There’s a stark contrast between gun ownership norms in the United States and in India. In the US, the Second Amendment, strong gun-rights culture, and relatively lenient federal and state laws permit many citizens to own firearms with fewer barriers. Private sales, open carry, and even relatively permissive regulations in some states make buying guns comparatively easier.

In India, by contrast, laws are far more restrictive. The Arms Act, 1959 and its Rules form the legal framework. A civilian must satisfy multiple rigorous requirements—demonstrating threat to personal safety, passing background checks, and getting licenses issued by district magistrates. Many types of firearms are classed as Prohibited Bore (PB), reserved for security forces or government use. Even non‐prohibited firearms are tightly regulated. Colonial legacy laws continue to influence the legal environment, with possession heavily controlled.

Beyond the paperwork and regulations, social norms and enforcement also play a role: in India, owning a gun carries social stigma or legal suspicion. In the US, gun ownership is often seen as a normal personal right or cultural practice.

In essence, one key divides legal permissibility, another culture and history. The US grants wider legal leeway; India imposes tighter legal, bureaucratic, and social constraints around civilian gun ownership.