Hacker News Reader

Comment by internet_user | Hacker News Reader

Wrong.

Czech Republic is a shall issue country in the heart of otherwise gunless Europe.

500 year long gun tradition. The only two times gun ownership/carry was suspended during those 500 years was under Nazi and Soviet occupation.

Even foreigners from friendly nations can obtain a permit and carry, not even the USA doesn’t do it.

Self-defence with deadly force enshrined in the constitution.

Lower homicide rates than gunless Asia.

Every gun permit is also automatically a concealed carry permit, again, not even the USA doesn’t allow in every state.

20% of parliamentarians carry weapons to the Parliament.

This is a country in Europe.

View on HN

The Czech Republic is a welfare state with universal healthcare, free university tuition, and other incredibly strong social safety nets in place. As a result, they rank #12 on the inequality-adjusted Human Development Index. More people living happy lives without fear of economic destitution is a good way to keep crime rates low. Desperation breeds antisocial behavior.

I'll never argue that the presence of guns directly cause gun violence. There are many factors at play. Strong gun regulations are one proven means to reduce gun violence, even if they are merely treating a symptom rather than the real disease. Unfortunately, making the necessary changes to truly solve the problem is even more of an uphill battle. I could see meaningful gun legislation passing within the next 10-15 years. But it will probably be decades before we solve our problems with inequality, healthcare, and education, assuming our entire democracy does not disintegrate first.

I never seen this "inequality-adjusted Human Development Index", but I'm certain Germany ranks higher on it than CZ, it is quite bit more developed than CZ in many areas. Many

Yet, they don't have shall issue laws, no constitutional rights like in CZ and USA, and their homicides (firearms or not) are somewhat higher. They border each other and have a long shared history going back a thousand years.

Seems regulations actually matter very little, except maybe appeasing the anxious that something is being done?

Czechs do ask for medical clearance, which is probably reasonable, but I'm afraid even that could be abused by a rogue government: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_abuse_of_psychiatry

Germany ranks slightly higher at #10. The US is down at #28.

Wikipedia has more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_inequalit...

> Even foreigners from friendly nations can obtain a permit and carry, not even the USA doesn’t do it.

People admitted under ESTA can legally possess a firearm (state law still applies). The 2nd amendment rights are the same for Green Card holders as they are for U.S. citizens, and for everyone else there’s the hunting permit loophole.

What do you mean, even the USA doesn’t do it?

In Czech Republic you need to take an exam on weapons law, which you must take in Czech.

You are definitely right about this (many of my green-card friends have multiple weapons), and of course you're right about state law.

I think what parent post was saying is that in Czech Republic (national not state level), foreigners can not only obtain firearms, but also carry (presumably concealed), which as I'm guessing you also know varies widely from state to state, and here in California from county to county.

Of course I'm mind-reading here, I could be totally wrong.

When my brother-in-law and his son come visit from Switzerland they love to go shooting. In fact they get bored with my stuff and rent things with more punch (e.g. .338 Lapua). We visited a friend of mine in TX, and the things you can rent there (e.g. .50 BMG), we've only heard myths of those in CA, no one's actually ever seen one.

> Every gun permit is also automatically a concealed carry permit, again, not even the USA doesn’t allow in every state.

Not technically true, there needs to be a reason, but in most cases concealed carry is generally accepted.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com