Gun Laws By Country: How the Right to Bear Arms Applies Overseas

If you are a gun owner and hope to bring your firearms when you move overseas—or perhaps purchase some when you arrive—you must consider laws regarding gun ownership and importation in countries around the world. There might be a lengthy application process to purchase or import a gun, along with hefty duties and fees. In most cases, you are not allowed to bring your firearm with you as a tourist and even as a citizen or resident you must apply for a special permit to bring one in—if it’s allowed at all.

Here’s the lowdown on gun laws in popular retirement locations throughout Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Run afoul of these laws and you could face confiscation of your firearms, fines, deportation, and even jail time.

Mexico Gun Laws: Mexican citizens and foreigners with temporary or permanent residence status may have one small-caliber handgun (intended for self-defense in the home) and up to nine rifles if they are a registered member of a hunting or shooting club. Firearms must be registered with the Mexican army, which also runs the only store to purchase guns in the country. To import a gun, you must receive a permit first.

To receive a permit you must meet several requirements, including a criminal record free of gun violence, mental health evaluation, and clean drug test.

Costa Rica Gun Laws: Only citizens and permanent residents of Costa Rica are allowed to possess firearms: handguns (up to three), rifles (up to three for sporting use; hunting is illegal in Costa Rica), and semi-automatic weapons between the calibers of 5.6 to 18.5 millimeters.

To bring your guns you must apply with the Ministry of Public Security and declare it when you arrive to the customs department, who will hold it until you go through the registration process. You can purchase firearms from a licensed gun shop or private individual. Gun owners must have a clean criminal record in Costa Rica and must pass a psychological exam.

Belize Gun laws: As a permanent resident or citizen of Belize you can own a gun after a background check. The maximum caliber is 9mm, and you can have only 100 rounds at any one time. Licenses are available to farmers to have shotguns to protect livestock, as well as for hunting and personal protection. Firearms may be imported but must be declared before arrival. Imported guns will be impounded by the police and registered before a license is granted.

Ecuador Gun Laws: In Ecuador, only firearms with a caliber of 9 millimeters or less are allowed. You cannot import a firearm from overseas. To own a firearm you must be a resident and be licensed, which requires you to undergo a criminal background and mental health evaluation. You must also explain why you want a gun, which could include hunting, target shooting, collecting, or self-defense.

Panama Gun Laws: There has been a moratorium on importing guns for many years. A limited number of gun shops sell handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Only permanent residents may purchase a gun, after you go through the application process, which includes a drug test, biometric facial recognition exam, fingerprinting, having a DNA sample taken (blood), a psychological evaluation, and criminal background check. You can have up to 10 guns on one permit. Concealed carry is allowed.

Colombia Gun Laws: You must be a Colombian citizen to be eligible for a gun permit. Small caliber handguns and shotguns, which must be registered with the military, are permitted, but you must have a reason to own one, including hunting, personal protection, target shooting, or collecting.

Thailand Gun Laws: You must be a Thai citizen to own a gun in the country. Firearm licenses are granted for self-defense, protecting property, hunting, or sport shooting, and you must pass a mental health and criminal background check and be employed.

Malaysia Gun Laws: Citizens and foreign residents can own a gun in Malaysia, but they must be kept at a shooting club. You must apply with the chief of police of the state and give a good reason for possessing a firearm. There is no carry license. Importing of guns is not allowed.

Vietnam Gun Laws: Civilians are prohibited from possessing firearms.

France Gun Laws: In general only sport shooters or hunters may possess firearms, such as shotguns and rifles, with a license. Citizens and foreigners with a residence visa are eligible. To obtain a permit you must submit a medical certificate, have no felony convictions, and take shooting lessons. No handguns are allowed. You are allowed to import sporting guns with a permit and customs declaration.

Italy Gun Laws: Guns are permitted to citizens and foreigners with residence visas with clean criminal records who pass a mental and physical health check and have trained in firearm safety. This license allows you to purchase a gun. Then you seek a license to own and transport the gun outside your home. You can obtain a sport shooting or hunting license to engage in those activities. Individuals may keep as many as three handguns, 12 sport handguns or long guns, or an unlimited number of hunting long guns at home. Firearms must be registered with the local police department. Guns cannot be transported outside the home loaded, unless you have a personal protection/concealed carry license, for which you must prove a valid reason, like being in imminent danger.

Spain Gun Laws: To possess a gun in Spain, you must pass a background check, as well as a psychological and medical test (this must be done every year) and a practical and theoretical exam. You must be a citizen or legal resident. Licenses are generally given for sport shooting and hunting and allow up to six shotguns and 10 handguns. There is no limit on the number of rifles. Owning a handgun for self-defense is allowed when you are in verifiable danger.

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