AK-47 legal status
Encyclopedia
Semi-automatic and automatic rifles, including the AK-47
, are often subject to special limitations on their use, purchase, import, and export. Based on the notion that such firearms are intended for military use rather than use for self-defense or hunting, legal limits are often placed on such weapons that limit their availability to semi-automatic models, limit the number of private individuals that may own them, and, in some cases, ban them altogether.
, the purchase of semi-automatic
rifles has been effectively banned since 1996 (and fully automatic firearms since the 1930s in most parts of the country), and therefore AK rifles, even in semi-automatic form, are not allowed (before 1996, semi-automatic versions of the AK were legal to own in a number of Australian states with the Valmet Hunter semi-automatic hunting rifle being a prime example). After the bans on certain pistols in 2003, pistol and straight pull versions of the AK were declared illegal to purchase or possess. The only way for an individual in Australia
to legally own a Kalashnikov rifle is to have a Firearm Collector's Licence and the firearm deactivated by having the rifle's action welded up and the barrel plugged or permanently restricted to blank-fire. Some states allow collectors to own working fully automatic variants and fire them at organized events.
since January 1, 1995, the AK-47
and its variants are prohibited under the Prohibited Weapons Order, No. 13. Exceptions to this are the Valmet Hunter, the Valmet Hunter Auto, and the Valmet M78 rifles which are based on the AK action. This order created a new class of prohibited firearms in Canada (class 12.5). This classification makes the AK and its variants ordinarily illegal for purchase, acquisition, or import. Individuals in Canada who possessed and registered those firearms before January 1, 1995 were "grandfathered" into this class and thus can continue to possess (and under some circumstances acquire) the AK-47 and its variants.
has enacted comprehensive national firearms laws which prevent the lawful ownership of AK-47's or variants thereof.
In the United Kingdom
AK-47 type rifles are treated the same as any other firearm of its type, a person must have an exceptional reason and apply to the Home Secretary to gain a permit to own a fully automatic AK-47. Prior to the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988
, which was brought into law following the Hungerford shooting (in which a legally owned, semi-automatic AK-47 was used), semi-automatic
centrefire rifles, including semi-automatic AK derivatives, were legal to own on a standard firearms licence. Today it is possible to lawfully own AK derivatives in the UK on a standard firearms licence provided they have been produced or modified to be "Manual Straight Pull" rifles which need to be manually cocked after each shot, this involves a modification to the weapon to essentially remove the gas system by permanently closing the gas port above the barrel (may also involve the removal of the gas piston). Semi-automatic AK derivatives that fire .22 rimfire ammunition are also legal to own on a standard firearms licence, there is no restriction on magazine capacity. Deactivated AK rifles are legal to buy and own without a licence.
In Norway
it is forbidden for civilians to possess any form of fully automatic firearm unless a special permit is issued. Similar laws are in force throughout most of Europe. Fully automatic weapons are either explicitly or effectively outlawed in most European countries, including Russia. Despite this, semi-automatic versions of the Kalashnikov series of rifles are still legal to own in many mainland European countries, including Russia (e.g. Saiga series rifles) and a number of former Soviet republics e.g. Ukraine.
, the possession of the AK-47
or any of its variants by civilians is outlawed. The Federal Law of Firearms and Explosives in its Article 11 prohibits the civilian possession of this category of weapon and cartridge (lawful use of a military-style firearm using a military caliber intended round is restricted to the Mexican Army), However, the AK-47
is well known in the country as the Cuerno de Chivo (Spanish
for "ram's horn"), in clear reference to the curved form of the magazine.
gun laws do not treat the AK-47
differently from any other firearm. Full-auto versions are prohibited, except for collectors with a special "C" licence endorsement, and more stringent security.
Firearms held on a C licence are not permitted to be fired. Semi-automatic
versions are legal, but generally qualify as a Military-Style Semi-Automatic
and require a special "E" licence endorsement. Again, the security requirements of an E licence are more stringent, but the firearm may be used.
(NFA) of 1934. The Gun Control Act of 1968
ceased the import of foreign-manufactured fully automatic firearms for civilian sales and possession.
In 1986, an amendment called the Firearm Owners Protection Act
stopped all future domestic manufacturing of fully automatic weapons for civilian use (non-military/non-LEO). Fully automatic weapons are still manufactured in the US for military and law enforcement use. However, automatic firearms manufactured domestically prior to 1986 or imported prior to 1968 may be transferred between civilians in accordance with federal, state and local law. A number of Soviet and PRC
rifles were brought into the U.S. during the mid-1960s, when returning Vietnam
veterans brought them home after capture from enemy troops. Some of these were properly registered during the amnesty period under the 1968 NFA law.
