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Algeria — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

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StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms

The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Algeria is 1,900,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Algeria is 7.62 firearms per 100 people

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Algeria ranked at No. 371

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Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 179 countries, Algeria ranked at No. 782

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Algeria are reported to have 797,5003 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Algeria are reported to have 71,4004 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

Total Number of Gun Deaths

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Rate of All Gun Deaths per 100,000 People

ChartIn Algeria, the annual rate of all gun deaths per 100,000 population is

2008: 4.85
2007: 3.6
2004: 2.0
2003: 2.0

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Algeria, annual homicides by any means total

2008: 5165
2006: 2146
2005: 204
2004: 4497
2003: 650

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Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)

ChartIn Algeria, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2008: 1.5 or 7.25
2007: 1.3
2006: 0.646 5
2005: 0.62
2004: 1.437 5
2003: 2.04

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn Algeria, annual firearm homicides total

2008: 205
2007:14
2004: 97 5
2003: 13

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Algeria, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2008: 0.15
2007: 0.0
2004: 0.037
2003: 0.04

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Algeria, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 8

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Algeria is reported to be US$5499 (2008)

Import Control

In Algeria, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 10

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Algeria is reported to be US$2,679,7689 (2009)

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Market Cost of an AK-47 Assault Rifle (US$)

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Algeria is reported to be US$20011

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Algeria, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law10

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Algeria is the Executive Decree No 98-96 of March 18, 1998, amended and completed by the Executive Decree No 04-304 of September 13, 2004, on the implementation of the Ordinance No 97-06 of January 21, 1997, relating to weapons of war, firearms and ammunition12

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Algeria, the law requires13 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

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Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In Algeria, licensed firearm dealers are required13 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

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Gun Manufacturer Record Keeping

In Algeria, licensed gun makers are required13 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Algeria, State agencies are required13 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Algeria, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law12

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Firearm Tracing

In Algeria, state authorities carry out8 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In Algeria, state authorities employ14 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

League of Arab States

As a member of the League of Arab States, Algeria adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200215

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Algeria adopted an African Common Position to take to the Conference to Review the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), held in June 200616

United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

At the resumption of the most recent session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UNCCPCJ), a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council mandated to promote action to prevent national and transnational crime, Algeria was listed as an elected member for a three-year term of office17

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Algeria voted to begin18 negotiations towards a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty. In this vote, 151 UN Member States supported talks on an ATT, with 1 voting against, 20 abstentions, and 20 non-votes

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United Nations Firearms Protocol

The United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition has been signed and ratified19 by Algeria

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Algeria committed to a consensus decision of the United Nations to adopt, support and implement the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects20

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Algeria has submitted one or more national reports21 10 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Algeria, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated22 10

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Algeria, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated10

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been donated10 by Algeria to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Algeria has not declared23 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Algeria has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196224

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list25 Algeria as a Participating State
Last Updated on 9 May 2012

Short References

1.

Karp, Aaron.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q4)Full Citation

2.

Karp, Aaron.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q5)Full Citation

3.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q6)Full Citation

4.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q7)Full Citation

5.

UNODC.2011.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Algeria.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6228)Full Citation

6.

UNODC.2008.‘Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed.’ Tenth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2005-2006).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q10)Full Citation

7.

UNODC.2006.‘Reported Overall Homicide Numbers and Rates per 100,000 Population for 64 Countries, 2003-04.’ Ninth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2003 – 2004).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q9)Full Citation

8.

Algeria.2010.‘Tracing (Traçage).’ National Report of Algeria on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4592)Full Citation

9.

Marsh, Nicholas.2011.‘Database of Authorised Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons.’ NISAT Small Arms Trade Database.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 June. (Q16)Full Citation

10.

UNODA.2009.‘PoA-ISS Country Profiles.’ UN small arms Programme of Action (UNPoA) – Implementation Support System.New York:United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs,29 October. (Q1309)Full Citation

11.

World Bank.2007.‘Available Kalashnikov Prices for Specific Countries and Periods.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q3)Full Citation

12.

Algeria.2010.‘Marking (Marquage).’ National Report of Algeria on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4590)Full Citation

13.

Algeria.2010.‘Registration (Enregistrement).’ National Report of Algeria on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4591)Full Citation

14.

Algeria.2010.‘Integrated Ballistics Identification System (Système Intégré d'Identification Balistique).’ National Report of Algeria on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4593)Full Citation

15.

League of Arab States / UNODA.2002.‘Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Council of the League of Arab States / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,1 January. (Q3215)Full Citation

16.

African Union / UNODA.2005.‘Windhoek Common Position.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:African Union / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 December. (Q3216)Full Citation

17.

UNCCPCJ / UNODC.1991.‘Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.’ United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.Vienna:United Nations Economic and Social Council / United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,1 January. (Q3222)Full Citation

18.

UNGA.2009.‘Towards an Arms Trade Treaty: Establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms.’ UN Resolution A/RES/64/48.New York:United Nations General Assembly,2 June. (Q1886)Full Citation

19.

UNGA.2001.‘United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition.’ UN General Assembly Resolution 55/255.New York:UN General Assembly,31 May. (Q17)Full Citation

20.

UNGA.2001.‘Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.’ United Nations General Assembly.New York:UN General Assembly,20 July. (Q18)Full Citation

21.

Cattaneo, Silvia and Sarah Parker.2008.‘Reporting, NPCs and NCAs, 2002 to 2008.’ Implementing the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons: Analysis of the National Reports submitted by States from 2002 to 2008.Geneva:United Nations Development Programme,1 November. (Q20)Full Citation

22.

IANSA.2006.‘Reviewing Action on Small Arms 2006: Assessing the first five years of the UN Programme of Action.’ Biting the Bullet 'Red Book' 2006.New York:International Action Network on Small Arms and the Biting the Bullet project,26 June. (Q166)Full Citation

23.

UNODA.2011.‘National Reports on Small Arms Exports.’ United Nations Register of Conventional Arms - The Global Reported Arms Trade.New York:United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,21 October. (Q14)Full Citation

24.

UN.2009.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York:United Nations General Assembly,11 May. (Q290)Full Citation

25.

Wassenaar Arrangement.1996.‘Introduction: Participating States.’ Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies.Vienna:Wassenaar Secretariat,12 July. (Q19)Full Citation