Guam Firearms Directory

Guam's relationship with firearms begins with the Chamorro people, whose warrior culture predates European contact by thousands of years. When Magellan's expedition arrived in 1521, they encountered a society organized around combat skill and bravery. Spanish colonization beginning in 1668 introduced firearms to the island, and the Chamorro-Spanish Wars that followed demonstrated how quickly indigenous warriors adapted to the new technology.

Spanish rule lasted over 300 years, during which firearms were strictly controlled by colonial authorities. When the United States took possession of Guam in 1898 following the Spanish-American War, the island became a naval station, and its relationship with firearms shifted from colonial control to military integration.

The Japanese occupation from December 1941 to July 1944 left deep scars. Chamorros were stripped of all weapons, subjected to forced labor, and witnessed atrocities. The liberation by American forces in 1944 — fought village by village, hill by hill — is the defining event in modern Guamanian identity. Liberation Day (July 21) remains the island's most important holiday, and the memory of what happened when the population was defenseless has permanently shaped attitudes toward self-defense.

Post-war Guam became one of America's most strategically important Pacific outposts. Andersen Air Force Base in the north and Naval Base Guam in the south transformed the island into a military hub. This military presence brought mainland American gun culture to Guam in a way that blended with, rather than replaced, Chamorro traditions.

Today, Guam's firearms culture reflects this dual heritage. Military veterans and active-duty personnel maintain shooting skills and pass them to local communities. Chamorro hunting traditions — particularly boar hunting with dogs — continue in the southern hills. The Guam Territorial Shooting Federation organizes competitive events and represents the island in international shooting sports.

The island's firearms laws balance local governance with federal requirements. A Guam Firearms ID Card is required for all firearms purchases, and all firearms must be registered. But within that framework, gun ownership is common, particularly among families with military connections, and the right to bear arms is generally respected by local government.