Gunlaws definately differ from country to country in europe.
Switzerland for instance is the number two in the world when it comes to gunownership % if i'm not mistaking.
Laws are a fair amount less strict an restrictive there and there is a policy that people who have done military service get the choice to take their service rifle and handgun home, with some munition sealed in a can. (This with goal for the militia of swiss inhabitants and selfdefence against foreign forces)
The sportshooting associations are also very widely accepted and active there.
This is in contrast to most european countries, where laws are often much stricter and ownership is almost always related to sports shooting, and not with the intent of defensive use. (The UK has a terribly strict regulation.)
Getting a gunpermit and a gun itself is in most cases a bureaucratic process and guns are recorded with their serial numbers.
It's for instance not allowed in the netherlands to carry a gun with you in any other situation then going to the gunshop/smith/range and home. Getting caught with your gun on your way to a friends place, supermarket, etc. will probably result in a warning or loss of the permit.
Even if you get robbed on your way to the range, using it in defence will probably get you into big trouble.
At home, it must all be kept in a save, munition in a seperate compartment.
Additonally, the local lawenforcement department involved in guncontrol is allowed to make surprise visits to your home to check your gunsave and guns all check out and everything is in order. (not a housesearch, just the gunsave and guns) This doesn't happen often though.
Personally I dont mind some control on the guns, and there being a thorough background check on people applying for a permit. Some guns that are illegal to keep I can understand (full auto guns), but some rules often sound a bit silly (standard m4 shoulderstock is banned: it falls in the category of collapsible stock...).
If you are interested i can get into much further detail regarding dutch laws, (just ask away if you want)
I think one of the things that this results in is that gunowners here are generally good shooters with a strong sense of safety and very competent gunhandling and knowledge.
People that own guns here really love the sport and the tools.
The thing I miss most is beeing able to just go somewhere and have a fungun shoot somewhere in the woods. Sitting on that enclosed dusty range every time gets boring sometimes...