Gun Laws Around the World

See how other countries keep guns in check.

Gun Laws Around the World  - In light of President Obama’s recent $500 million plan to reduce gun violence by tightening restrictions on background checks and placing bans on certain types of assault weapons, BET.com takes a look at how other countries regulate firearms. — Naeesa Aziz     (Photo: REUTERS/Hans Deryk)

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Gun Laws Around the World - In light of President Obama’s recent $500 million plan to reduce gun violence by tightening restrictions on background checks and placing bans on certain types of assault weapons, BET.com takes a look at how other countries regulate firearms. — Naeesa Aziz    (Photo: REUTERS/Hans Deryk)

Canada - We may have a lot in common with our Northern neighbors, but the right to bear arms isn’t one of them. In Canada, there is no legal right to possess firearms.Citizens must fill out an application and receive a license to own a gun. A background check is part of the application process and focuses on the applicant’s criminal, mental, addiction and domestic violence history. Proof of safety training is also required and owners must re-apply every five years.   (Photo: Simon Hayter/Getty Images)

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Canada - We may have a lot in common with our Northern neighbors, but the right to bear arms isn’t one of them. In Canada, there is no legal right to possess firearms.Citizens must fill out an application and receive a license to own a gun. A background check is part of the application process and focuses on the applicant’s criminal, mental, addiction and domestic violence history. Proof of safety training is also required and owners must re-apply every five years. (Photo: Simon Hayter/Getty Images)

United Kingdom - U.K. citizens also do not have a legal right to possess arms. Gun owners are required to apply for a license and must prove the reason for possessing the gun. The minimum age for gun ownership is 14 years old, and the minimum age to purchase is 17 years old.   (Photo: Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

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United Kingdom - U.K. citizens also do not have a legal right to possess arms. Gun owners are required to apply for a license and must prove the reason for possessing the gun. The minimum age for gun ownership is 14 years old, and the minimum age to purchase is 17 years old.  (Photo: Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Japan - In Japan, there is no guaranteed right to possess firearms. Japanese citizens are not allowed to possess handguns, automatic assault weapons, semi-automatic assault weapons, military rifles or machine guns. Licenses are required for ownership and background checks include criminal and mental history.    (Photo: Kyodo /Landov)

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Japan - In Japan, there is no guaranteed right to possess firearms. Japanese citizens are not allowed to possess handguns, automatic assault weapons, semi-automatic assault weapons, military rifles or machine guns. Licenses are required for ownership and background checks include criminal and mental history.   (Photo: Kyodo /Landov)

Brazil - In Brazil, there is no legal right to bear arms. Citizens are not allowed to possess automatic firearms and imitation firearms, and certain other types of firearms are only allowed by specific license. All owners must possess a license and background checks consider criminal, mental and employment records.  (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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Brazil - In Brazil, there is no legal right to bear arms. Citizens are not allowed to possess automatic firearms and imitation firearms, and certain other types of firearms are only allowed by specific license. All owners must possess a license and background checks consider criminal, mental and employment records.  (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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Mexico - Mexicans have a constitutional right to bear arms, but there is only one legally authorized retail outlet for firearms in the country, and only small pistols, revolvers and some rifles are allowed. The country also imposes ammunition limits and licensing requires a background check, focusing on the criminal, mental, physical and addiction history of the applicant.(Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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Mexico - Mexicans have a constitutional right to bear arms, but there is only one legally authorized retail outlet for firearms in the country, and only small pistols, revolvers and some rifles are allowed. The country also imposes ammunition limits and licensing requires a background check, focusing on the criminal, mental, physical and addiction history of the applicant.(Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Italy  - There is no explicit right to bear arms in Italy, but Italians over the age of 18 may possess “common” firearms with a license. Citizens are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects and certain types of ammunition.  (Photo: EPA/MASSIMO PERCOSSI /LANDOV)

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Italy - There is no explicit right to bear arms in Italy, but Italians over the age of 18 may possess “common” firearms with a license. Citizens are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects and certain types of ammunition. (Photo: EPA/MASSIMO PERCOSSI /LANDOV)

South Africa - There’s no legal right to bear arms in South Africa and the legal age for possession is 21 years old.Applications for a firearm license include background checks that consider criminal, mental, medical, domestic violence, addiction, employment and previous firearm license history. Third-party character references are also required. (Photo: AP Photo)

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South Africa - There’s no legal right to bear arms in South Africa and the legal age for possession is 21 years old.Applications for a firearm license include background checks that consider criminal, mental, medical, domestic violence, addiction, employment and previous firearm license history. Third-party character references are also required. (Photo: AP Photo)

China - In China, private citizens are completely prohibited from owning guns except for hunting or protection from wild animals. (Photo: Yao Jianfeng/ XINHUA /LANDOV)

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China - In China, private citizens are completely prohibited from owning guns except for hunting or protection from wild animals. (Photo: Yao Jianfeng/ XINHUA /LANDOV)

Germany - Germans over the age of 18 may own a firearm, but licensing requires the owner to take a test of “trustworthiness, knowledge and accuracy” and prove necessity. Applicants for gun licenses must pass background checks considering criminal and mental records.  (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

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Germany - Germans over the age of 18 may own a firearm, but licensing requires the owner to take a test of “trustworthiness, knowledge and accuracy” and prove necessity. Applicants for gun licenses must pass background checks considering criminal and mental records. (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)