I believe Japanese firearm law has been responsive to emerging security issues, which has seen the country succeed in controlling gun-related crimes. Following that analogy, it is plausible to argue that the country’s success in reducing gun deaths is linked to its history, and I will justify that. Pacifism has been Japanese philosophy since WWII. Soldiers were only allowed to carry guns the first time in 1946 when the American troops designed them, and this was for security reasons only. As of 1958, the Japanese law stipulated that citizens would not possess firearms or swords. Although the government has been revising such provisions, the fact that Japan enacted gun control from prohibition was pro-active and has seen the country take charge of firearm used; ultimately reducing incidences of misuse.
For the longest time, the Japanese governments have embraced the idea that fewer firearms in the hands of the locals will be effective in limiting the number of gun crimes in the country. Owning a firearm in Japan is a cumbersome process requiring a person to go through a lengthy all-day training, take and pass a written exam, and shooting range test with at least a 95% mark. Further, individuals who are intending to own a gun must undergo mental health and drug test. The police have to ascertain the person’s criminal record and establish whether the individual has any links to extremist groups relatives and work colleagues as part of the background checks. The law authorities retain the power to search and seize weapons. As well, handguns in Japan are not permissible and only rifles and short guns are allowed. With the number of gun shops per area under restriction, it is never easy for people to acquire the guns. New cartridges can only be issued upon returning the spent cartridges that were bought during the last visit. Such provision has been crucial controlling possible misuse of guns in the country. According to the author of Library of Congress law article titled, “Firearms-Control Legislation and Policy: Japan” the nation has a long history of regulations that limit gun possession by individuals of the general public.
The above laws demonstrate the countries commitment in restricting the ownership and use of guns, which helps the country reduce gun-related deaths. Compared to other European countries, who have been struggling to introduce laws towards reducing criminal activities perpetuated due to the enormous number of firearms in the hands of their general public, Japan was proactive from the moment the first guns were introduced. Such an approach has seen the country record low rate of gun violence and every other time the government identifies any gap in the handling of firearms, it introduces new policies to counteract the situation. With such approach subsequent governments have succeeded in creating an attitude of no-firearms in the general public. Japan culture of gun-ownership is worth emulating by other European countries who have struggled with increasing gun-related crimes that are associated with high-level of firearms in the hands of the public. However, it is worth noting that the country experiences illegal firearm ownership where people intending to perpetuate criminal activities use unscrupulous methods to access firearms. Such instances contribute to a substantial share of criminal activities and the country requires concerted effort over and above the current law that gives the police the authority to search and seize firearms , to take control of gun-related crime.