Countries Where Guns Are Illegal

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Interactive MapIntroductionList of Countries Where Guns Are IllegalCountries That Ban GunsCountries Where Guns Are IllegalAfghanistanÅland IslandsAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAshmore and Cartier IslandsAustraliaAustralian Indian Ocean TerritoriesAustriaAzerbaijanBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileColombiaComorosCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of the CongoDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFaroe IslandsFederated States of MicronesiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyIvory CoastJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeople's Republic of ChinaPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRepublic of MacedoniaRepublic of the CongoRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSaint-BarthélemySan MarinoSão Tomé and PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSiachen GlacierSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSomalilandSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandThe BahamasThe GambiaTogoTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkish Republic of Northern CyprusTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States of AmericaUnited States Virgin IslandsUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweFAQsWhat countries ban guns ?

Introduction

In a select group of fourteen countries around the world, handguns are strictly prohibited. These nations are Brunei, Cambodia, Comoros, East Timor, Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Nauru, North Korea, Palau, Solomon Islands, Somalia, and Vatican City. Although diverse in terms of geography, history, and culture, these countries share some common patterns when it comes to firearm regulations.

Firstly, many of these countries that don’t allow guns are characterized by political stability concerns or ongoing conflicts. Nations like Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Somalia, and North Korea have experienced internal strife, civil unrest, or political instability, leading to stringent gun control measures to maintain order and public safety.

Additionally, several of the countries where guns are illegal are island nations or small territories with limited populations. Places such as Brunei, Comoros, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, and Vatican City have unique security challenges due to their relatively small size and vulnerability to external threats. Implementing strict gun control measures helps these countries maintain social harmony and ensure the safety of their citizens.

Furthermore, ideological factors also play a role in handgun prohibition. North Korea, for instance, has a tightly controlled regime where the possession of firearms by civilians is heavily regulated. Similarly, Vatican City, as the spiritual and administrative headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, has stringent gun control policies to ensure the safety of religious leaders and visitors.

It is important to note that the reasons for handgun prohibition in these countries are multifaceted, often influenced by historical, cultural, political, and security factors unique to each nation. However, the common thread among them is the prioritization of public safety and the prevention of potential risks associated with firearms over individual liberties around gun ownership.

List of Countries Where Guns Are Illegal

CountryGun ProhibitionGun Death Rate
BruneiYes0.07 per 100k
CambodiaYes0.95 per 100k
ComorosYes3.16 per 100k
East TimorYes0.89 per 100k
EritreaYes4.11 per 100k
Guinea-BissauYes3.43 per 100k
MaldivesYes0.15 per 100k
Marshall IslandsYes1.07 per 100k
NauruYes1.18 per 100k
North KoreaYes0.12 per 100k
PalauYes0.78 per 100k
Solomon IslandsYes1.91 per 100k
SomaliaYes5.06 per 100k
Vatican CityYes

Countries That Ban Guns

The fourteen countries that ban handguns are :

1. Brunei
2. Cambodia
3. Comoros
4. East Timor
5. Eritrea
6. Guinea-Bissau
7. Maldives
8. Marshall Islands
9. Nauru
10. North Korea
11. Palau
12. Solomon Islands
13. Somalia
14. Vatican City

Countries Where Guns Are Illegal

Brunei

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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0.07 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#183

Located in Southeast Asia, Brunei is one of the countries that strictly prohibits handguns. The nation's government has implemented stringent laws to maintain social order and safety. This small yet prosperous country values stability and ensures that firearms remain out of reach for its citizens.

Cambodia

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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0.95 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#90

In Cambodia, the possession of handguns is strictly forbidden. The country has a complex history of armed conflict, and its government has prioritized disarmament efforts to promote peace and prevent violence. Striving for stability and security, Cambodia enforces stringent regulations to ensure firearms remain out of civilian hands.

Comoros

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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3.16 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#46

The small island nation of Comoros, situated off the eastern coast of Africa, has adopted a strict stance against handguns. Recognizing the potential dangers associated with firearms, Comoros has implemented comprehensive legislation to maintain public safety and preserve social harmony.

East Timor

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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0.89 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#92

East Timor, a Southeast Asian nation, emerged from a turbulent past and has since prioritized the restriction of handguns. The country's government has taken significant steps to create a safe environment for its citizens, implementing measures to prevent the proliferation of firearms and promote peace.

Eritrea

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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4.11 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#33

Situated in the Horn of Africa, Eritrea is another country where handguns are illegal. The government of Eritrea has deemed firearm prohibition necessary to prevent violence and maintain social order. The strict regulations on firearms are part of a broader strategy to safeguard the well-being of its population.

Guinea-Bissau

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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3.43 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#42

Guinea-Bissau, located on the west coast of Africa, has adopted a comprehensive ban on handguns. The country has witnessed political instability and armed conflict, prompting the government to enact strict firearms legislation. By prohibiting handguns, Guinea-Bissau aims to curtail violence and promote national security.

Maldives

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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0.15 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#167

As a picturesque archipelago in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has taken a firm stance against handguns. This tropical paradise has implemented stringent regulations to protect its citizens and maintain peace. By outlawing handguns, the Maldivian government aims to ensure the safety and tranquility of its people.

Marshall Islands

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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1.07 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#80

The Marshall Islands, a remote island nation in the Pacific Ocean, has embraced a complete prohibition on handguns. The government recognizes the potential risks associated with firearms and has implemented strict measures to prevent their possession. This approach contributes to the nation's commitment to maintaining a peaceful and secure society.

Nauru

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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1.18 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#78

Nauru, a small island country in Micronesia, has prohibited handguns to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. By restricting firearms, Nauru aims to maintain social harmony and prevent the misuse of weapons. The government's proactive measures emphasize the importance of peace and security on the island.

North Korea

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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0.12 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#172

In North Korea, handguns are illegal for civilian possession. The government has maintained strict control over firearms as part of its overall strategy for maintaining social order. North Korea's approach to handgun prohibition aligns with its centralized governance structure, ensuring a controlled and regulated society.

Palau

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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0.78 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#100

The Pacific island nation of Palau has embraced a firm stance against handguns, enacting stringent regulations to ensure public safety. With its stunning natural landscapes and tourism industry, Palau places great importance on maintaining a peaceful environment. Prohibiting handguns plays a vital role in achieving this objective.

Solomon Islands

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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1.91 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#62

The Solomon Islands, situated in the South Pacific, has implemented comprehensive handgun prohibition. The government recognizes the potential dangers associated with firearms and aims to create a safe and peaceful society for its citizens. Stricter regulations contribute to the nation's ongoing efforts to maintain stability and prevent violence.

Somalia

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Gun Prohibition

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Yes

Gun Death Rate

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5.06 per 100k

Ranked in the World

#27

Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, has a complex history of armed conflict and instability. The country prohibits handguns to address the security challenges it faces and to foster a safer environment for its population. The government's stringent approach to firearm regulation reflects its commitment to maintaining social order and stability.

Vatican City

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Gun Prohibition

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As the smallest independent state in the world, Vatican City holds a unique position in terms of handgun prohibition. While possessing firearms is generally prohibited, exceptions exist for the Swiss Guard, the ceremonial military force responsible for protecting the Pope and Vatican City. The strict regulations emphasize the Vatican's commitment to maintaining a secure environment within its borders.

FAQs

What countries ban guns ?

The countries that ban guns are Brunei, Cambodia, Comoros, East Timor, Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Nauru, North Korea, Palau, Solomon Islands, Somalia, and Vatican City.

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