How strict are gun laws in Ethiopia?
Restrictive
Handguns are licensed only at the authorities' discretion, or only to club members or existing owners.
Ethiopia is one of 87 countries classified “Restrictive” for civilian gun ownership — 43% 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
- Djibouti
- Restrictive Firearms are issued at the authority's discretion with restricted reasons, indicating a restrictive regime.
- Eritrea
- Highly restrictive / banned Civilians cannot obtain handguns.
- Somalia
- Highly restrictive / banned Civilians cannot obtain handguns.
- Kenya
- Restrictive Handguns are licensed only at the authorities' discretion, or only to club members or existing owners.
- South Sudan
- Permissive Handguns are permitless and concealed carry is unregulated, making self-defense sufficient for acquisition.
- Yemen
- Permissive Handguns are licensed as of right, and personal protection is an accepted reason on its own.
Other laws in Ethiopia
- Death Penalty
- Retained / in use
- Military Conscription
- No conscription
Every law in Ethiopia → · 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.