attack, 2015
Port Arthur massacre in Australia, 1996
Mikenskaya shooting in Russia, 1999
Virginia Tech shooting, 2007
Bogotá shooting in Colombia, 1986
Cave of the Patriarchs massacre, West Bank, 1994
Sandy Hook shooting, 2012
Texas church shooting, 2017
Kampala wedding massacre in Uganda, 1994
Tian Mingjian incident in China, 1994
Luby's shooting, 1991
Jarafa mosque massacre in Sudan, 2000
San Ysidro McDonald's massacre, 1984
Source: Adam Lankford, University of Alabama
LAS VEGAS IS THE SECOND-DEADLIEST INCIDENT
WORLDWIDE IN RECENT DECADES
People killed
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Norway attacks, in 2011
Las Vegas shooting, 2017
South Korea shootings, 1982
Orlando nightclub shooting, 2016
Istanbul nightclub shooting in Turkey, 2017
Tunisia attack, 2015
Port Arthur massacre in Australia, 1996
Mikenskaya shooting in Russia, 1999
Virginia Tech shooting, 2007
Bogotá shooting in Colombia, 1986
Cave of the Patriarchs massacre, West Bank, 1994
Sandy Hook shooting, 2012
Texas church shooting, 2017
Kampala wedding massacre in Uganda, 1994
Tian Mingjian incident in China, 1994
Luby's shooting, 1991
Jarafa mosque massacre in Sudan, 2000
San Ysidro McDonald's massacre, 1984
Source: Adam Lankford, University of Alabama
LAS VEGAS IS THE SECOND-DEADLIEST INCIDENT
WORLDWIDE IN RECENT DECADES
People killed
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Norway attacks, in 2011
Las Vegas shooting, 2017
South Korea shootings, 1982
Orlando nightclub shooting, 2016
Istanbul nightclub shooting in Turkey, 2017
Tunisia attack, 2015
Port Arthur massacre in Australia, 1996
Mikenskaya shooting in Russia, 1999
Virginia Tech shooting, 2007
Bogotá shooting in Colombia, 1986
Cave of the Patriarchs massacre, West Bank, 1994
Sandy Hook shooting, 2012
Texas church shooting, 2017
Kampala wedding massacre in Uganda, 1994
Tian Mingjian incident in China, 1994
Luby's shooting, 1991
Jarafa mosque massacre in Sudan, 2000
San Ysidro McDonald's massacre, 1984
Source: Adam Lankford, University of Alabama
Jaclyn Schildkraut, another researcher who tracks mass shooting news coverage at the State University of New York at Oswego, said it’s hard to compare these events because every country measures them differently. A mass shooting in the U.S. might be reported as a terrorist attack somewhere else, for instance.
New laws introduced after mass shootings in other countries addressed two main factors: gun types and mental health. Comparing U.S. policy with similar rules in Germany, Australia and Britain illustrates the different approaches.
[The Las Vegas shooter modified a rifle to shoot like an automatic weapon]
MASS SHOOTINGS
THAT LED TO GUN REFORM
BRITAIN
’80
Hungerford shooting, 1987
Firearms Act, 1988
In 1987, a man shot and killed 16 people before killing himself. He used semiautomatic rifles that he lawfully owned.
The 1988 Firearms Act banned the ownership of high-powered self-loading rifles and burst-firing weapons.
’90
Dunblane school, 1996
The Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997
In 1996, a man shot and killed 16 children, ages 4 and 5, and their teacher before killing himself. He lawfully owned the guns he used.
The law was amended in response to overwhelming public opinion that firearms should be banned from use by the civilian population.
’00
’10
’17
GERMANY
’00
Erfurt school shooting, 2002
Weapons Act, 2003
In 2002, a student killed 16 people at a school in Erfurt.
A new law following the incident restricted the use of large caliber weapons by young people and strengthened rules for the safe storage of firearms.
’10
Winnenden school, 2009
Weapons Act (amendment), 2009
’17
In 2009, an 18-year-old killed 15 people in a school shooting.
Afterwards, Germany created a federal gun registry and to increased regulation of firearm storage.
AUSTRALIA
’90
Port Arthur shooting, 1996
National Firearms Agreement, 1996
In 1996, a gunman armed with a semiautomatic rifle shot and killed 35 people at several locations in and around Port Arthur,
a popular tourist area.
’00
Following the massacre, the federal government and states agreed to make firearms regulations more uniform, including a ban on certain semiautomatic weapons. A national buyback program for prohibited weapons netted more than 700,000 firearms.
’10
MASS SHOOTINGS THAT LED TO GUN REFORM
BRITAIN
’90
’00
’10
’17
Hungerford shooting, 1987
Dunblane school, 1996
Firearms Act, 1988
The Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997
In 1987, a man shot and killed 16 people before killing himself. He used semiautomatic rifles that he lawfully owned.
The 1988 Firearms Act banned the ownership of high-powered self-loading rifles and burst-firing weapons.
