You want an extreme perspective on this, come to the UK. Basic requirements are as follows:

Handguns: Banned since 1997, as one nutter who should not have been allowed them under the previous strict license scheme shot up a school full of 7 year olds.

Shotguns: license relatively easy to obtain. Full police check and well secured gun cupboard, with regular inspections required.

Rifles (single shot): Hold shotgun license for some years, demonstrate your competence with and need for a rifle.

Rifles (semi auto or above): Firearms or Terrorism charges, depending on circumstances.


Guess what proportion of Guns used in criminal acts are legally Held... roughly 0%



And it's a cultural thing, as ( the 0% figure) that was true a decade ago, when hand guns were legal, and the police were less strict on the other licenses.