2007-05-21 06:51:19 · 7 answers · asked by JudasHero 5 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
Yes-it's possible to own sporting arms in Japan. Boar is the most popular game and there are skeet ranges. There are a limited number of high power rifle licenses available-you have to wait until someone gives up their license to obtain one. With shotguns and .22 rifles the procedures are simpler. A few people in Japan have a .22 target pistol license-again, you get on a waiting list to get the license when someone gives theirs up. Those pistols must stay at the range in a gun locker. Other arms must have the firing pin removed outside of hunting season. Ammunition is strictly regulated also. If you own a gun the firearms officer will come to home once a year and you must account for every round fired and show him how you store your guns. To rural Japanese who have always hunted or shot pests (or keen skeet shooters) it's all not so onerous-it's part of their lifestyle. The local firearms officer could well be a member of their hunting or skeet club. To young urban Japanese though, it's probably intimidating to go through the procedures to get a gun license. If anything, their are too many boar these days. The wildlife management authorities wish more people would get out there and shoot them, so hunting clubs make it a point to introduce people to the sport.
2007-05-22 05:22:23 · answer #1 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To answer your question, No firearms are not legal in Japan but there is a small group in Japan that are authorized the use of these folowing kind of guns to be owned by civilian are as follows.
Air Rifle
Hand Rifle
Rifle
Air Pistol (limited to 500 people for sports shooting only)
Pistol (limited to 50 people for sport shooting only)
Shotgun
The purpose to own guns is limited to two, i.e., hunting or sports shooting.
It means we cannot own guns for defense purpose.
The procedure to own a firearms is very strict and the process very long
.
2007-05-21 07:11:58 · answer #2 · answered by C-Ray 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
They are not illegal, it is just almost impossible to get the permit necessary to own one. Only the elite can pass the necessary requirements. Of course the criminals own guns, the mayor of Nagasaki was murdered by a gang leader last month, and there is a rise in criminal use of firearms.
2007-05-21 08:18:54 · answer #3 · answered by lestermount 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
About the only people who have guns are the police, military, and criminals. Some are allowed for hunting or sports events. But it's rare to have a gub in one's home. BTW, the whole country of Japan has a lower crime rate than New York City.
2007-05-21 08:32:59 · answer #4 · answered by Vinegar Taster 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Handguns are strictly banned. Only police and some others with job-related reasons can own them. Hunting rifles are strictly regulated.
2007-05-21 12:40:38 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they aren't
2007-05-21 08:13:14 · answer #6 · answered by Auther 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No
2007-05-21 07:00:07 · answer #7 · answered by mini_bod 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