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Barbados — 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 Barbados is 21,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Barbados is 7.81 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, Barbados ranked at No. 1662

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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, Barbados ranked at No. 761

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Barbados are reported to have 2,0803 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Barbados are reported to have 1,0664 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Barbados, annual homicides by any means total

2010: 315
2009: 196 5
2008: 25
2007: 27
2006: 35
2005: 29
2004: 22
2003: 33
2002: 25
2001: 25
2000: 20
1999: 235
1998: 20
1995: 16

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

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

2010: 11.35
2009: 7.426 5
2008: 9.80
2007: 10.59
2006: 13.78
2005: 11.46
2004: 8.70
2003: 13.10
2002: 9.96
2001: 9.96
2000: 7.94
1999: 8.65
1998: 7.5
1995: 6.1

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Barbados, annual firearm homicides total

2000: 85
1999: 9
1998: 7

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2000: 3.05
1999: 3.4
1998: 2.6

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Suicides (any method)

In Barbados, annual suicides by any means total

2001: 27

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

ChartIn Barbados, the annual rate of suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2001: 0.708
2000: 3.50

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Barbados, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence9

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Regulation of Firearm Exports

In Barbados, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 10 9

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Barbados is reported to be US$112,61911 (2011)

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Regulation of Firearm Imports

In Barbados, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 10 9 12

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Barbados is reported to be US$587,35511 (2011)

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Barbados, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law13

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Barbados do not include13 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 Barbados is categorised as restrictive14

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Barbados includes the Firearms Act 199815

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Barbados are regulated by the Minister responsible for Police Administration16

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Barbados, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law13

Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Barbados, private possession of fully automatic weapons is permitted under licence13

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Barbados, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted under licence13

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Regulation of Handguns

In Barbados, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence13

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Barbados, only licensed gun owners9 17 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 Barbados are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, collection17 18 19

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Barbados is 25 years20

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Barbados must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and addiction20 17 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Barbados, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required13

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Barbados does not stipulate13 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Barbados, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required13 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Barbados gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 1 year21

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Barbados are permitted to possess any number of firearms13

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Barbados is permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition13

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Barbados, the law does not require13 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 Barbados, licensed firearm dealers are required22 23 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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Background Checks for Private Gun Sales

The buyer of a firearm in a private sale in Barbados is not obliged13 to pass official background checks before taking possession

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Background Checks on Dealer Gun Sales

The buyer of a firearm from a licensed gun dealer in Barbados is not obliged13 to pass official background checks before taking possession

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

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

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Barbados, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful24 22

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Barbados, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined13

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In Barbados, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated13 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Barbados include25 26 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 Barbados include22 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 Barbados do not include13 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 Barbados do not include13 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 Barbados, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is not required by law13

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Firearm Tracing

In Barbados, state authorities carry out27 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In Barbados, state authorities do not employ13 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Barbados, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is prohibited28

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Barbados, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 2 years prison and/or a $5,000 fine29

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Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Authorities in Barbados are not known to have 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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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Barbados, it is not state policy13 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Organization of American States

On 14 November 1997, as a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Barbados adopted the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Explosives, Ammunition and Other Related Materials (CIFTA), a legally binding multilateral treaty of which the OAS is depository. The CIFTA Convention has since been signed and ratified30 31 by Barbados

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Barbados voted to begin32 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, but not yet ratified33 by Barbados

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Barbados 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 Aspects34

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Barbados has submitted one or more national reports35 12 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Barbados, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated36 12

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated12 by Barbados to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Barbados has not declared37 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Barbados has been a Member State of the United Nations since 199638

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list39 Barbados 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 - Barbados.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6389)Full Citation

6.

OAS Observatory on Citizen Security.2011.‘Intentional Homicide.’ Report on Citizen Security in the Americas 2011.Washington, DC:Organisation of American States,1 January. (Q5678)Full Citation

7.

WHO.2010.‘Number of Suicides by Age Group and Gender, Barbados, 2001.’ World Health Organization Mental Health Data.Geneva:World Health Organization,12 September. (Q2467)Full Citation

8.

OAS Observatory on Citizen Security.2011.‘Suicide.’ Report on Citizen Security in the Americas 2011.Washington, DC:Organisation of American States,1 January. (Q5680)Full Citation

9.

Barbados.1998.‘Conditions for the Holding of Firearm Licences.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2150)Full Citation

10.

Barbados.1998.‘Import and Export Licences.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2154)Full Citation

11.

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

12.

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

13.

Barbados.1998.‘Firearms Act.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q4069)Full Citation

14.

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

15.

Barbados.1998.‘Firearms Act.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2149)Full Citation

16.

Barbados.1998.‘Regulations.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2158)Full Citation

17.

Barbados.1998.‘Firearm Licences.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2156)Full Citation

18.

Barbados.1998.‘Collector's Licence.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2162)Full Citation

19.

Barbados.1998.‘Antique Firearms.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2164)Full Citation

20.

Barbados.1998.‘Disqualification for Holding Firearm.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2153)Full Citation

21.

Barbados.1998.‘Conditions for the Holding of Firearm Licences.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2151)Full Citation

22.

Barbados.1998.‘Licences in Respect of Firearms Dealers and Gunsmiths.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2152)Full Citation

23.

Barbados.1998.‘Firearms Dealer's Licence.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2155)Full Citation

24.

Barbados.1998.‘Licences in Respect of Firearms Dealers and Gunsmiths.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2157)Full Citation

25.

Barbados.1998.‘Storage of Firearms and Ammunition.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2160)Full Citation

26.

Barbados.1998.‘Power to Inspect.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2163)Full Citation

27.

Caribbean Net News. 2009. ‘US and Nine Caribbean Islands Sign Agreement to Help Trace Illegal Guns.’ 1 April. (N165) Full Citation

28.

Barbados.1998.‘Carrying Firearm in a Public Place.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2161)Full Citation

29.

Barbados.1998.‘Production of Licence or Permit.’ Firearms Act 1998, Chapter 179.Bridgetown:Government of Barbados,1 November. (Q2159)Full Citation

30.

OAS / UNODA.1997.‘Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Explosives, Ammunition and Other Related Materials / CIFTA.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Organization of American States / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 November. (Q3244)Full Citation

31.

OAS.1997.‘Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Explosives, Ammunition and Other Related Materials (CIFTA): Signatures and Ratifications.’ Organization of American States, Department of International Law.Washington DC:Organization of American States,14 November. (Q3262)Full Citation

32.

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

33.

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

34.

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

35.

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

36.

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

37.

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

38.

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

39.

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