A comparison of firearms--related legislation on four continents

Firearms are produced in great quantities. Their use is universal, widespread and often lethal. The control and supervisory systems of these weapons differ from country to country and are an expression of specific attitudes and cultural trends of each society on the subjects of individual rights, violence and the meaning of firearm possession. This paper presents a comparative study of firearm use legislation of four different countries in four different areas of the world (Sweden, United States, Japan and Israel). Particular attention will be paid to the traditions and cultural characteristics underlying the differences in legislative approach.