'Gun Control' in Iran was Failing
Even Before Our First Strike

Iran had some of the strictest and most repressive gun-control laws in the world, under the Ayatollah.

Since they lack a constitution, Iranians have no right to own firearms.

Civilian firearms were regulated by the legislature, which took orders directly and indirectly from the Ayatollah.

For an Iranian civilian to legally purchase a handgun, a license was needed from the Iranian government. Officially, the process included a permit from local police, a criminal records check, military service checks, a psychological exam and successful completion of state safety training and testing. It was estimated that only 3% to 7% of all applications were approved.

Only this small number of licensees were legally allowed to purchase and possess ammunition.

In May 2025, longtime Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered even harsher criminal sentences for unlicensed firearm possession and for the use of digital platforms to arrange private sales. …