Revealed: Countries with Highest Gun Ownership, 2024

Gun ownership varies significantly around the world. Citizens of more than 175 countries are allowed to own firearms, although with specific regulations on ownership, such as banning certain types of firearms. Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States have gone one step further to make gun ownership a constitutional right. However, even those countries may place limits on certain types of firearms. The U.S. Supreme Court, for instance, upheld a temporary ban on certain assault rifles and high-capacity magazines from 1994–2004. On the other hand, civilian ownership of firearms is banned outright in North Korea and Eritrea.

Civilian guns owned per 100 people: The Small Arms Survey, which tallied the number of weapons (registered and unregistered) owned by civilians, the military, and law enforcement agencies for each country, was released in the most recent comprehensive survey of gun ownership worldwide. The results were informative, though not entirely surprising for many experts on firearms policy:

The United States has the highest rate of civilian gun ownership in the world — in fact, nearly double that of the second-place country, with 120.5 civilian-owned firearms per 100 people. There are many U.S. residents who don’t own guns at all, whereas many others own multiple firearms. The U.S., therefore, is home to more guns than people. An ABC News article about the survey pointed out that the U.S. has “less than 5% of the world’s population, but 40% of the world’s civilian-owned guns.” Considering the ongoing frequency of gun violence in the United States, particularly gun-enabled suicides and mass shootings in schools, places of worship, and businesses, many people believe gun laws should be revised and reinforced in the U.S. Nevertheless, with gun control a highly politicized issue, nationwide, reforms become challenging to pass.

Countries with the most restrictive firearms laws are China, India, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam. With the lowest gun ownership rates, Taiwan and Indonesia have zero civilian firearms per 100 people. Guns, however, aren’t banned in either of these countries. Taiwan only allows shotguns, handguns, and regular rifles. A background check and license, however, are required for all guns. In Indonesia, firearms are sold and handled by the Weapons Officers of the Indonesian National Police. Indonesian law also requires a background check.

Countries with Highest Gun Ownership, 2024

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