How strict are gun laws in the Vatican City?
Highly restrictive / banned
Civilians cannot obtain handguns.
The Vatican City is one of 51 countries classified “Highly restrictive / banned” for civilian gun ownership — 25% of the 202 with data. (Also searched as firearm laws.)
Source
- Last checked
- 17 September 2026
- How it was classified
- Read directly from the source’s own table, without interpretation.
Nearby countries
- Italy
- Licensed / moderate Handguns are obtainable for home defense and sport, but concealed carry requires proof of threat, fitting moderate.
- San Marino
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- Monaco
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- Croatia
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- Slovenia
- Restrictive Slovenia requires proof of threat to life for personal protection and uses may-issue permits for long guns.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Restrictive Handguns are licensed only at the authorities' discretion, or only to club members or existing owners.
Other laws in Vatican City
- Death Penalty
- Fully abolished
Every law in the Vatican City → · How strict are gun laws around the world? →
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.