Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: A sincere wish for our DU gun owners: visit Norway! [View all]NickB79
(19,333 posts)25. To summerize (based on Wikipedia's link)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Norway
You can own semi-automatic weapons, including high-power rifles.
You can own up to 4 handguns, including semi-auto models in popular calibers such as 9mm.
You can legally own silencers with no licensing required. In fact, you are often required to use them to limit noise pollution at shooting ranges and hunting.
You must be 18 to own a rifle or shotgun, and 21 to own a handgun.
You can legally store up to 15,000 rounds of ammo in your home.
You can own certain types of fully automatic weapons so long as you have the proper permits as a collector.
There is no mention of magazine limitations on Wikipedia, but another article I found stated hunting guns can only hold 3 rounds (http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/07/28/282174/breivik-gun-clips-united-states/). It also said the Norwegian mass murderer did legally purchase his Glock 30-rd handgun magazines in Norway, though.
In trade, the Norwegians are required to take a 9-30 hr training course, complete with testing at the end.
They must either purchase a hunting license and enroll in the hunting registry annually, or maintain an active membership at a shooting club/range.
Their guns must be secured in a safe, and the police are allowed to inspect it. However, they must give you 48 hr notice, and can only view the safe and leave.
Getting a gun for the express purpose of self/home defense is not allowed, but then again, a shotgun or handgun purchased for hunting and target shooting would work just as well for home defense if required.
No conceal-carry whatsoever.
And, as others have pointed out, you get a comprehensive social safety net.
I'd take that trade in a heartbeat. On the other hand, I know many DU'ers here that would choke on their own bile before accepting many of the rights that the Norwegians get.
You can own semi-automatic weapons, including high-power rifles.
You can own up to 4 handguns, including semi-auto models in popular calibers such as 9mm.
You can legally own silencers with no licensing required. In fact, you are often required to use them to limit noise pollution at shooting ranges and hunting.
You must be 18 to own a rifle or shotgun, and 21 to own a handgun.
You can legally store up to 15,000 rounds of ammo in your home.
You can own certain types of fully automatic weapons so long as you have the proper permits as a collector.
There is no mention of magazine limitations on Wikipedia, but another article I found stated hunting guns can only hold 3 rounds (http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/07/28/282174/breivik-gun-clips-united-states/). It also said the Norwegian mass murderer did legally purchase his Glock 30-rd handgun magazines in Norway, though.
In trade, the Norwegians are required to take a 9-30 hr training course, complete with testing at the end.
They must either purchase a hunting license and enroll in the hunting registry annually, or maintain an active membership at a shooting club/range.
Their guns must be secured in a safe, and the police are allowed to inspect it. However, they must give you 48 hr notice, and can only view the safe and leave.
Getting a gun for the express purpose of self/home defense is not allowed, but then again, a shotgun or handgun purchased for hunting and target shooting would work just as well for home defense if required.
No conceal-carry whatsoever.
And, as others have pointed out, you get a comprehensive social safety net.
I'd take that trade in a heartbeat. On the other hand, I know many DU'ers here that would choke on their own bile before accepting many of the rights that the Norwegians get.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
97 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
I wish young people, all young people, could travel abroad to see how others live.
NYC_SKP
Aug 2013
#2
Oh, I think it would. For kids and adults. I can see U.S. gun clubs organizing trips to visit gun
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#17
I would prefer that the trips be for those at the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum.
NYC_SKP
Aug 2013
#45
I know that's asking a lot, but it would be a good thing...broadens perspectives for kids who might
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#46
I agree that we need more work on social issues, but we can walk and chew gum at the
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#9
I like and favor your last suggestion. I would compare it with the public education done around
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#53
It is usually encumbent on a law's supporters not to leave everyone in suspense.
Eleanors38
Aug 2013
#82
And so...what? What's the link between their wealth and our lack of adequate gun safety laws?
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#11
Then I guess we've got to get busy here with some of those things...but that doesn't negate the need
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#10
It's sketchy at best to compare a country of 5 million to one of 300 million....
cigsandcoffee
Aug 2013
#7
Lawlessness is a problem, so get rid of, or do not pass, laws to help mitigate the problem?
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#12
I never said we should "legislate ourselves into Norway." You missed my point. I said there are
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#15
Again, I favor encouragement of learning different ways to solve our gun problems in this country.
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#42
Yes, it would help, but did you notice that the Norwegians don't JUST have those great networks?
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#19
we're alike in many important ways: a middle class, representational government, freedom loving,
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#33
we don't need to minimize or ignore them. We DO need to recognize where we CAN pay attention and
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#37
I favored the recent gun safety bill that failed in our Congress. I thought that was reasonable.
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#44
The "larger issues" to which you refer is the 800 lb. gorilla IMO. To wit, how did we allow the
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#54
Respectfully, I thought our discussion was about gun policy, not a missive about the radical right?
branford
Aug 2013
#63
I'm not a constitutional law expert at all, but I think the SCOTUS was in serious error with its
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#66
Your generalizations and stereotypes of gun owners is, quite frankly, offensive.
branford
Aug 2013
#40
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't that post mean you're a culture warrior?
friendly_iconoclast
Aug 2013
#52
I think there are harebrained aspects of overall American culture we'd be better off without
Scootaloo
Aug 2013
#84
oh good lord rrneck. You know full well I study historical roots of cultural developemt.
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#35
The European continenet went through utter madness and hell in WW2 and at the end of
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#47
I would be very careful of attributing gun ownership and support primarily to the right wing.
branford
Aug 2013
#72
Hard as it is for you to believe or accept, the Heller decision was part of the radical right's
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#75
It is surely not coming as a surprise to you that not everyone feels the same way you do
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#87
Compared to US laws- a gun owner in Norway is less restricted than the US in many ways
Lee-Lee
Aug 2013
#74
Of course, gun safety advocates wouldn't leap immediately for your proposed "offer."
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#85
So you don't want Norway has, but a composite of the most restrictive parts of US and Norwegian law
Lee-Lee
Aug 2013
#91
I think mandatory training is already being proposed by the governor of IL as part of a package of
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#93
If it looks like legislation is deisgned to help line the pockets of the NRA, I say find another way
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#95
I'm good with the 4th amendment. AS for "outmoded," I guess I have to ask you why you think
CTyankee
Aug 2013
#96