In 1996, a man shot and killed 16 children, ages 4 and 5, and their teacher before killing himself. He lawfully owned the guns he used.
The law was amended in response to overwhelming public opinion that firearms should be banned from use by the civilian population.
GERMANY
’90
’00
’10
’17
Erfurt school shooting, 2002
Winnenden school, 2009
Weapons Act, 2003
Weapons Act (amendment), 2009
In 2002, a student killed 16 people at a school in Erfurt.
A new law following the incident restricted the use of large caliber weapons by young people and strengthened rules for the safe storage of firearms.
In 2009, an 18-year-old killed 15 people in a school shooting.
Afterwards, Germany created a federal gun registry and to increased regulation of firearm storage.
AUSTRALIA
’90
’00
’10
’17
Port Arthur shooting, 1996
National Firearms Agreement, 1996
In 1996, a gunman armed with a semiautomatic rifle shot and killed 35 people at several locations in and around Port Arthur,
a popular tourist area.
Following the massacre, the federal government and states agreed to make firearms regulations more uniform, including a ban on certain semiautomatic weapons. A national buyback program for prohibited weapons netted more than 700,000 firearms.
Source: Library of Congress
MASS SHOOTINGS THAT LED TO GUN REFORM
’90
’00
’10
’17
Britain
Britain has some of the tightest gun control laws in the world. Only police officers, members of the armed forces, or individuals with written permission from the Home Secretary may lawfully own a handgun.
Hungerford shooting, 1987
Dunblane school, 1996
Firearms Act, 1988
The Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997
In 1987, a man shot and killed 16 people before killing himself. He used semiautomatic rifles that he lawfully owned.
The 1988 Firearms Act banned the ownership of high-powered self-loading rifles and burst-firing weapons.
In 1996, a man shot and killed 16 children, ages 4 and 5, and their teacher before killing himself. He lawfully owned the guns he used.
The law was amended in response to overwhelming public opinion that firearms should be banned from use by the civilian population.
’90
’00
’10
’17
Germany
The German system of gun control is among the most stringent in Europe.
Erfurt school shooting, 2002
Winnenden school, 2009
Weapons Act, 2003
Weapons Act (amendment), 2009
In 2002, a student killed 16 people at a school in Erfurt, Germany.
A new law following the incident restricted the use of large caliber weapons by young people and strengthened rules for the safe storage of firearms.
In 2009, an 18-year-old killed 15 people in a school shooting.
Afterwards, Germany created a federal gun registry and to increased regulation of firearm storage.
’90
’00
’10
’17
Australia
In 1996, the federal government, states and territories agreed to a uniform approach to firearms regulation.
Port Arthur shooting, 1996
National Firearms Agreement, 1996
In 1996, a gunman armed with a semiautomatic rifle shot and killed 35 people at several locations in and around Port Arthur,
a popular tourist area.
Following the massacre, the federal government and states agreed to make firearms regulations more uniform, including a ban on certain semiautomatic weapons. A national buyback program for prohibited weapons netted more than 700,000 firearms.
Source: Library of Congress
After the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Australia, the country made its previously patchwork state-by-state regulations more uniform and banned some semiautomatic and self-loading rifles and shotguns. A 1987 attack in Britain led to an outright ban on the ownership of high-powered self-loading rifles and burst-firing weapons.
Automatic
Semiautomatic
U.S.
In the United States, private possession of semiautomatic assault weapons is permitted without a licence in almost all jurisdictions
In the United States, private possession of fully automatic weapons is permitted subject to federal licensing and registration
GERMANY
Automatic
weapons are
prohibited
Semi-automatic
weapons are permitted
only with special
authorization
AUSTRALIA
Automatic weapons are prohibited, with only narrow exceptions for permanently inoperable collector's, display, or museum guns
Semi-automatic weapons are prohibited in all but exceptional circumstances
BRITAIN
Semiautomatic weapons are not specifically prohibited in law
Automatic weapons are prohibited
Automatic
Semiautomatic
Handguns
In the United States, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted without a licence in almost all jurisdictions
In the United States, private possession of fully automatic weapons is permitted subject to federal licensing and registration
In the United States, private possession of semiautomatic assault weapons is permitted without a licence in almost all jurisdictions
U.S.
Prohibited
Permitted only
with special authorization
Permitted only
with special authorization
GERMANY
Prohibited, with only narrow exceptions for permanently inoperable collector's, display, or museum guns
Prohibited in all but exceptional circumstances
Only permitted subject to stringent conditions
AUSTRALIA
BRITAIN
Prohibited
Not specifically prohibited in law
Prohibited
Automatic
Semiautomatic
Handguns
In the United States, private possession of fully automatic weapons is permitted subject to federal licensing and registration
In the United States, private possession of semiautomatic assault weapons is permitted without a licence in almost all jurisdictions
In the United States, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted without a licence in almost all jurisdictions
UNITED
STATES
GERMANY
Prohibited
Permitted only
with special authorization
Permitted only
with special authorization
Prohibited, with only narrow exceptions for permanently inoperable collector's, display, or museum guns
Prohibited in all but exceptional circumstances
Only permitted subject to stringent conditions
AUSTRALIA
Prohibited
Not specifically prohibited in law
Prohibited
BRITAIN
The most deadly attack in Norway did not lead to stricter gun control laws, but lawmakers there added new safety provisions to the country’s Mental Health Act.
