Hello/Bonjour~ 🙂

I have a question for Canadians. I've always wanted to know what made Canada different from the US when it comes to gun possession.

I mean, both countries share many similarities in historical backgrounds (eg. the New World, European invasion, the pioneer spirit etc.) but one country is generous to gun possession, whereas the other country is not. What could be the reasons for the difference?

(I'm not sure if I wrote the question correctly in English. I wanted to ask "캐나다와 미국은 비슷한 역사적 배경을 가지고 있는데, 어떤 이유로 총기 소유에 있어서 많이 달라진 건가요?"
Canada and the US share similar historical backgrounds, but why are they so different when it comes to gun possession?)

Answers

COASTBC

19 Nov 2020

Featured answer

Country or region Canada

@Gongbuhaja The difference is the US Constitution. Once you give someone a right, they will protect it jealously.
America was created by revolution. Everyone being armed was considered essential to national security at the time. Canada didn't start that way. Guns here were and are a way to feed yourself. Simply a tool and a very limited one at that.

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COASTBC

19 Nov 2020

Country or region Canada

Our laws are much stricter. You need a license to own any gun. That requires a police background check and interviews with people you know. They want to make sure you're not a criminal or crazy. You need a different license to own a hand gun. You can only go to the target range with a hand gun and you have many severe restrictions. It's much more hassle than it's worth, so handgun ownership is rare. Semiautomatic rifles are limited to five round capacity, excluding rim fire .22 and .17 calibers.
There is no capacity limit on manually operated rifles. Most typically hold no more than 5 in any case. If you need more than 2 for hunting, you shouldn't be hunting.
Ultimately the gun culture is different. We don't have a constitutional right to own guns like the Americans do. There is paranoia in the US gun culture that the government will take away that right. They've become militant about keeping their right to own guns. Between nine neighbors only one owns rifles and I've never seen them. They only come out of his gun locker (another legal requirement) When he goes hunting and they are in a gun case when he does.

Air rifles too are limited to 495 feet per second velocity. Any air rifle faster than that is considered a firearm and needs the same license.
Bows, crossbows and slingshots don't need a license.

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Gongbuhaja

19 Nov 2020

Country or region Korea, Republic Of

@COASTBC

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the detailed explanation! (I'm impressed! 🤩 Wish I could give you more than 10 thumbs up👍.)
But, I'm still wondering as to why the two countries became different when it comes to gun possession although they share similar historical backgrounds. 😅

Personally, I like the Canada's way of controlling guns because I'm from a country where guns are completely banned. I've never seen real guns/rifles in my entire life and almost all Korean police officers do not carry guns.

COASTBC

19 Nov 2020

Country or region Canada

@Gongbuhaja The difference is the US Constitution. Once you give someone a right, they will protect it jealously.
America was created by revolution. Everyone being armed was considered essential to national security at the time. Canada didn't start that way. Guns here were and are a way to feed yourself. Simply a tool and a very limited one at that.

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Gongbuhaja

19 Nov 2020

Country or region Korea, Republic Of

@COASTBC

What a perfect answer!
Right! Canada is a commonwealth country, while the US fought against Britain.

Thank you so much again!

Please accept my 1,000,000👍👍. 😃