Spain

Lots of my American friends are surprised that citizens in other countries can own guns as well.  The process for becoming a gun owner in most other countries is much more onerous than in the United States.

In European Gun Culture: What I’ve Learned & Unlearned, An American gun owner moves to a small Spanish island and is going through the process of becoming a gun owner in the EU.  This incredibly detailed narrative explains all the steps he is taking.  It’s quite a process.

“Needless to say, when it comes to guns, there are big differences between the US and Europe.

Navigating these differences has been a winding mountain road, but through this journey, I’ve learned that Americans have several misconceptions about European gun laws and culture, and vice versa.

But we’re all gun lovers here, so let’s learn from my mistakes and break down some barriers!

Today, we’re going to build a small intercultural bridge by examining Europe’s gun laws and the European Firearms Directive, the twisty process for getting a Spanish firearms license (help), and the common stereotypes that perpetuate cultural misunderstandings.”

This is a worthwhile read if you are interested in other countries’ gun laws.