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Armenia — 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 Armenia is 380,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Armenia is 12.51 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, Armenia ranked at No. 942

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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 178 countries, Armenia ranked at No. 521

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Armenia are reported to have 1,223,3953 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Armenia are reported to have 16,8004 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Armenia, annual homicides by any means total

2009: 835
2008: 78
2007: 71
2006: 75
2005: 55
2004: 75
2003: 66
2002: 69
2001: 88
2000: 91
1999: 90
1998: 93
1997: 100
1996: 114
1995: 116

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

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

2009: 2.75
2008: 2.55 6
2007: 2.3
2006: 2.45
2005: 1.8
2004: 2.4
2003: 2.2
2002: 2.3
2001: 2.9
2000: 3.0
1999: 2.9
1998: 3.0
1997: 3.2
1996: 3.6
1995: 3.6

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Armenia, annual firearm homicides total

2009: 95
2008: 14
2007: 17
2006: 16
2005: 8
2004: 19

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2009: 0.35
2008: 0.5
2007: 0.6
2006: 0.5
2005: 0.3
2004: 0.6

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Suicides (any method)

In Armenia, annual suicides by any means total

1999: 677

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

In Armenia, the annual rate of suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

1999: 2.197

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Armenia, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence8

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Small Arms Manufacture - World Ranking

In a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, Armenia is ranked 'small'9

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Regulation of Firearm Exports

In Armenia, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 10 11 12 13 14 15

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Armenia is reported to be US$59,75416 (2011)

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Small Arms Exports - World Ranking

In a comparison of the world's major/mid-level/minor/unknown small arms exporters, Armenia is categorized as 'unknown'17

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Regulation of Firearm Imports

In Armenia, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 10 11 12 14 15

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Armenia is reported to be US$1,419,08516 (2011)

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Armenia, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law18 12

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Armenia is categorised as restrictive19

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Armenia includes the Law on Arms10 14 15

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Armenia are regulated by the Armenian Police Service13

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Armenia, the right to private gun ownership is guaranteed by law15

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Armenia, civilians are not allowed to possess weapons that produce rapid gun fire20

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Armenia, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited20

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Armenia, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted under licence20

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Regulation of Handguns

In Armenia, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence20

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Armenia, only licensed gun owners13 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 Armenia are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, self-defence, hunting or sport20

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Armenia is 18 years15

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Armenia must pass background checks which consider medical15 records

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Firearm Safety Training

In Armenia, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required15 for a firearm licence

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Armenia is permitted to possess only 10 bullets per cartridge20

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Armenia, the law requires8 14 15 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 Manufacturer Record Keeping

In Armenia, licensed gun makers are required8 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Armenia, State agencies are required14 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Armenia, the private sale and transfer of firearms is permitted13

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Armenia, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful13

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Armenia include21 22 8 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 Armenia include8 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Government

Government regulations in Armenia include14 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Armenia include22 12 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 Armenia, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law8 13

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Armenia, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is up to 3 years prison and fine of up to 500 minimal salaries23 24

MeasuresInternational Controls

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Armenia voted to begin25 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 not been signed26 by Armenia

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Armenia 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 Aspects27

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Armenia has submitted one or more national reports28 18 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Armenia, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated29 18

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Armenia, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated29 18

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated18 by Armenia to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Armenia has declared30 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Armenia has been a Member State of the United Nations since 199231

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list32 Armenia as a Participating State

Short References

1.

Karp, Aaron.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms - Annexe online.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q5)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. (Q4)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 - Armenia.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6235)Full Citation

6.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Europe and Central Asia, 1995-2008, Total Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed, Rate per 100,000 Population.’ World Bank Homicide Rate Dataset 1995-2008.Washington DC:Social Development Department, World Bank,10 February. (Q3816)Full Citation

7.

Jackson, Thomas.2005.‘Global Gun Deaths.’ NISAT Firearm Mortality Database 2005.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 January. (Q12)Full Citation

8.

Armenia.2010.‘Marking, Record Keeping and Tracing.’ National Report of Armenia 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 Armenia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3397)Full Citation

9.

Small Arms Survey.2001.‘Ranking of World's Small Arms Producers (By Sales).’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q103)Full Citation

10.

Armenia.2010.‘Export Controls.’ National Report of Armenia 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 Armenia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3400)Full Citation

11.

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. (Q82)Full Citation

12.

Armenia.2010.‘Brokering.’ National Report of Armenia 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 Armenia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3398)Full Citation

13.

Armenia.2010.‘Export Controls.’ National Report of Armenia 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 Armenia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3399)Full Citation

14.

Armenia.2010.‘Stockpile Management and Security.’ National Report of Armenia 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 Armenia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3402)Full Citation

15.

Armenia.2010.‘Legislation, Regulations, Administrative Procedures, Which Also Cover the Legal Relationships Regulating the Circulation of Arms and Bullets/Ammunition in the Republic.’ National Report of Armenia 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 Armenia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3404)Full Citation

16.

Marsh, Nicholas.2013.‘Database of Authorised Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons.’ NISAT Small Arms Trade Database.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,14 February. (Q16)Full Citation

17.

Small Arms Survey.2001.‘60 Known Legal Small Arms Exporting Countries, 2001.’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q867)Full Citation

18.

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

19.

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

20.

Armenia.2010.‘Legislation, Regulations, Administrative Procedures, Which Also Cover the Legal Relationships Regulating the Circulation of Arms and Bullets/Ammunition in the Republic – Civilian Arms.’ National Report of Armenia 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 Armenia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3405)Full Citation

21.

Armenia.2003.‘Improper Performance of the Duties of Safekeeping of Weapons, Ammunition, Explosives and Explosive Devices or Failure Thereof.’ Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.Yerevan:Republic of Armenia,18 April. (Q1733)Full Citation

22.

Armenia.2003.‘Negligent Warehousing of Firearms.’ Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.Yerevan:Republic of Armenia,18 April. (Q1873)Full Citation

23.

Armenia.2003.‘Illegal Procurement, Transportation or Carrying of Weapons, Ammunition, Explosives or Explosive Devices.’ Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.Yerevan:Republic of Armenia,18 April. (Q1731)Full Citation

24.

Armenia.2010.‘Law Enforcement / Criminalisation.’ National Report of Armenia 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 Armenia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q3403)Full Citation

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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

29.

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

30.

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

31.

UN.2013.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York:United Nations General Assembly,7 April. (Q290)Full Citation

32.

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