Guns are invariably a subject of controversy, especially the different rules and laws of every country. It is very likely to get lost in the rules of every nation and get confused between them. One such topic of confusion is the gun laws in Canada and The US.
Although these nations carry tons of similarities, they differ in the laws, and not understanding and following them can lead to grave complications.
Key Takeaways
- Canadian gun laws are stricter than those in the US, requiring more extensive background checks, licensing, and training.
- The US has a constitutional right to bear arms, while Canada does not have an equivalent provision in its constitution.
- Gun ownership rates in the US are significantly higher than in Canada, partly due to the differences in gun control legislation.
Gun Laws in Canada vs The US
The gun laws in Canada and the US are significantly different, with Canada having stricter regulations requiring individuals to register their firearms. The gun laws in the US allow for the purchase of firearms without background checks in some instances, such as private sales and gun shows.
Aforementioned, the Gun Laws in Canada are composed of a single act, and the procedure of obscuring a gun in Canada is tedious and excessively long.
Typically, it is considered morally wrong to own a gun in Canada as they prioritize safety above everything. Throughout the years, no gun lobbies have ever influenced the laws regulated by the Canadian government.
In contrast, Gun Laws in The US is composed of several leaders and government. The process of obtaining a gun in The US is quite easy, and they do not perceive it as a crime.
In The United States, gun ownership is regarded as the fundamental right of a citizen and is included in the Constitution.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Gun Laws in Canada | Gun Laws in the US |
|---|---|---|
| Act controlling the laws | Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1977 | Gun Control Act, 1968 |
| Severity of Laws | Extremely Strict | Comparatively Lenient |
| Duration of Background Check | 28 days | Few Days |
| Opinion on gun ownership | Ethically incorrect | Right for self-protection and self-defense |
| Rate of Gun-Deaths | Extremely Low | Notably High |
What are the Gun Laws in Canada?
Throughout the years in the past, Canada has followed strict regulations in terms of gun ownership. Owning a gun in Canada is extremely lengthy and involves safety assessment and a reference by a third party.
Mostly, Canadian citizens possess firearms for distant shooting, hunting, and target shooting, and possession of arms for self-defense is strictly prohibited in Canada. Also, the transportation of arms inter-states is too tedious and complicated.
In Canada, the Firearms Act is categorized into 3 types-Non-restricted, Restricted, and Prohibited. Non-restricted includes all guns with lengths more than 26 inches and is used for hunting.
The restricted category includes handguns with barrel lengths of more than 4.1 inches and can be expelled at high ranges, and these guns are restricted but not prohibited.
The third category- Prohibited, include firearms that the citizens cannot possess, these are military arms and military weapons.
The only way to obtain the prohibited arms is by inheriting them from a military ancestor. Citizens can obtain permission by legally applying to carry firearms for protection from wild animals and wildlife.
Only adults above 18 can procure a license for a firearm in Canada, children under 18 and above 12 can own a minor license which allows them to borrow a gun. Children living in remote areas avail of this license to practice hunting.
Ownership of firearms is strictly prohibited to persons possessing criminal records or who have records of executing domestic violence, or having mental issues.
These restrictions prove to be beneficial for the nation as Canada has the lowest gun-related deaths annually.
What are the Gun Laws in The US?
Aforementioned, the United States has comparatively lenient laws on the ownership of firearms. They consider it a fundamental citizen right to self-defence, as mentioned in their constitution.
Gun Laws in the United States are considered to be the most lenient in the world.
Although federal statutes form all the laws, few state governments pursue their own set of rules. Almost all citizens can purchase and own a gun in the US.
Background checks do take place and go on for a few days but are not strict enough, as quoted by the activists. Only convicted criminals, mentally unstable patients, and illegal immigrants are prohibited from carrying a gun.
There are two types of gun carrying in the US- open and concealed.
Open carrying of firearms is followed with stricter restrictions, and some states entirely prohibit carrying guns in the open, while some states allow carrying handguns but prohibit carrying long guns.
On the other hand, concealed carrying is allowed in most of the states, with some exceptions.
About 31 states prohibit the open carrying of guns, while 15 states allow open carrying, provided you have a permit and a license.
As of now, most of the states in The United States allow the carrying of firearms anywhere in the country without a permit by just approving with a Photo ID and documents to show yearly training in an authorized state.
Most of the laws in the US are mentioned in the Gun Control Act of 1968, but every state has laws that keep changing rapidly and will keep on changing.
Due to the mild and easy-going laws, the US faces the brunt of recording numerous gun-related deaths annually.
Main Differences Between Gun Laws in Canada and the US
- The gun laws in Canada are comparatively stricter than the United States, as the laws in the US are lenient and easy-going.
- The background checks in Canada are firm and diligent and take up to 28 days, on the other hand, the background checks in the US are loose and take only a few days.
- Canada considers gun ownership as morally wrong, in contrast, the United States considers gun ownership as a fundamental right for self-protection.
- Several gun lobbies influence the gun laws in the United States, whereas the gun lobbies in Canada are much weaker and practically have no control over the laws.
- Open carrying of arms in Canada is strictly prohibited, excluding the professions who need a gun, while in the US, open carrying of guns is allowed with almost no restrictions.
References
- https://books.google.com/bookshl=en&lr=&id=2zHo7woTbZsC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=gun+laws+in+canada&ots=wT85SlNfnj&sig=P8KXcy2NeJJYbubAeFbE9p3srUY
- https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/192077/U.S.%20Gun%20Policy_%20Global%20…pdf
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
The disparity is astonishing. What is the US doing to address the high number of gun-related deaths? And how can Canada’s approach serve as a model for the US?
These are pertinent questions that need urgent attention.
Both countries can learn valuable lessons from each other, but whether they will act upon it is yet to be seen.
It is disappointing to see such lax gun laws in the US. This article has shed light on the urgency to reconsider these laws and enforce stricter regulations.
Indeed. Thank you for this comprehensive analysis. It is time for the US to reevaluate its approach to gun control.
This was a great explanation of the laws between the two countries. It is easier to understand the differences now, thank you!
Yes, it’s an eye-opening insight into the discrepancies.
It is shocking that the US has significantly looser gun laws compared to Canada. This poses serious risks, particularly due to the high gun-related deaths recorded each year in the US.
I completely agree. The leniency in gun laws is a national security issue.
This is an indispensable article to understand the stark contrasts between the gun laws of the US and Canada.
Absolutely. The detailed comparison highlights the gravity of these disparities.
This is ridiculous. The US should tighten its laws, and Canada should loosen them a bit. How can it be easier and safer to get a gun in the US than in Canada? This is absurd!!
I share your concern. The discrepancy between these laws is a matter of great concern for the stability and security of both nations.