As mass shootings continue to make headlines in the U.S., some countries might look on scratching their proverbial heads.
To be sure, the U.S. is not the worst proliferator of gun violence. According to the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (figures from an NPR report), per 100,000 people in the country, the following were among those that had more gun related deaths than the U.S. in 2016: El Salvador (~40), Venezuela (~35), and Guatamala (~27). The U.S., comparatively, came in at about 4 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people. Still, the wounds are fresh in the U.S., prompting hashtag movements such as #neveragain, which was prompted by the Florida mass shooting.
That said, let’s stop focusing on the negative here and commend those countries that have had fewer gun-related deaths.
The following list states the countries and the number of deaths per 100,000 people in the population, in no particular order:
5. Germany, 0.12
Interestingly, Germany has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world. It was 4th in the world per capita in 2013, falling just behind the United States. Still, it has a comparatively small incidence of gun violence next to the rest of the world (0.12 deaths / 100,000 people). That might be attributable to the strict laws in Germany. Alongside these laws, Germany has taken note of history, particularly during the first and second world wars where Germany lost a great deal in terms of world standing (not to mention the political turmoil cast by Nazis).
Germany has not seen a major mass shooting since 2009.
About guns in Germany
- Germans have no constitutional right to bear arms.
- Germans must obtain a license before bearing or possessing arms.
- There is an age restriction of 18 years.
- Germans must pass a so-called reliability check that investigates criminal history, addiction patterns, mental health, and more.
- Germans must pass a specialized knowledge test.
- Germans must pass a psychiatric evaluation if under the age of 25 and a first-time applicant.
- Germans must prove the need for the weapon for such uses as hunting, competitive marksmanship, or security work.
- Germany bans fully automatic weapons and heavilyy restricts semiautomatic weapons.
- Police enforce laws for weapon storage with routine checks on private property.
Germany has not seen a major mass shooting since 2009.
4. The United Kingdom, 0.07
Although the U.K. is a composite of many different countries, complicating its statistical reporting, it has some of the strictest gun laws in the world. Here, too, the incidence of gun violence is low (0.07 deaths / 100,000 people).
About guns in the U.K.
- Civilians must prove they have a valid use to obtain a license.
- Civilians must have an independent referee evaluate their mental health and attitude toward guns prior to issuance of a license.
- Gun licenses expire after 5 years from issuance.
- Applicants must pass extensive background checks.
- Applicants must prove that the weapon can be properly stored.
- The U.K. banned ownership of all handguns after a gunman killed 16 children in Dublane in 1996.
- It also banned the ownership of semi-automatic and pump-action rifles, weapons that fire explosive ammunition, short shotguns with magazines, and elevated pump-action and self-loading rifles.
- A large scale buyback of handguns got many weapons off the street in 2001.
The last mass shooting to occur in the U.K.
happened in 2010.
3. China, 0.06
As competitive as it is with China, it seems the U.S. loses out to China on reports of gun-related deaths (0.06 deaths / 100,000 people). Keep in mind. There are a lot of people in China. Also note that fact reporting in China is inevitably skewed. It doesn’t have a robust free and independent press, and the communistic government has the ability to filter information. Reliable sources are limited here, but overall, what we do know suggests that China’s citizens are safer from gun-related death than Americans.
About guns in China
- China has a blanket ban on gun ownership for civilians that has some exceptions.
- One exception to firearm ownership bans on an individual basis in China is for hunting.
- Applicants for firearm licenses must pass a background check.
- Sale and manufacture of guns is restricted by the state at the provincial level.
- Those found guilty of selling guns illegally face penalty of 3 years minimum prison sentence or even death.
- Miao village is one of the only villages able to produce and carry firearms.
- Guns that can be owned are severely restricted.
According to Reuters, the last known "mass" shooting in China, which involved 4 casualties, happened in 2015.
2. Iran, 0.80
That’s right. Iran has fewer gun-related deaths, at least from the IHME report (~0.80 deaths / 100,000 people) than the U.S. As synonymous with terrorist organizations, such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS, as Iran has become, this is somewhat surprising. It is worthwhile to question official figures, being that Iran has limited free press and operates as a partially democratic theocracy. Still, Iran has some interesting gun facts.
About guns in Iran
- Iranians are not guaranteed constitutional rights to bear arms.
- Civilians can possess automatic and semi-automatic weapons as well as handguns with official permissions and licenses.
- Applicants for firearms must pass a background check which include mental health evaluations.
- Iranian gun-owners must demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of firearm safety and the law.
- Storage of firearms is regulated in Iran.
- All Iranian legal guns issued have a unique identifying mark (as they do in many countries).
- Civilians granted privileges to possess firearms may open-carry.
The 2017 Tehran attacks, carried out by ISIS, involved major gun violence and resulted in a large loss of life.
1. Singapore, 0.03
If any country deserves to be on this list, it’s Singapore. Singapore’s Arms Offences Act is one of the toughest gun control laws in the world. Some of the restrictions in the law might surprise you, however. For example, open-carry is allowed. In 2016, Singapore only had 0.03 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people.
About guns in Singapore
- Attempting or committing a pre-empted offense using a firearm is punishable by death for all involved.
- Possession of most firearms is not strictly prohibited by law, but Singapore has one of the lowest stockpiles of guns (licit and illicit) in the world.
- Possessing, importing, exporting, manufacturing, repairing, or selling firearms requires a license.
- Issuing authorities can cancel firearms license at any time for no reason.
- Carrying a firearm both openly and concealed is allowed with a valid license.
- You can get beat with a cane and spend 10 years in prison if found in possession of a firearm illegally.
A cursory Google search turns up no mass shootings in Singapore. A notable shooting of a nightclub owner, however, took place in 2006.
