Norway has the highest rate of gun ownership in Western Europe, yet possesses the lowest murder rate. In contrast, Holland’s murder rate is nearly the worst, despite having the lowest gun ownership rate in Western Europe. Sweden and Denmark are two more examples of nations with high murder rates but few guns.

Ownership and Possession Anyone who wants to own or possess firearms must have permission granted by the police commissioner, in the form of a firearms permit (våpenkort). It can be set as a condition for the granting of the license that the right to hand over the weapon to another party for up to four weeks (under section 11 of the Act) shall not apply.[37] In special circumstances, permission to own or possess a weapon can be issued to cover a specified period of time.[38] Permission from the police commissioner is necessary in order to make a significant change in the character or nature of the firearm or to substantially modify its ownership or possession.[39] Except for eligible recipients specified in the Act’s section 11, firearms or firearms parts may not be left with someone not authorized to possess them.[40] The firearms permit or the loan declaration must be shown upon the request of the police; weapon holders must always have with them the firearms permit or loan declaration when carrying or transporting the firearm, firearm parts, or ammunition, or else those items may be taken into police custody until the applicable document is presented.[41] The Firearms Regulations contain a lengthy chapter on the conditions for authorized acquisition and possession of firearms. It covers the requirements for natural persons, legal persons, law enforcement officials and officers, and third parties as well as for purposes of collection, animal slaughter, pest eradication and seal hunting, protection, heritage and sentimental value, a museum collection, shooting and gun collection organizations, and so on.[42] The police commissioner will revoke the firearms permit if the holder is not “sober and reliable” or if there are special circumstances that cause the holder to be deemed unfit to have a firearm. The permit can also be revoked if the holder no longer needs to have the firearm or on other reasonable grounds.[43] Upon revocation of the permit under such circumstances, the firearm is to be immediately submitted to the police commissioner.[44] A license issued pursuant to the Firearms Act’s provisions on the sale of firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition or on their production may be revoked by the issuing authority if the license holder no longer meets the conditions for obtaining a license or if he contravenes the rules governing the exercise of the license.[45] Prohibited Weapons and Ammunition The Firearms Regulations make it illegal to acquire, hold, or possess firearms normally used as (a) weapons of war, (b) fully automatic weapons, and (c) firearms disguised as other objects.[46] The National Police Directorate (Politidirektoratet) (NPD) may issue regulations that prohibit the acquisition, ownership, or possession of firearms or types of firearms that through their design or operation are perceived to be especially dangerous or inappropriate for use.[47] The acquisition, ownership, or possession of certain semiautomatic weapons is also banned by the Firearms Regulations. Semiautomatic weapons that can be easily converted to produce fully automatic fire are banned. Would-be owners of a semiautomatic weapon must obtain police approval for the weapon.[48] As a general rule, semiautomatic weapons approved pursuant to corresponding rules in another European Economic Area country (the twenty-seven European Union Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) will be approved by the NPD.[49] In addition, there is a ban on certain weapons or similar equipment not covered by the definition of firearms in the Firearms Act. These include stun guns, pepper spray, and other products for self defense that have an equivalent effect; as well as flick knives, batanga knives, stilettos, brass knuckles, billy clubs, karate sticks, throwing stars, blow guns for firing arrows or other objects, slingshots, and other similar, especially dangerous items.[50] The police commissioner has the authority to waive this prohibition, however, in special circumstances.[51] Acquiring, owning, or possessing a crossbow is also prohibited, unless a permit has been obtained from the police commissioner and the applicant meets the personal qualifications required.[52] Reportedly, many categories of weapons, including some powerful handguns, have also been banned from sale.[53] Forbidden ammunition includes armor-piercing ammunition, incendiary and explosive munitions, and ammunition and projectiles with the power to expand for use in pistols and revolvers with central fire ignition (except when used for practice and competition shooting).[54] Even though these domestic controls are in place, there remains the possibility of acquiring materiel from abroad. While the sale of clips for hunting rifles that hold more than three bullets is reportedly banned in Norway, Anders Breivik wrote in his manifesto that he bought ammunition clips for his rifle from a small, undisclosed US supplier that had acquired the clips from other suppliers.