Editing Overview of gun laws by nation (section)

==Firearms license==

[[File:Forside våpenkort.jpg|thumb|right|A Norwegian firearms license for a [[.44 Magnum]] [[revolver]], with name and address of the owner, as well as firearm type, brand, caliber and serial number]]

[[File:Kleiner Waffenschein Außen.JPG|thumb|right|A German firearms license]]

A '''firearms license''' (also known as a '''gun license'''; or '''licence''' in [[British English]]) is a [[license]] or permit issued by a government authority (typically by the [[police]]) of a jurisdiction, that allows the licensee to buy, own, possess, or carry a [[firearm]], often subject to a number of conditions or restrictions, especially with regard to storage requirements or the completion of a firearms safety course, as well as background checks, etc. Firearms licenses are not required in all jurisdictions. Additionally, some countries or states may require by law a "permit-to-purchase" in order to buy handguns or firearms.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21739193-washington-dithers-and-argues-some-states-show-way-what-works-reduce-gun-deaths|title=What works to reduce gun deaths|newspaper=The Economist|language=en|access-date=2018-05-21|archive-date=15 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515030203/https://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21739193-washington-dithers-and-argues-some-states-show-way-what-works-reduce-gun-deaths|url-status=live}}</ref> A licence may also be required to buy ammunition.

The permit or license scope varies according to what firearm(s) or activity(s) it allows the holder to legally do with the firearm. Some jurisdictions may require a firearm license to own a firearm, to engage in hunting, target shooting or collecting, or to carry a concealed firearm, or operate a business (such as being a gun dealer or a gunsmith). Some jurisdictions may require separate licenses for rifles, shotguns or handguns.

The requirement to have a firearm license is usually in addition to a requirement for [[Gun registry|firearm registration]]. For example, [[gun laws in Australia]] require firearms to be registered by [[Gun serial number|serial number]] to the owner, who holds a firearm licence.