A pan-European firearms lobby, Firearms United, asserts that looser gun laws are essential for personal freedom and deterrence against crime, with members claiming to represent over 100 million law-abiding gun owners across Europe. Andrea Favaro, a UK-based advocate, argues that the Czech Republic’s more lenient firearm regulations serve as a model for other European nations, where he believes allowing responsible civilians to carry firearms can make societies safer.
However, experts challenge this perspective, asserting that increased gun ownership does not lead to reduced crime rates and may, in fact, increase community dangers. Dr. Brian Wood from the International Action Network on Small Arms highlights studies linking higher gun availability to greater homicide rates, provoking a debate over the real implications of firearms in a society where safety and freedom are intertwined.
Read full story at www.euronews.com