Shinzo Abe's assassination: Why gun violence is so rare in Japan

• Japan's National Police Agency reported a total of 10 shootings in 2021. In contrast, there were roughly 45,000 firearm-related deaths last year in the U.S., according to the Gun Violence Archive.
• Since 2017, there have been 14 gun-related deaths in Japan, a country of 125 million people and the world's first to impose gun laws, according to the BBC.

Private citizens in Japan are not allowed to own handguns; only licensed hunters and target shooters can buy shotguns or air rifles, NPR reports.

• Though there are some exceptions for younger gun athletes, a person must be 18 to own a firearm.
• Japanese law also prohibits people from possessing a gun if they have declared bankruptcy, per NPR.
• A gun permit application process includes a gun safety test; a written test; background checks on family, work and criminal records; and a medical certificate signing off on the person's mental health, the Washington Post notes.
• Police have discretion to deny a license to anyone they reasonably suspect may present a danger to other people.

• As a result, not many people undertake the lengthy process, per CNN.

The big picture: Police have said the gun at the scene of the shooting appears to be homemade. Abe sustained two gunshot wounds and died shortly after 5 p.m. local time.

• The suspected shooter, 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, has been arrested, per NHK. The former Japanese Navy member reportedly wanted to kill Abe due to discontent unrelated to political differences.

Go deeper: World leaders express shock over assassination of Japan's Shinzo Abe