I live in Spain and that's how it works here. Weapons are not banned but limited in type and use. Iirc getting a sports or hunting license is relatively easy after a psych check and a course but you can only carry your weapon to and from your gun range/hunting place and it has to be unloaded and in a carry bag. Personal defense licenses are only granted in special cases, like those who have needed police escort. There are also professional licenses for cops, security, etc.
It doesn't change things a lot but it keeps weapons far from the common people's minds. You can still get a weapon if you really want to, and there's a black market too, but the access, control and punishment is much stronger.
