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Bangladesh — 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 Bangladesh is 700,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Bangladesh is 0.51 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, Bangladesh ranked at No. 662

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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, Bangladesh ranked at No. 1691

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Number of Licensed Firearm Owners

The number of licensed gun owners in Bangladesh is reported to be 185,0003

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Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 Population

The rate of licensed firearm owners in Bangladesh is 1.284 per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Bangladesh is reported to be 185,0002

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Bangladesh is 1.284

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Estimated Number of Illicit Firearms

Unlawfully held guns cannot be counted, but in Bangladesh there are estimated to be 400,0005

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Estimated Rate of Illicit Firearms per 100 Population

Unlawfully held guns cannot be counted, but in Bangladesh there are estimated to be 0.284 illicit firearms per 100 people

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Bangladesh are reported to have 252,7006 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Bangladesh are reported to have 389,5167 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Bangladesh, annual homicides by any means total

2010: 3,9888
2009: 4,2199
2008: 4,099
2007: 3,863
2006: 4,166
2005: 3,592

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

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

2010: 2.78
2009: 2.748 4
2008: 2.6010 8
2007: 2.40
2006: 2.98
2005: 2.6
2004: 2.8
2000: 2.6

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Suicides (any method)

In Bangladesh, annual suicides by any means total

2000: 1,47911

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

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

2000: 1.0111

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Gun Suicides

In Bangladesh, annual firearm suicides total

2000: 1811

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

In Bangladesh, the annual rate of firearm suicide per 100,000 population is

2000: 0.0111

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Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Bangladesh, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2000: 4411

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

In Bangladesh, the annual rate of unintentional shooting death per 100,000 population is

2000: 0.0311

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Bangladesh, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence12

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Home-made Guns

In Bangladesh the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be moderate13

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Regulation of Firearm Exports

In Bangladesh, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 14 15

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Bangladesh is reported to be US$19216 (2011)

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Regulation of Firearm Imports

In Bangladesh, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 14 15

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Bangladesh is reported to be US$1,020,24616 (2011)

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Bangladesh is reported to be US$1,20017

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Bangladesh includes the Arms Act 187818

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Bangladesh are regulated by the Government19

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Bangladesh, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law20

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Bangladesh, only licensed gun owners21 22 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Licensing Records

In Bangladesh, authorities maintain a record23 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Bangladesh, the law requires23 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 Bangladesh, licensed firearm dealers are required19 23 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Bangladesh, State agencies are required24 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 Bangladesh, the private sale and transfer of firearms is permitted12

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Bangladesh, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful12

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Dealer

Firearm regulations in Bangladesh include19 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 Bangladesh include25 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 Bangladesh, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law23

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Firearm Tracing

In Bangladesh, state authorities carry out23 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Authorities in Bangladesh are known to have26 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation

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Small Arms Destroyed

In Bangladesh, the total number of firearms destroyed following recent amnesty, collection and seizure programmes is reported to be 4,70027 (2002-2003) and 1,94026 (2004)

MeasuresInternational Controls

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Bangladesh voted to begin28 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 signed29 by Bangladesh

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Bangladesh 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 Aspects30

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Bangladesh has submitted one or more national reports31 32 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Bangladesh, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated33 32

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated32 by Bangladesh to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided32 to Bangladesh by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Bangladesh has declared34 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Bangladesh has been a Member State of the United Nations since 197435

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list36 Bangladesh 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.

Kafi, Sharif A.2005.‘Illegal Use of Legally Held Small Arms.’ Illegal Small Arms and Human Insecurity in Bangladesh.Dhaka:Bangladesh Development Partnership Centre / BDPC,1 November. (Q2938)Full Citation

4.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Bangladesh.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4203)Full Citation

5.

Kafi, Sharif A.2005.‘Availability of Small Arms.’ Illegal Small Arms and Human Insecurity in Bangladesh.Dhaka:Bangladesh Development Partnership Centre / BDPC,1 November. (Q2939)Full Citation

6.

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

7.

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

8.

UNODC.2011.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Bangladesh.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6271)Full Citation

9.

Bangladesh.2010.‘Murder.’ Crime Statistics (Number of registered cases from 2005 to 2009).Dhaka:Bangladesh Police,12 September. (Q2466)Full Citation

10.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘South 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. (Q3815)Full Citation

11.

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

12.

Bangladesh.1991.‘Unlicensed Manufacture, Conversion and Sale Prohibited.’ Arms Act, 1878 (Act No. XI OF 1878).Dhaka:Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs,1 January. (Q2166)Full Citation

13.

Kafi, Sharif A.2005.‘Local Manufacturing of Small Arms.’ Illegal Small Arms and Human Insecurity in Bangladesh.Dhaka:Bangladesh Development Partnership Centre / BDPC,1 November. (Q2937)Full Citation

14.

Bangladesh.1991.‘Unlicensed Importation and Exportation Prohibited.’ Arms Act, 1878 (Act No. XI OF 1878).Dhaka:Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs,1 January. (Q2167)Full Citation

15.

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

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.

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

18.

Bangladesh.1991.‘Arrangement of Sections, Preliminary, Short Title and Interpretation.’ Arms Act, 1878 (Act No. XI OF 1878).Dhaka:Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs,1 January. (Q2165)Full Citation

19.

Bangladesh.1991.‘Power to Make Rule as to Licenses.’ Arms Act, 1878 (Act No. XI OF 1878).Dhaka:Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs,1 January. (Q2172)Full Citation

20.

Bangladesh.1991.‘Arrangement of Sections, Preliminary, Short Title and Interpretation.’ Arms Act, 1878 (Act No. XI OF 1878).Dhaka:Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs,1 January. (Q4068)Full Citation

21.

Bangladesh.1991.‘Prohibition of Going Armed Without a Licence.’ Arms Act, 1878 (Act No. XI OF 1878).Dhaka:Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs,1 January. (Q2170)Full Citation

22.

Bangladesh.1991.‘Unlicensed Possession of Firearms, etc..’ Arms Act, 1878 (Act No. XI OF 1878).Dhaka:Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs,1 January. (Q2171)Full Citation

23.

Bangladesh.2010.‘Implementation of PoA on SALW.’ National Report of Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4645)Full Citation

24.

Bangladesh.2010.‘Stockpile Management.’ National Report of Bangladesh 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 Bangladesh to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4646)Full Citation

25.

Bangladesh.1991.‘Power to Prohibit Transport.’ Arms Act, 1878 (Act No. XI OF 1878).Dhaka:Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs,1 January. (Q2169)Full Citation

26.

Jackson, Thomas, Nicholas Marsh, Taylor Owen and Ann Thurin.2005.‘Who Takes the Bullet? The impact of small arms violence.’ Understanding the Issues (Norwegian Church Aid series).Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers / NISAT / PRIO,1 March. (Q2934)Full Citation

27.

Cukier, Wendy and Victor W Sidel.2006.‘Elements of Firearm Regulation: Deterrence measures and law enforcement.’ The Global Gun Epidemic: From Saturday Night Specials to AK-47s.Westport, CT:Praeger Security International,1 January. (Q2932)Full Citation

28.

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

29.

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

30.

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

31.

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

32.

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

33.

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

34.

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

35.

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

36.

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