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IWantOut

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Welcome to r/IWantOut, Reddit's expat subreddit. Please read the sidebar for general advice and helpful links.

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submitted by Toddburgler
Im a 27 year old male who has a high school degree, done some general studies in college, and has spent the last 5 years working in aerospace part manufacturing quality control. My wife is 22, same schooling and is currently a home maker. We both have lived in the U.S. our whole lives, speak only English and currently live in Georgia. We both like the idea of seeing more of the world and are both concerned with the countries future, for many reasons including the current presidential election. And we have started considering moving elsewhere. We don't have any kids and are fine living far away from family. But most every country we've looked into has strict requirements on gun ownership. I know it's a hot topic but owning a gun has always made us both feel safer. Knowing my wife is home with a pistol where she could easily get to it if someone tried to break in keeps me from worrying about her while I'm away at work. However I recognize there may be other options we're not familiar with. The advice I'm looking for is if anyone knows of a safe country we could consider that would allow us to own a fire arm for self defense like we do here. Or if anyone can tell me something that would make us feel safer living someplace without a gun. I've mentioned some political issues that can get some people quite angry but I'm really just looking for advice and would rather not debate which view on these issues is right.
all 16 comments
[–]striketheviol 21 points22 points23 points  (0 children)
The bigger problem is your lack of skills. Without a degree in a demanded field, your own business which is location independent, or years of IT experience, your only viable option is study abroad, which you wouldn't be able to pay your way through. Go back to school, it will help whether you leave or not. You won't be able to get a work visa without something more to offer.
[–]aerored82 19 points20 points21 points  (0 children)
The biggest problem is you want to export your values to a foreign country. Try living in a different state first. Seriously. Gun ownership is waaay down the priority list in other countries for a reason. I'd be more concerned with road accident statistics, health care quality, education standards, etc. It's a lifestyle thing. Do you want to go to a place you NEED a gun? Or one where your kids can walk the park in safety?
For yourself, own a gun, I don't care. But if you want to survive, you better be fit and healthy. I recall a study that showed defense against a knife attack is more about your reaction time and ability to move and physically defend yourself. The use of a gun as a defensive tool came 4th in the order of importance. I.e. in most cases, someone can stab you before you get anywhere near your gun. Just sayin.
[–]MarburgDEUS-DE-CZ 12 points13 points14 points  (0 children)
Where do you live that you need a gun? In all the places I ever lived in America i never felt the slightest need or desire to own one to protect me. I have never even felt the least bit in danger. Maybe you just need to move areas you are in now.
[–]TheAm3rican 12 points13 points14 points  (6 children)
If you are considering Europe, there should be no reason why you would need a gun for self defense. Europe is not like the United States where thugs break into your house while you are at home and then shoot you for fun. I think aerored82 nailed it in the head when he said
The biggest problem is you want to export your values to a foreign country
You have to understand that if your moving elsewhere you have to be open to their way of life. That's how it works. I hope it doesn't seem like I am being harsh, the only country I can recommend if you want a gun is Switzerland. However guns are a pretty hot issue there as well. Also note what striketheviol said in the comments, your lack of skills will make a move abroad very difficult. If you were open to going back to school and studying in a Foreign country that would probably be doable, but if this is something you want to do, the gun is more than likely going to have to stay stateside.
[–]LupineChemistUS -> ES 1 point2 points3 points  (5 children)
I mean, Ukraine would count as a place with lots of guns and in Europe.
[–]TheAm3rican 1 point2 points3 points  (4 children)
I think if OP is worried about his wife at home in the U.S. Without a gun, chances are he would worry more in a war torn country.
[–]LupineChemistUS -> ES 1 point2 points3 points  (1 child)
Agreed.
Just saying that it meets the criteria. Also the entire country isn't at war.
Serbia and Bosnia also allow personal gun ownership, though maybe not conceal carry.
Within the EU, Czech Republic is probably the best bet.
[–]TheAm3rican 0 points1 point2 points  (0 children)
From what I hear Czech Republic is more lenient than most EU member countries for immigration. So he has that going for him.
[–]michalfabik -2 points-1 points0 points  (1 child)
For most practical purposes, Ukraine is nowhere near "war torn". The war operations in Ukraine are at a stalemate and centralized on about 2 % of the territory.
(That is not to say that wanting to move there because they allow gun ownership isn't bonkers.)
[–]TheAm3rican 0 points1 point2 points  (0 children)
Trust me I didn't mean that all of Ukraine was in a war. Just the area of Chrimea. However, I think for someone so concerned about having a gun for safety in the U.S, the last thing they would want, would be to move to a country that has a war going on within its borders. And yes specifically moving to a country for the sole purpose of gun ownership is a bit ridiculous.
[–]phyneasUS->IE 4 points5 points6 points  (0 children)
I was a gun owner and was (technically still am, I guess) a CCW holder in the US before moving to Ireland. I miss shooting guns for fun, true enough (though I could maybe get into it again over here eventually, once I've been here long enough that the Garda are OK with letting me own a sport pistol), but I don't really feel the need to own a gun for protection here. The crime rate, particularly violent crime, is significantly lower here than in Atlanta. Hell, even the beat cops here don't carry firearms. It was a little odd at first not having a gun in the nightstand and not carrying when I went out, but I got used to it quickly enough.
[–]SpyCake1CCCP > US > AU (2018) 9 points10 points11 points  (0 children)
Australia and Canada both allow private ownership of firearms.
Politics aside, other people have nailed it - would you rather live where you NEED a gun, or where you don't need one. Hell, I live in Chicago (and if you believe cable news, we shoot each other for fun here) and don't own nor have any interest in getting one. Having one would not a safer home make, either. I understand being from the south it might be a cultural thing too - so maybe you just don't know life without one.
And of course - your lack of education, and your wife's lack of education and work experience are the biggest hurdles. The easiest way to get a visa in your case is a student visa, but then you wouldn't be able to fund the program.
[–]regular14u 3 points4 points5 points  (0 children)
Your first question should be what skills do you have to offer a new country that are in shortage locally, not if you can own a firearm.
Neither of you have college degrees. As a "homemaker" your wife has no needed skills to offer and your skills are either not needed or can be sourced from the local population. IMO, I'd focus on being comfortable where you are.
[–]hpchef 4 points5 points6 points  (0 children)
If im honest, it sounds like you're scared to face the outside world without a gun. In which case, you should probably stay put and in familiar surrounding.
[–]Citizen_of_H 6 points7 points8 points  (0 children)
Or if anyone can tell me something that would make us feel safer living someplace without a gun.
The police kills more innocent people in the US than criminals do in other countries
[–]LupineChemistUS -> ES 0 points1 point2 points  (0 children)
Carrying in public is going to be right out in most of Europe but you might want to look into the Czech Republic. Having handguns at home is generally allowed there, though not as easy as the US.
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