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Brunei — 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 Brunei is 5,4001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Brunei is 1.42 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, Brunei ranked at No. 1741

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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, Brunei ranked at No. 1372

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Brunei are reported to have 9,6903 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Brunei are reported to have 2,4504 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Brunei, annual homicides by any means total

2006: 25
2005: 0
2004: 56
2003: 2

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

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

2006: 0.525
2005: 0.00
2004: 1.436
2003: 0.56

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn Brunei, annual firearm homicides total

2006: 05
2005: 0

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2006: 0.005
2005: 0.00

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Brunei, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence, but is not conducted in practice7 8

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Home-made Guns

In Brunei the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be low9

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Brunei, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 10 11 12

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Brunei is reported to be US$48513 (2005)

Import Control

In Brunei, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 10 14 12

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Brunei is reported to be US$242,82813 (2009)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Brunei is low8

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Brunei is reported to be US$1,50015

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Brunei is categorised as restrictive16

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Brunei is the Arms and Explosives Act17, and the Arms and Explosives Rules18

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Brunei are regulated by the Sultan of Brunei10, the Prime Minister19, and the Commissioner of Police20

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Brunei, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law10

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Brunei, only licensed gun owners19 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 Brunei are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, target shooting, collection (for military personnel only)21

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Brunei, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful7

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Brunei do not include8 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Brunei do not include8 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Brunei, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 5 to 15 years prison and 3 to 12 strokes of the whip22 23

MeasuresInternational Controls

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Brunei voted to begin24 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 signed25 by Brunei

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Brunei 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 Aspects26

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Brunei has yet to submit a national report27 28 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Brunei, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated28

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Brunei, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated28

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Brunei submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent28

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated28 by Brunei to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Brunei has not declared29 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Brunei has been a Member State of the United Nations since 198430

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list31 Brunei as a Participating State
Last Updated on 24 January 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.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

6.

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

7.

Brunei.1928.‘Licence to Manufacture etc. Guns and Arms.’ Arms and Explosives Act (Chapter 58) Arms and Explosives Rules, Revised Edition 2002.Brunei:Sultan of Brunei,26 November. (Q5115)Full Citation

8.

United Nations.1999.‘Analysis of Country Responses.’ United Nations International Study on Firearm Regulation.Vienna:UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division,30 August. (Q1)Full Citation

9.

United Nations.1998.‘Illegal Manufacture Frequency.’ United Nations International Study on Firearm Regulation.Vienna:UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division,1 August. (Q47)Full Citation

10.

Brunei.1927.‘Arms and Explosives Act – Power to Make Rules.’ Laws of Brunei, 1 of 1927 (Cap. 58 of 1951), 1984 Ed. Cap. 58. Amended by S 99/59, S 7/91, Revised Edition 2002.Brunei:Sultan of Brunei,8 April. (Q5091)Full Citation

11.

Brunei.1928.‘Exportation of Guns, Arms and Naval, Military and Air Force Stores.’ Arms and Explosives Act (Chapter 58) Arms and Explosives Rules, Revised Edition 2002.Brunei:Sultan of Brunei,26 November. (Q5113)Full Citation

12.

Brunei.1928.‘Licence to Land or Tranship Guns or Arms.’ Arms and Explosives Act (Chapter 58) Arms and Explosives Rules, Revised Edition 2002.Brunei:Sultan of Brunei,26 November. (Q5114)Full Citation

13.

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

14.

Brunei.1928.‘Importation of Guns and Arms.’ Arms and Explosives Act (Chapter 58) Arms and Explosives Rules, Revised Edition 2002.Brunei:Sultan of Brunei,26 November. (Q5112)Full Citation

15.

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

16.

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

17.

Brunei.1927.‘Arms and Explosives Act.’ Laws of Brunei, 1 of 1927 (Cap. 58 of 1951), 1984 Ed. Cap. 58. Amended by S 99/59, S 7/91, Revised Edition 2002.Brunei:Sultan of Brunei,8 April. (Q76)Full Citation

18.

Brunei.1928.‘Subsidiary Legislation.’ Arms and Explosives Act (Chapter 58) Arms and Explosives Rules, Revised Edition 2002.Brunei:Sultan of Brunei,26 November. (Q5110)Full Citation

19.

Brunei.1928.‘Firearms to be Licensed.’ Arms and Explosives Act (Chapter 58) Arms and Explosives Rules, Revised Edition 2002.Brunei:Sultan of Brunei,26 November. (Q5111)Full Citation

20.

Brunei.1928.‘Licensing Officer.’ Arms and Explosives Act (Chapter 58) Arms and Explosives Rules, Revised Edition 2002.Brunei:Sultan of Brunei,26 November. (Q5116)Full Citation

21.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘General Preconditions for Licence Applications.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q75)Full Citation

22.

Brunei.2002.‘Arms and Explosives Act (Chapter 58): Arms and Explosives Rules.’ Laws of Brunei, B.R.O.N. 26.11.28 and Amendments – Subsidiary Legislation.Brunei:Sultan of Brunei,30 November. (Q77)Full Citation

23.

Brunei.1928.‘Penalty.’ Arms and Explosives Act (Chapter 58) Arms and Explosives Rules, Revised Edition 2002.Brunei:Sultan of Brunei,26 November. (Q5117)Full Citation

24.

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

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.

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

27.

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

28.

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

29.

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

30.

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

31.

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