hh on Nostr: Same in Spain. It's regulatory hell, and the "authorities" make it as ridiculous, ...

Same in Spain. It's regulatory hell, and the "authorities" make it as ridiculous, arbitrary, expensive and time-consuming as possible. But hunting is still legal, so the country is full of long guns (most of which are definitely not used for hunting).

That said, the government is clearly playing a long game. Little by little hunting is increasingly unpopular, so gun ownership decreases. In fact, every time I go to the paramilitary police, who is in charge of gun control, for whatever paperwork, there is always someone with a bunch of shotguns and rifles from a recently deceased person, surrendering them for destruction because they don't want them anymore.

I myself have a sports license for pistols, another one for shotguns, and one for rifles, these last two associated to "hunting". Yet, I do not hunt at all, and have no interest in it. However, that was the only way to get a shotgun or a rifle. So whenever they decide to close that "loophole", it will not be possible anymore.

Needless to say, despite all those licenses, using any of my legally acquired guns for self-defense, even in my own home, is absolutely verbotten. Should I smoke an intruder who broken into my home, beat me up and raped my family, for example, I´d end up in jail regardless.