Those age 20 or above who want to possess a gun need to go through a lengthy screening process by the local public security committee, which is the governing body for the prefectural police force.
It doesn’t mention that there are restrictions on types of firearms, but it’s possible to own shotguns and rifles. Pellet guns are also possible, though I’m not sure ‘firearm’ is the right word there. I think crossbows were recently outlawed due to murders (previously I think they were in a weird grandfathered-in state, but I’m not 100% sure on that).
In any case, access to firearms is so restricted, it isn’t a factor in suicide, yet Japan’s suicide rate is comparable to the US and often exceeds it. So the pat answer that firearms is what makes suicide numbers high is bullshit.
Nobody argued that there are no other factors like social pressure. Obviously it is a problem when about half of the suicides involve a gun. Building hurdles and adding effort is needed to prevent deaths.
Addressing the actual problems, not outlawing rope, is what needs to be done to reduce suicide. If you think people that want to die are going to be slowed down by not having a gun, you haven’t got a clue what suicidal depression is all about.
It’s non-zero, including handguns which would have to be illegally obtained outside of very narrow circumstances (police, military, maybe competitive target shooters?, etc.). I imagine it would be much higher if guns were more widely available. Here are statistics https://www.e-stat.go.jp/dbview?sid=0003411679
Japan has
novery difficult access to firearms.This is factually incorrect. I could go get my firearms and license right now if I wanted to (not that it’s easy, but it’s possible). See https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/05/31/national/crime-legal/gun-control-explainer/ for more info in English.
It doesn’t mention that there are restrictions on types of firearms, but it’s possible to own shotguns and rifles. Pellet guns are also possible, though I’m not sure ‘firearm’ is the right word there. I think crossbows were recently outlawed due to murders (previously I think they were in a weird grandfathered-in state, but I’m not 100% sure on that).
In any case, access to firearms is so restricted, it isn’t a factor in suicide, yet Japan’s suicide rate is comparable to the US and often exceeds it. So the pat answer that firearms is what makes suicide numbers high is bullshit.
Nobody argued that there are no other factors like social pressure. Obviously it is a problem when about half of the suicides involve a gun. Building hurdles and adding effort is needed to prevent deaths.
Addressing the actual problems, not outlawing rope, is what needs to be done to reduce suicide. If you think people that want to die are going to be slowed down by not having a gun, you haven’t got a clue what suicidal depression is all about.
Or one could do both. Reduce access to killing tools and reasons to kill.
It’s non-zero, including handguns which would have to be illegally obtained outside of very narrow circumstances (police, military, maybe competitive target shooters?, etc.). I imagine it would be much higher if guns were more widely available. Here are statistics https://www.e-stat.go.jp/dbview?sid=0003411679