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American Samoa — 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 American Samoa is 2501

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in American Samoa is 0.41 firearms per 100 people

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Number of Licensed Firearm Owners

The number of licensed gun owners in American Samoa is reported to be 2501

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Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 Population

The rate of licensed firearm owners in American Samoa is 0.41 per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in American Samoa is reported to be 2501

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in American Samoa is 0.41

Government Guns

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Routine Arming of Police

In American Samoa, police officers on routine patrol do not carry a firearm2

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in American Samoa are reported to have 583 firearms

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In American Samoa, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is prohibited4

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from American Samoa is reported to be US$67,1145 (2008)

Import Control

In American Samoa, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 6 7

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in American Samoa is negligible8

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In American Samoa, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law9

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in American Samoa do not include9 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in American Samoa is categorised as restrictive10

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in American Samoa is the Chapter 42 of the Criminal Justice Code, 197911

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in American Samoa are regulated by the Commissioner of Public Safety, and the Attorney General12 13 14 7

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Right to Possess Firearms

In American Samoa, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law9

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In American Samoa, civilians are not allowed to possess any firearm other than 12, 16, 20 and 410 gauge shotguns and 22 caliber rifles12 4 14

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In American Samoa, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited4 12

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In American Samoa, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is prohibited12

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Regulation of Handguns

In American Samoa, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited12

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Gun Owner Licensing

In American Samoa, only licensed gun owners12 6 13 15 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Licence

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in American Samoa are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, pest control16

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in American Samoa is 18 years17

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in American Samoa must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental, and addiction12 18 19 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In American Samoa, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are required16

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in American Samoa does not stipulate9 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In American Samoa, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required9 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In American Samoa gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 1 year13

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Licensing Records

In American Samoa, authorities maintain a record20 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in American Samoa are permitted to possess any number of firearms9

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in American Samoa is permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition9

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In American Samoa, the law requires20 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 American Samoa, licensed firearm dealers are not required9 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In American Samoa, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited14

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In American Samoa, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful, except in some approved cases of transferring 'Grandfathered' firearms14 21

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Limit on Gun Dealer Sales

In American Samoa, the number and type of firearms which can be sold by a licensed gun dealer to a single gun owner is limited to the number stated on the issued licence6 21

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In American Samoa, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined9

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In American Samoa, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated9 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in American Samoa do not include9 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Dealer

Firearm regulations in American Samoa do not include9 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in American Samoa do not include9 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In American Samoa, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law22

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Firearm Tracing

In American Samoa, state authorities do not carry out9 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In American Samoa, state authorities do not employ9 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In American Samoa, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is prohibited23

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In American Samoa, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is prohibited23

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Gun Free Zones

In American Samoa, private guns are prohibited in churches and places of worship, schools, any election district on election day, any government building, or any place used for lawful public assemblage23

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In American Samoa, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is a 'Class C' felony19

Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In American Samoa, it is not state policy24 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

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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 not been signed25 by American Samoa

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In American Samoa, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated26

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In American Samoa, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated26

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of American Samoa submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent26

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, American Samoa is not a Member State of the United Nations

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list27 American Samoa as a Participating State
Last Updated on 28 May 2011

Short References

1.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Civilian Firearm Ownership in Pacific Nations, 2002.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q364)Full Citation

2.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Stockpiles and Trafficking in the Pacific: Police Inventories.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q145)Full Citation

3.

Karp, Aaron.2003.‘Fewer Blanks: Global Firearm Stockpiles: Firearms of the Pacific.’ Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q366)Full Citation

4.

American Samoa.1978.‘Prohibited Weapons.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978) – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q373)Full Citation

5.

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

6.

American Samoa.1978.‘Licensing Regulations.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978) – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q368)Full Citation

7.

American Samoa.1978.‘Tranfer Regulations.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978) – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q375)Full Citation

8.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Stockpiles and Trafficking in the Pacific: The illicit small arms trade.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q148)Full Citation

9.

American Samoa.1978.‘Weapons.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978), Title 46, Chapter 42 – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q4877)Full Citation

10.

Newton, George D and Franklin E Zimring.1969.‘Firearm Licensing: Permissive v Restrictive.’ Firearms & Violence in American Life: A Staff Report submitted to the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence.Washington, DC:US Government Printing Office,1 January. (Q22)Full Citation

11.

American Samoa.1978.‘Weapons.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978), Title 46, Chapter 42 – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q4876)Full Citation

12.

American Samoa.1978.‘Licensing Regulations.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978) – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q367)Full Citation

13.

American Samoa.1978.‘Licensing Regulations.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978) – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q372)Full Citation

14.

American Samoa.1978.‘Tranfer Regulations.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978) – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q376)Full Citation

15.

American Samoa.1978.‘License-Possession Required When Carrying Arms.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978), Title 46, Chapter 42 – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q4873)Full Citation

16.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Genuine Reason: A Snapshot of Pacific Definitions – American Samoa.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q369)Full Citation

17.

American Samoa.1978.‘Unlawful Transfer of Weapons.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978) – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q381)Full Citation

18.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Pacific Small Arms Legislation: Domestic and regional issues.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q370)Full Citation

19.

American Samoa.1978.‘Unlawful Possession of Firearms.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978) – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q378)Full Citation

20.

American Samoa.1978.‘Marking of Arms for Identification.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978) – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q377)Full Citation

21.

American Samoa.1978.‘Sales to Persons Without Licenses – Grandfather Clause.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978), Title 46, Chapter 42 – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q4874)Full Citation

22.

American Samoa.1978.‘Possession of a Defaced Firearm.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978), Title 46, Chapter 42 – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q4872)Full Citation

23.

American Samoa.1978.‘Unlawful Use of Weapons.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978) – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q374)Full Citation

24.

American Samoa.1978.‘Violation – Penalty.’ Criminal Justice Code (1978), Title 46, Chapter 42 – Weapons.Pago Pago:Legislative Assembly,13 December. (Q4875)Full Citation

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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