[55] Back to Top Sale and Manufacture of Firearms Anyone who wants to trade in firearms, firearm parts, or ammunition must have a license (bevilling) from the competent ministry. The license application is to be submitted to the police commissioner of the district where the applicant intends to conduct business.[56] The license may be limited to specific types of firearms and ammunition and may also be made subject to other conditions determined by the competent ministry.[57] The license is required to contain details of the holder’s name and place of business, the scope of the license, and the conditions applicable to its use.[58] The license can only be granted to persons considered fit to trade in firearms and ammunition who have business and warehouse facilities that meet the rules in force on the storage of such goods.[59] The Act’s provisions authorizing the purchase, acquisition, or lending of firearms, firearm parts, or ammunition do not apply to a trade licensee’s purchase of such materiel for resale.[60] The trade license must be dated and signed by the police commissioner or his attorney and state the scope of the license, the name and place of the business, the name and address of the store manager responsible, the name and address of the person who may become general manager of sales of firearms, etc., and the terms and conditions that apply to exercising the license.[61] Police districts maintain an ongoing record (fortegnelse) of all trade licenses, and a record of new and revoked licenses will immediately be entered in the central weapons register (sentralt våpenregister).[62] Authorized firearms dealers may only make deliveries of their goods to persons who can present a valid and comprehensive permit (tillatelse), if such a permit is required for acquisition of the goods. The dealer must ensure that delivery is made to the right person.[63] Delivery to another dealer may only take place when that dealer can prove that he or she has a license to trade in those goods to which the order applies. Upon delivery, the supplier is required to give notification of that fact to the police commissioner of the district where the supplier has his or her place of business. The notification will also state the date of delivery, the name and address of the consignee, and the number, type or nature, trademark, model designation, caliber, mechanism type, and number of weapons or weapons parts or the quantity and type of ammunition supplied.[64] The police may direct the dealer to provide the notification in electronic form.[65] Authorized dealers have an obligation to maintain a continuous record of all purchases, sales, loans, etc. of firearms and firearms parts that are subject to control. The record must state the date of receipt or delivery; the name of the seller or buyer; and the quantity, type or nature, trademark, model designation, caliber, mechanism type, and the numbering of weapons or weapons parts received or delivered.[66] Upon the sale, etc., of these goods the dealer is required to attach a copy to the record of the person’s acquisition permit (or sales notice, if the sale is to another dealer). Upon a purchase, etc., from an individual, the dealer is required to attach a purchase notice. Upon importation, a copy of the vendor invoice and shipping slip must be attached.[67] Upon the import of firearms and firearms parts, the dealer is required to set up a list (oppgave) of such goods. Within ten days after the imported items arrived in stock, the dealer is required to send the list to the police commissioner of the district where the dealer has his place of business.[68] At the end of each quarter, the dealer is required to update the list of his inventory of firearms or firearms parts subject to control. The list must state the firearms’ or parts’ quantity, type or nature, trademark, model designation, caliber, mechanism type, and number and must be sent to the police commissioner.[69] A dealer must immediately notify the police if he comes into possession of banned firearms or unregistered firearms that are subject to registration.[70] Manufacturers of firearms or firearm parts for sale must be licensed by the competent ministry; this also generally applies to ammunition manufacturers.[71] Those who make firearms or firearm parts for their own use, or their own ammunition, must be at least eighteen years of age and have permission from the police commissioner of the district where they reside. The licensing provisions in the Act are also applicable to weapons manufactured in this manner.[72] Those who supply firearms are to mark the firearms and firearms parts with a unique brand as well as the manufacturer’s name, the country of origin or manufacturing location, the serial number, and the year (if not part of the serial number).[73] Importers of firearms that are subject to registration must mark the firearms and firearms parts with a unique brand that indicates the country of import and the importer.[74] The Police Directorate has the authority to provide additional guidelines with reference to these provisions.[75]