Semi-automatic AK-type rifles are legal and obtainable in most states of the United States, however they may or may not be legal to own or possess depending on state, county, city, and local laws and ordinances. Persons interested in owning one of these types of rifles are strongly encouraged to research the laws where they reside or plan to keep and use the weapon.
The 1989 Semi-Automatic Rifle Import Ban (18 USC 925(d)(3)) and the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban
specifically banned the AK-47 by name, and many other such weapons (including obvious clones of AK-47's) manufactured after 1994 had to be modified to the letter of the law (removal of barrel threading, bayonet lug and folding stock). This ban expired on September 13, 2004, as part of the law's sunset provision, making all domestically produced semi-automatic AK-47s legal. The import of AK pattern rifles with certain features (i.e. WASR rifles legally are imported with the low capacity single stack magazine) is still banned. However, certain states such as California
, New York
, New Jersey
and Massachusetts
have specific restrictions which effectively ban new purchases of many semi-automatic rifles, with some mentioning AK-pattern firearms by name.
Semi-auto variants of AK rifles fall into the general category of "rifled hunting firearm" under current Gun Legislation, and could be obtained with the proper license. Getting such license require lawfully possessing a shotgun-type firearm for at least 5 years and a hunting permit as well as payment of the license fee. Other restrictions are on magazine capacity and folding stocks- if the rifle come with the folding stock technical measures are to be applied to ensure it couldn't fire while stock folded.
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
, are often subject to special limitations on their use, purchase, import, and export. Based on the notion that such firearms are intended for military use rather than use for self-defense or hunting, legal limits are often placed on such weapons that limit their availability to semi-automatic models, limit the number of private individuals that may own them, and, in some cases, ban them altogether.
In Australia
In AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the purchase of semi-automatic
Semi-automatic rifle
A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that fires a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled, automatically ejects the spent cartridge, chambers a fresh cartridge from its magazine, and is immediately ready to fire another shot...
rifles has been effectively banned since 1996 (and fully automatic firearms since the 1930s in most parts of the country), and therefore AK rifles, even in semi-automatic form, are not allowed (before 1996, semi-automatic versions of the AK were legal to own in a number of Australian states with the Valmet Hunter semi-automatic hunting rifle being a prime example). After the bans on certain pistols in 2003, pistol and straight pull versions of the AK were declared illegal to purchase or possess. The only way for an individual in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
to legally own a Kalashnikov rifle is to have a Firearm Collector's Licence and the firearm deactivated by having the rifle's action welded up and the barrel plugged or permanently restricted to blank-fire. Some states allow collectors to own working fully automatic variants and fire them at organized events.
In Canada
In CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
since January 1, 1995, the AK-47
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
and its variants are prohibited under the Prohibited Weapons Order, No. 13. Exceptions to this are the Valmet Hunter, the Valmet Hunter Auto, and the Valmet M78 rifles which are based on the AK action. This order created a new class of prohibited firearms in Canada (class 12.5). This classification makes the AK and its variants ordinarily illegal for purchase, acquisition, or import. Individuals in Canada who possessed and registered those firearms before January 1, 1995 were "grandfathered" into this class and thus can continue to possess (and under some circumstances acquire) the AK-47 and its variants.
In Europe
Much of Western EuropeWestern Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
has enacted comprehensive national firearms laws which prevent the lawful ownership of AK-47's or variants thereof.
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
AK-47 type rifles are treated the same as any other firearm of its type, a person must have an exceptional reason and apply to the Home Secretary to gain a permit to own a fully automatic AK-47. Prior to the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988
Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988
The Firearms Act 1988 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which is still in force. The Act, as amended, tightens controls on the possession of firearms, and applies throughout the whole of the United Kingdom except for Northern Ireland...
, which was brought into law following the Hungerford shooting (in which a legally owned, semi-automatic AK-47 was used), semi-automatic
Semi-automatic rifle
A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that fires a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled, automatically ejects the spent cartridge, chambers a fresh cartridge from its magazine, and is immediately ready to fire another shot...
centrefire rifles, including semi-automatic AK derivatives, were legal to own on a standard firearms licence. Today it is possible to lawfully own AK derivatives in the UK on a standard firearms licence provided they have been produced or modified to be "Manual Straight Pull" rifles which need to be manually cocked after each shot, this involves a modification to the weapon to essentially remove the gas system by permanently closing the gas port above the barrel (may also involve the removal of the gas piston). Semi-automatic AK derivatives that fire .22 rimfire ammunition are also legal to own on a standard firearms licence, there is no restriction on magazine capacity. Deactivated AK rifles are legal to buy and own without a licence.
In Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
it is forbidden for civilians to possess any form of fully automatic firearm unless a special permit is issued. Similar laws are in force throughout most of Europe. Fully automatic weapons are either explicitly or effectively outlawed in most European countries, including Russia. Despite this, semi-automatic versions of the Kalashnikov series of rifles are still legal to own in many mainland European countries, including Russia (e.g. Saiga series rifles) and a number of former Soviet republics e.g. Ukraine.
In Mexico
In MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, the possession of the AK-47
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
or any of its variants by civilians is outlawed. The Federal Law of Firearms and Explosives in its Article 11 prohibits the civilian possession of this category of weapon and cartridge (lawful use of a military-style firearm using a military caliber intended round is restricted to the Mexican Army), However, the AK-47
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
is well known in the country as the Cuerno de Chivo (Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
for "ram's horn"), in clear reference to the curved form of the magazine.
In New Zealand
New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
gun laws do not treat the AK-47
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
differently from any other firearm. Full-auto versions are prohibited, except for collectors with a special "C" licence endorsement, and more stringent security.
Firearms held on a C licence are not permitted to be fired. Semi-automatic
Semi-automatic rifle
A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that fires a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled, automatically ejects the spent cartridge, chambers a fresh cartridge from its magazine, and is immediately ready to fire another shot...
versions are legal, but generally qualify as a Military-Style Semi-Automatic
Military-Style Semi-Automatic
Military-style semi-automatic is a term in New Zealand firearms law. The category was introduced after the 1990 Aramoana massacre, in which firearms fitting this definition were used....
and require a special "E" licence endorsement. Again, the security requirements of an E licence are more stringent, but the firearm may be used.
In the United States
Private ownership of fully automatic AK-pattern rifles was regulated by the National Firearms ActNational Firearms Act
The National Firearms Act , 73rd Congress, Sess. 2, ch. 757, , enacted on June 26, 1934, currently codified as amended as , is an Act of Congress that, in general, imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms. The...
(NFA) of 1934. The Gun Control Act of 1968
Gun Control Act of 1968
The Gun Control Act of 1968 , by president Lyndon Johnson, is a federal law in the United States that broadly regulates the firearms industry and firearms owners...
ceased the import of foreign-manufactured fully automatic firearms for civilian sales and possession.
In 1986, an amendment called the Firearm Owners Protection Act
Firearm Owners Protection Act
The Firearm Owners' Protection Act , , codified at et seq., is a United States federal law that revised many statutes in the Gun Control Act of 1968.-Federal Firearms License regulatory reform:...
stopped all future domestic manufacturing of fully automatic weapons for civilian use (non-military/non-LEO). Fully automatic weapons are still manufactured in the US for military and law enforcement use. However, automatic firearms manufactured domestically prior to 1986 or imported prior to 1968 may be transferred between civilians in accordance with federal, state and local law. A number of Soviet and PRC
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
rifles were brought into the U.S. during the mid-1960s, when returning Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
veterans brought them home after capture from enemy troops. Some of these were properly registered during the amnesty period under the 1968 NFA law.
Semi-automatic AK-type rifles are legal and obtainable in most states of the United States, however they may or may not be legal to own or possess depending on state, county, city, and local laws and ordinances. Persons interested in owning one of these types of rifles are strongly encouraged to research the laws where they reside or plan to keep and use the weapon.
The 1989 Semi-Automatic Rifle Import Ban (18 USC 925(d)(3)) and the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban
Federal assault weapons ban
The Federal Assault Weapons Ban was a subtitle of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, a federal law in the United States that included a prohibition on the manufacture for civilian use of certain semi-automatic firearms, so called "assault weapons"...
specifically banned the AK-47 by name, and many other such weapons (including obvious clones of AK-47's) manufactured after 1994 had to be modified to the letter of the law (removal of barrel threading, bayonet lug and folding stock). This ban expired on September 13, 2004, as part of the law's sunset provision, making all domestically produced semi-automatic AK-47s legal. The import of AK pattern rifles with certain features (i.e. WASR rifles legally are imported with the low capacity single stack magazine) is still banned. However, certain states such as California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
have specific restrictions which effectively ban new purchases of many semi-automatic rifles, with some mentioning AK-pattern firearms by name.
In Russia
Private ownership of full-auto AK variants is strictly prohibited by the current legislation, and acquiring, dealing or storing such weapons constitute a felony under section 222 of the Penal Code of Russian Federation.Semi-auto variants of AK rifles fall into the general category of "rifled hunting firearm" under current Gun Legislation, and could be obtained with the proper license. Getting such license require lawfully possessing a shotgun-type firearm for at least 5 years and a hunting permit as well as payment of the license fee. Other restrictions are on magazine capacity and folding stocks- if the rifle come with the folding stock technical measures are to be applied to ensure it couldn't fire while stock folded.