Recognized
Reasons
Criminal
History
GERMANY
Licenses issued to
hunters,
marksmen,
shootingassociation
members,
endangered
persons,
collectors, experts,
producers and
dealers, and
private security
firms.
No criminal
record,
membership in
criminal or
terrorist
organization, or
justified suspicion
of potential
violation.
AUSTRALIA
“Genuine reason”
(e.g., sports,
recreational
shooting/hunting,
collecting, or
occupational
requirements).
Ammunition only
provided to
license-holders.
Self-defense
excluded.
“Fit and proper
person” test; no
convictions for
violent offenses in
past five years.
BRITAIN
No sentence of
more than three
years’
imprisonment or
preventive
detention; those
receiving
sentences of three
months to three
years cannot
possess firearms or
ammunition for a
period of five
years after date of
release.
“Good reason” to
possess requested
firearm (e.g.
profession, sport
or recreation, or
shooting vermin).
Self-defense not a
good reason.
Minimum
Age
Recognized
Reasons
Criminal
History
Health
requirements
18 generally.
14–18 for
supervised
training or
employment.
21 for
marksmen,
subject to
exceptions.
Licenses issued to
hunters,
marksmen,
shootingassociation
members,
endangered
persons,
collectors, experts,
producers and
dealers, and
private security
firms.
No criminal
record,
membership in
criminal or
terrorist
organization, or
justified suspicion
of potential
violation.
No substance
addiction, mental
illness, or
feeblemindedness.
Psychiatric
evaluation if under
25.
GERMANY
“Genuine reason”
(e.g., sports,
recreational
shooting/hunting,
collecting, or
occupational
requirements).
Ammunition only
provided to
license-holders.
Self-defense
excluded.
“Fit and proper
person” test; no
convictions for
violent offenses in
past five years.
Mental/physical
fitness.
AUSTRALIA
18
“Good reason” to
possess requested
firearm (e.g.
profession, sport
or recreation, or
shooting vermin).
Self-defense not a
good reason.
No sentence of
more than three
years’
imprisonment or
preventive
detention; those
receiving
sentences of three
months to three
years cannot
possess firearms or
ammunition for a
period of five
years after date of
release.
References
regarding mental
state, home life,
and attitude
toward guns;
medical release
form; access to
firearms by unfit
family members or
associates may
disqualify
applicant.
18
BRITAIN
Minimum
Age
Recognized
Reasons
Criminal
History
Health
requirements
Training
18 generally.
14–18 for
supervised
training or
employment.
21 for
marksmen,
subject to
exceptions.
Licenses issued to
hunters,
marksmen,
shootingassociation
members,
endangered
persons,
collectors, experts,
producers and
dealers, and
private security
firms.
No criminal
record,
membership in
criminal or
terrorist
organization, or
justified suspicion
of potential
violation.
No substance
addiction, mental
illness, or
feeblemindedness.
Psychiatric
evaluation if under
25.
Knowledge of
weapons
technology and
law; expertise in
use of firearms.
GERMANY
“Genuine reason”
(e.g., sports,
recreational
shooting/hunting,
collecting, or
occupational
requirements).
Ammunition only
provided to
license-holders.
Self-defense
excluded.
“Fit and proper
person” test; no
convictions for
violent offenses in
past five years.
Mental/physical
fitness.
Safety course.
AUSTRALIA
18
“Good reason” to
possess requested
firearm (e.g.
profession, sport
or recreation, or
shooting vermin).
Self-defense not a
good reason.
No sentence of
more than three
years’
imprisonment or
preventive
detention; those
receiving
sentences of three
months to three
years cannot
possess firearms or
ammunition for a
period of five
years after date of
release.
References
regarding mental
state, home life,
and attitude
toward guns;
medical release
form; access to
firearms by unfit
family members or
associates may
disqualify
applicant.
18
BRITAIN
Efforts by Congress to strengthen gun policy in the U.S. have been held up by elections. In 2011, officials in President Obama’s Justice Department wrote a list of recommendations in the aftermath of a shooting which wounded then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and killed six others. The Post reported that the effort was put on hold until after the 2012 midterm election.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the university where Adam Lankford works and misspelled his name.
About this story
Gun data from gunpolicy.org. Mass shooting list from Adam Lankford, University of Alabama. Policy comparison information from Firearms-control Legislation and Policy by the Law Library of Congress.
Originally published Oct. 4, 2017.
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