Curious about where civilian gun ownership is off the charts? Discover the countries with the most heavily armed civilians and see how their firearm ownership stacks up.
With an estimated 817 million firearms in civilian hands globally, this statistic doesn’t even include law enforcement or illegal weapons. Some nations have especially high rates of gun ownership among their citizens, sparking debates about firearm regulations and public safety.
We’ve focused on countries where civilian firearm ownership is particularly high, offering insights into how these levels impact both society and policy. Understanding these numbers can shed light on broader discussions about gun control and public safety worldwide.
Though it may not surprise experts on firearm policy, the United States has the highest rate of civilian gun ownership. There are 120.5 guns for every 100 people. With a population of over 326 million, this means civilians own more than 393 million firearms in the U.S. In other words, there are more civilian-owned guns in the United States than there are people.
2. Falkland Islands
Coming in second, the Falkland Islands has a rate of 62.10 guns for every 100 individuals, around half that of the United States. The Falkland Islands Government reports a population of more than 3,200. In contrast to the total population, the total number of civilian firearms is about 2,000.
3. Yemen
With almost 15 million civilian-owned firearms, Yemen comes in third. This number is alarming since the number of military firearms pales in comparison, coming down to just 28,500. Yemen has a gun ownership rate of 52.80 per 100 people.
4. New Caledonia
This French overseas territory, situated in the heart of the Pacific, has a high gun ownership rate of a whopping 42.5 for every 100 people. The total number of civilian firearms is about 115,000, while the total population is about 271,000.
5. Serbia
For every 100 people in Serbia, there are 39.10 civilian-owned firearms. This landlocked country in Southeast Europe has 2.7 million firearms owned by civilians. Once again, the difference is vast compared to 384,422 military firearms and 53,100 law enforcement firearms.
6. Montenegro
With a gun ownership rate of 39.10 per 100 people, the total number of civilian firearms in Montenegro comes out to about 245,000. In contrast, the total number of military firearms is only 5,396, while law enforcement firearms stand at around 8,000.
7. Canada
According to Public Safety Canada, gun laws in the country have seen a shift after Bill C-21 as penalties for smuggling and trafficking firearms have surged, and a national handgun freeze has been codified. However, as of 2017, Canada had a gun ownership rate of 34.70 for every 100 people, translating to 12.7 million civilian-owned firearms.
8. Uruguay
With a gun ownership rate of 34.70 for every 100 people, Uruguay is placed 8th on the list. This rate translates to about 1.2 million civilian-owned firearms in contrast to 62,130 military firearms and 30,000 law-enforcement firearms.
9. Cyprus
Tying with Uruguay, Cyprus also boasts a gun ownership rate of 34.70. This translated to a total of 285,000 civilian-owned firearms. On the contrary, the number of military firearms is about 99,000, while law-enforcement guns come out to 11,000.
10. Finland
With 32.40 guns owned per 100 people, Finland has the 10th highest gun ownership in the world. Around 1.8 million firearms are owned by civilians, while military guns come out to 475,030, and law-enforcement firearms are estimated to be 14,000.
Source: World Population Review.
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Choosing the “best” hunting rifle is a pretty personal thing. We all have different opinions and preferences on what we like to hunt with. But still, over the last 50 years, there have been some remarkable weapons. Over the past half-century, the evolution of hunting rifles has seen so many innovations, catering to a wide range of needs from the casual deer hunter to the adventurous big-game enthusiast. What’s your favorite hunting rifle? Which weapons deserve a spot on this list?
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With almost 16 million hunters in the United States, and with such a huge range of game to hunt, the right rifle and the best cartridge is critical. We have some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, with animals ranging from tiny squirrels to gigantic moose. The cornerstone of a successful hunt lies in the hunter’s skill and knowledge but also in the choice of ammunition. The right cartridge can make all the difference, offering the power needed for a clean, humane kill without compromising the quality of the game.
- Read More: 14 Most Versatile Hunting Cartridges
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This list extends beyond the basic survival trio of water, food, and weapons. It’s a given that we need to stock up on water, food, and a way to defend ourselves and what we have. But what other things will you need in a survival situation? None of us truly knows what TEOTWAWKI will really look like, although most of us have theories we think most likely. But whatever the situation is, there are certain supplies that it just makes sense to have on hand, aside from the obvious trio I mentioned above.
