Gun laws in Delkora
Gun laws in Delkora are considered highly restrictive, with extensive regulations governing the registration and sale of guns, types of guns that can be owned, and strict storage requirements. Civilian gun ownership is governed by the federal Firearm Act of 1994 and a variety of state and local legislation.
Licensing and registration
Permanent residents of Delkora are eligible to apply for a Federal Firearm Permit provided they are at least 21 years old and do not have a criminal record, a history of severe mental illness, or a history of substance abuse, and have resided in the Kingdom for at least 10 years. Applicants are required to submit to a psychological evaluation and an extensive background check which includes a police interview as well as interviews with the applicant's family and associates. Permits are issued on a may issue basis, with local police authorities making the final decision on whether or not to grant a permit. When applying for a permit, applicants must provide a valid reason for gun ownership, which can be one of the following:
| Reason | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunting | Applicant must possess a valid hunting permit and can only purchase guns appropriate for the types of game that will be hunted. |
| 2 | Sport Shooting | Applicant must be a documented member of a recognized sport shooting organization and possess a valid sport shooting permit. |
| 3 | Occupational | The applicant is required to carry a firearm as part of their normal work duties. This applies mostly to private security workers; firearm possession by police and military personnel is governed by separate legislation. |
| 4 | Collecting | For ownership of antique firearms, defined as those manufactured before 1900. |
After completing the above steps, the applicant must pass a firearm training course and a multiple-choice exam. These must be retaken every five years in order to renew the permit. Civilian firearms are registered with the federal Ministry of the Interior upon purchase. The Ministry maintains a national database of all civilian-owned firearms including their owner, location, and authorized use. It is illegal for a person or business to sell a firearm to an individual who does not have a valid permit.
In the event a firearm owner becomes ineligible to possess a firearm, their permit lapses, or they demonstrate warning signs of violent behavior, police can confiscate their firearms pursuant to a court order.
Storage and transfer
Guns must be securely stored in a person's residence in an approved safe that is bolted down. Police are allowed to inspect a person's firearms and firearm safes to ensure they adhere to regulations; inspections can be conducted not more than once every six months, and police must give the owner 72 hours notice of an impending inspection. Firearms can only be transported in public in connection with legally authorized uses or when transferring ownership. While in transport, they must be locked up and concealed in a vehicle. Guns may not be carried on one's person in public.
Categorization
The Firearm Act defines three categories of weapons, each of which is subject to different regulations:
- Category A (Prohibited weapons and components): Includes fully automatic firearms and any device which can be affixed to a firearm to enable fully automatic firing, most semi-automatic rifles, submachine guns, short-barreled shotguns, firearms disguised as another object, armor-piercing rounds, extended magazines (defined as those capable of carrying more than 10 rounds), silencers, and explosive or incendiary devices or munitions including, but not limited to, flamethrowers, grenades, rocket launchers, mortars, and artillery. Category A weapons are illegal for civilian possession without exception, with violations carrying stiff penalties.
- Category B (Restricted weapons): Includes a narrow class of semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, as well as most handguns, revolvers, and other easily-concealed firearms not included in Category A. While Category B weapons can be legally obtained, there is a much higher threshold for acquiring these weapons such that they are almost impossible to acquire in practice.
- Category C (Authorized weapons) Includes most bolt-action rifles and shotguns, airsoft guns, crossbows, and tasers. These are the most commonly owned firearms and the easiest to obtain with a Federal Firearm Permit.
Police
Both federal and state police officers in Delkora are typically assigned a standard-issue sidearm that they carry while on duty; these sidearms may not be carried on their person when they are not acting in a law enforcement capacity. As a result of its restrictive gun culture and police training in de-escalation tactics, Delkora has among the lowest rates of police shootings of civilians in Tyran.