Firearms in Japan
Japan does have its fair share of crime but from my 10 years of living here, my observations are that the crime rate is pretty low compared to other parts of the world - things like a man sticking ice cream in a postbox make prime time news.
You do see on the news from time to time that somebody got shot but its nowhere as often as what I saw on the TV back in the UK for example.
The last time I went back to the UK after being away for a few years, most of the news was filled with kidnappings, stabbings, shootings and fires being deliberately set - then the firemen being beaten up when they arrived to put out the flames.
The last time I went back to the UK after being away for a few years, most of the news was filled with kidnappings, stabbings, shootings and fires being deliberately set - then the firemen being beaten up when they arrived to put out the flames.
Anyway, back to firearms. The following people are given permits to carry a gun in Japan:-
- Police/Royal guards.
- Soldiers of Japans Self Defense Force.
- Marine soldiers.
- Customs offices who work for the Ministry of Finance.
- Officers belonging to the Ministry of Justice.
- Narcotics Agents belonging to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
- Narcotics Agents belonging to Japans prefectures.
As you can see, its the law enforcing folks who are permitted to carry guns. An exception are the Japanese security guards staffed at the American bases in Japan.
Many moons ago when the postal service was first starting out, there were many cases where the postmen were attacked for the cash that they carried. In 1873, Japan followed Frances example and equipped their postmen with revolvers for protection.
Regarding the sport of rifle shooting, Japan has given permits of up to 50 people nationwide to be able to use a gun for their sport. The sports wo/men are not allowed to keep the guns at home and must have their closet police station look after the firearms.
While the normal folk are not allowed to carry guns, there seems to be no law against carrying replica air guns which are readily available. All these photos are taken at matsuri where these air guns are generally aimed at young boys. You will often see buys running around with airguns at the festivals too.
You can even get airguns at Amazon Japan for 2000 yen-ish.
This is my Beretta - weighs about 1.5 - 2kgs which I got after getting an urge to own a Socom when playing too much Metal Gear Solid. All the Socom's at the time were sold out so I got this instead ^^;
Its powered by gas and fires plastic BB pellets. Cant remember exactly how much it cost but I think the gun was about 18000 yen and light attachment alone was something like 20000 yen @.@
Its powered by gas and fires plastic BB pellets. Cant remember exactly how much it cost but I think the gun was about 18000 yen and light attachment alone was something like 20000 yen @.@
While I am interested in airguns, I have no interest in owning a real gun and dont particularly feel the need for one.
What are the gun laws like in your region? Do you or your folks keep firearms at home? Have you aver needed to use it? How about the purchase and ownership of airguns?
Info about firearms in Japan from Wikipedia.