10 Countries With Assault Weapons Bans (And Their Gun Homicide Counts)

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The United States, 9,348 Gun Homicides Per Year

The United States, 9,470 Gun Homicides Per Year

Behold! The AR-15. Inspiring the military M-16, the AR-15 is a semi-automatic assault rifle well known to American shooters looking to pack firepower beyond the basic deer gun.

Assault weapons are guns designed for rapid fire at human targets from a close range. They're completely legal in the United States, but it wasn't always that way.

In 1994 the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act was passed. One of the provisions was the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. It outlawed semi automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns that use a detachable magazine and that have any two of the following attributes: a folding or telescopic stock, a pistol grip, a bayonet mount, a threaded barrel or flash suppressor, and a grenade launcher.

The ban lapsed in 2004 as part of its sunset provision. Since then, no replacement bill has made it out of Congressional committee.

According to Gun Policy News, in the United States over the past decade there has been an average of 9,470 gun homicides per year.

Every country has its own laws and restrictions regarding guns.

Click through for 10 nations that have the closest thing to a complete assault weapons ban, and see the most harmful gun legally available for sale there.

Photo: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Australia, 286 gun homicides per year

In Australia, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic and semi-automatic firearms, self-loading and pump-action shotguns, handguns with ammunition larger than .38 caliber and handguns with a length under four inches. Australians do have a legal right to use a gun for self defense, but self defense is not sufficient grounds to be granted a license. Most gun use is expected for hunting. Hunters can obtain a license at age 10, with the permission of an older licensed user (presumably a parent). The over under Remington 308 pictured above is legal.

Photo: Travis Simon/Creative Commons via Flickr

Costa Rica, 371 gun homicides per year

In Costa Rica, it is illegal to own automatic firearms, machine guns, sub-machine guns and semi-automatic rifles. Magazines may hold no more than 10 rounds. Silencers, and armor-piercing, tracer, explosive and incendiary ammunition are prohibited. Guns with rimfire precussion, not usually found on firearms with ammunition larger than .22 caliber, are legal. With a license, Costa Ricans can own no more than three handguns, but there is no limit to the number of hunting rifles you can own. The .22 Caliber Ruger rifle above is legal.

Photo: Glen Cooper/Creative Commons via Flickr

Serbia, 66 gun homicides per year

In Serbia, long automatic firearms, semi automatic and combined firearms are prohibited. Special weapons, or anything equipped with silencers, or infra-red sighting devices are also illegal. It is possible to own a semi automatic weapon with a hunting license, but the weapon is not supposed to be used away from hunting grounds. Serbia is estimated to have between 37 to 58 guns per 100 citizens. The citizenry maintains a remarkable stock of illegal weapons, possibly due to distrust of government. The law allows for trophy firearms from a time of uprising or war of liberation, leaving a giant loophole. The Serbia made CZ-99 is a legal, widely circulated gun.

Photo: ThivierrCreative Commons via Flickr

Turkey, 526 gun homicides per year

In Turkey, it is illegal to own automatic and semi-automatic assault firearms. A licensing procedure is in place for pistol or revolver ownership. Applicants must pass a background check and are required to renew the license every five years. The Turkish made Sarsilmaz Kilinc, sold in America as an Armalite AR-24, is one of the world's most-lethal legal handguns.

Photo: Schlaeger/Creative Commons via Flickr

United Kingdom, 32 gun homicides per year

In the United Kingdom it is illegal to own a firearm. Permits are possible, though extremely rare. The only exceptions are single-shot long firearms with either rifled barrels (presumably for hunting), or those with a smooth bore (potentially an old musket). Being found in illegal possession of a firearm is punishable by 5 years in prison and potentially a fine. The 12-guage shotgun pictured above is legal with a permit.

Photo: SPakharin/Creative Commons via Flickr

Colombia, 13,857 gun homicides per year

In Colombia, citizens are not allowed to own pistols and revolvers of caliber superior to 9.652mm, automatic arms, semi-automatic rifles and carbines over 22 caliber LR, arms with military-style devices (infrared and laser sights, grenade launchers and silencers) and ammunition for these arms. The right to own a handgun or very small caliber rifle with a license is guaranteed by law. The .22 Caliber Ruger rifle above is legal.

Photo: Schlaeger/Creative Commons via Flickr

Mexico, 4,797 gun homicides per year

In Mexico, it is illegal to carry a firearm that is considered to be military grade. Mexicans can own a variety of semi automatic weapons if they complete the rigorous licensing process. The military regulate gun licensing and sales from a single gun store. Applicants who obtain licenses are entitled to buy a handgun between .22-.38 caliber that has to remain in the home. Mexico's massive gun deaths over the past decade have largely been the result of illegal weapons funneled into the country from the United States.

Photo: Schlaeger/Creative Commons via Flickr

Germany, 227 gun homicides per year

In Germany, it is illegal to own any automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects (color of weapon can play a big role), and armor-piercing, incendiary and expanding ammunition. Semi automatic or assault weapons are for sport shooting only. Strict requirements force proof of membership in a shooting society and demand registration with the police. A German with the proper licensing can obtain the pictured AR-15, or many other semi automatic rifles.

Photo: Johannes Simon/Getty Images

Canada, 181 gun homicides per year

Canada bans automatic firearms, except those registered prior to 1978, handguns with barrels shorter than 105mm, and specifically modified handguns, rifles or shotguns. Anything with a collapseable stock or suppressors is banned. However, guns without characteristics that are not specifically outlawed (on this long list) are legal. Surprisingly, the Valmet Hunter, chosen weapon of the Finnish Defense Forces, is legal.

Photo: Cindy Andrie/Creative Commons via Flickr

New Zealand, 7 gun homicides per year

In New Zealand it is illegal to own handguns, military-style semi-automatic weapons or fully automatic firearms without a permit to purchase and a relevant firearm licence endorsement. To obtain a license, applicants must pass a backround check, have character references and be approved in an interview. Self defense is not a reason to apply for a gun license. That being said, with an E license, New Zealanders could own a semi automatic AK 47, provided its magazine has 7-shot limit and no flame arrestor.

Photo: Yortw/Creative Commons via Flickr

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Andrew Freeman is a California native with a degree in history from UCLA. He’s covered a wide range of topics for TakePart, but is particularly interested in politics and policy.

10 Countries With Assault Weapons Bans (And Their Gun Homicide Counts)

The United States, 9,470 Gun Homicides Per Year

Photo: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Australia, 286 gun homicides per year

Photo: Travis Simon/Creative Commons via Flickr

Costa Rica, 371 gun homicides per year

Photo: Glen Cooper/Creative Commons via Flickr

Serbia, 66 gun homicides per year

Photo: ThivierrCreative Commons via Flickr

Turkey, 526 gun homicides per year

Photo: Schlaeger/Creative Commons via Flickr

United Kingdom, 32 gun homicides per year

Photo: SPakharin/Creative Commons via Flickr

Colombia, 13,857 gun homicides per year

Photo: Schlaeger/Creative Commons via Flickr

Mexico, 4,797 gun homicides per year

Photo: Schlaeger/Creative Commons via Flickr

Germany, 227 gun homicides per year

Photo: Johannes Simon/Getty Images

Canada, 181 gun homicides per year

Photo: Cindy Andrie/Creative Commons via Flickr

New Zealand, 7 gun homicides per year

Photo: Yortw/Creative Commons via Flickr

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