Anyone trying to shoot and own a gun in Japan has to apply for a permit, which starts with attending a class on gun safety and passing a written test.

It’s a long process involving background checks on family, work and criminal records, and requiring a medical certificate that attests to mental health. Police look into details like potential alcohol problems or whether the hopeful gun owner has a history of domestic or neighborhood disputes.

An officer will visit to inspect the locker that is legally required to store the gun and should be affixed to a wall. It must have three locks on the outside, the rules say. There’s also a full-day training course on safe shooting and practicing techniques.

In 2020, there were nearly 192,000 licensed firearms, largely shotguns and hunting rifles, according to the National Police Agency, in a country with a population estimated at around 125 million.