I don’t know what’s the appropriate forum for this, so I will put it in Taiwan politics for now as gun control seems to be a political issue, at least in the USA.
As you know Taiwan has very very strict gun laws, with such a harsh penalty that possessing even one bullet will get you a punishment that almost puts the Salem witchcraft trials to shame. However when looking deeper into the specifics of owning a gun legally in Taiwan (which is difficult), there is apparently a law that allows any citizens to own a firearm for defensive purposes. You have to get a license for it, and basically anyone who has no criminal record may apply for this license, but it limits you to one firearm (two per household at the most) and 15 rounds of ammunition. However I have also read that in practice it is almost impossible to get this license unless you have serious political connection.
[quote=“Taiwan Luthiers”]I don’t know what’s the appropriate forum for this, so I will put it in Taiwan politics for now as gun control seems to be a political issue, at least in the USA.
As you know Taiwan has very very strict gun laws, with such a harsh penalty that possessing even one bullet will get you a punishment that almost puts the Salem witchcraft trials to shame. However when looking deeper into the specifics of owning a gun legally in Taiwan (which is difficult), there is apparently a law that allows any citizens to own a firearm for defensive purposes. You have to get a license for it, and basically anyone who has no criminal record may apply for this license, but it limits you to one firearm (two per household at the most) and 15 rounds of ammunition. However I have also read that in practice it is almost impossible to get this license unless you have serious political connection.
Does anyone know about this?[/quote]
I don’t know where you get your information from, but guns cannot be kept at home by private individuals for defensive purposes. As far as I know, all gun permits require the firearms to be stored in a police station when not being used for their intended purpose (hunting, sport shooting) and the guns can only be used in places designated on the permit (aboriginal hunting ground, shooting range etc). The permit requires the firearms to be transported directly from the police station to their registered place of use, and then back to the police station again.
I know of one private security company that owns a number of handguns for defensive use, but those guns cannot be legally carried or used in Taiwan. They are checked out of the police station when the company sends its bodyguards to accompany VIPs on overseas trips, and they have to be checked back into the police station when the bodyguards return to Taiwan.
It appears private citizens may be allowed to have a single firearm and a very limited number of ammunition for defensive purposes, but a license is needed and it’s not easy to get in practice from what I read. The person may not have any criminal history obviously.
Also it seems foreigners may also own guns for this purpose (but in practice its probably impossible unless you are an AIT staff or other politically sensitive foreigner) however the applicant must also submit paperworks to the embassy/trade office of his/her home country as well (according to article 8)
Are you sure that stuff doesn’t date back to the martial law era or something? It’s just the 10元 and 20元 fees for the firearms licenses seemed a little bit low.
Are you sure that stuff doesn’t date back to the martial law era or something? It’s just the 10元 and 20元 fees for the firearms licenses seemed a little bit low.[/quote]
I don’t know how current it is but I would expect things to be stricter back in those days… it doesn’t matter because I’ve read in practice its impossible for individuals to get the license. Heck back in the martial law days there are a lot of stuff people could be executed for, for example, counterfeiting money, kidnapping with ransoms, etc. that are now no longer a crime punishable by death.
I don’t know, man, you get some guy, finds a screw in his waffle, he goes on a rampage, who’s probably going to be his first target???[/quote]
Whats to stop cops from doing that? They are under so much pressure most of the time, and suicide rate among cops are quite high.[/quote]
Most of them can’t afford to eat in waffle restaurants, I don’t think.[/quote]
Apparently, most of them can’t shoot straight, either. Wasn’t there a case a while back where they were trying to take out a burglar and managed to kill some schoolgirl in a building halfway down the road?
Anyway, it’s unlikely you’ll get a gun license unless you are a member of the [strike]mafia[/strike]highly respected business community. As long as only criminals have guns, I’d say the world is a safer place.
Like I said people have said that in practice it is impossible for the average person to actually get this license without some kind of a special connection but then again no one seems to have challenged the status quo, so if it became a concern for a good number of Taiwanese I am sure they can successfully challenge it, as the law says anyone who has no criminal record or mental instability should be eligible to get the license and own a gun for self defense. I guess it would become a bigger issue if say crime becomes a bigger problem or people fear for their safety…
Is there even anywhere you could do this? I mean, if gun laws are this restricted, then I doubt that even if you managed to get one of these licenses the police would be happy with you shooting cans in the park.
Is there even anywhere you could do this? I mean, if gun laws are this restricted, then I doubt that even if you managed to get one of these licenses the police would be happy with you shooting cans in the park.[/quote]
I heard there’s a skeet range somewhere but currently its closed until December for renovation…
If you really want a gun the legal route will get you no where. You can go visit your friendly neighborhood gangster and get one from him. If you insist on the legality route then get a powerful BB gun or salt gun. You could even modify a kick ass paint gun and order(legally) paint ball ammunition with something extra inside. I have heard it feels like getting shot buy a potato gun. Legal and drives away the threat. If you are short of money then learn to throw knives.
if you think the average wealthy citizens with zero criminal background in Taiwan
don’t have a Glock or two in their homes, you’re sorely mistaken… that’s as
far as I’m willing say.
very high risk job :roflmao: :ohreally:
that’s as