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Bulgaria — Gun Facts, Figures and the LawStockpilesGun NumbersCivilian GunsNumber of Privately Owned FirearmsThe estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Bulgaria is 480,0001 Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 PopulationNumber of Privately Owned Firearms - World RankingIn a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Bulgaria ranked at No. 843 Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World RankingIn a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, Bulgaria ranked at No. 881 Number of Registered FirearmsThe number of registered guns in Bulgaria is reported to be 300,0003 Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 PopulationThe rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Bulgaria is 4.034 Estimated Number of Illicit FirearmsUnlawfully held guns cannot be counted, but in Bulgaria there are estimated to be 93,2065 Estimated Rate of Illicit Firearms per 100 PopulationUnlawfully held guns cannot be counted, but in Bulgaria there are estimated to be 1.244 illicit firearms per 100 people ImpactsDeath and InjuryHomicides (any method)Gun HomicidesHandgun HomicidesGun Homicides (Other)Gun SuicidesHandgun SuicidesLong Gun SuicidesGun Suicides (Other)Unintentional Gun DeathsUnintentional Handgun DeathsUnintentional Long Gun DeathsUnintentional Gun Deaths (Other)Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseHandgun Deaths from Undetermined CauseLong Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseGun Deaths (Other) from Undetermined CauseProductionGun IndustrySmall Arms Manufacture - World RankingIn a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, Bulgaria is ranked 'medium'20 TransfersGun Trade and TraffickingRegulation of Firearm ExportsMarket Cost of an AK-47 Assault Rifle (US$)The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Bulgaria is reported to be US$30029 End User CertificatesCustoms regulations in Bulgaria do not include32 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use Transparency of Small Arms TransfersIn the most recent survey of state transparency when declaring firearm and ammunition exports, Bulgaria was ranked number 23 among 49 major small arms exporting nations in 2011, with a score of 11.50 points of a possible total of 2533 MeasuresGun RegulationFirearm Regulation - Guiding PolicyThe regulation of guns in Bulgaria is categorised as restrictive34 Firearm LawGuiding gun control legislation in Bulgaria includes the Law on the Control of Explosives, Firearms and Ammunitions35, the Law on the Control of Foreign Trade Activity in Arms and in Dual–Use Goods and Technologies36, and the Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons37 38 Right to Possess FirearmsIn Bulgaria, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law32 Prohibited Firearms and AmmunitionGun Owner LicensingIn Bulgaria, only licensed gun owners39 45 41 43 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition Genuine Reason Required for Firearm LicenceMinimum Age for Firearm PossessionGun Owner Background ChecksReference Required for Firearm LicenceIn Bulgaria, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required32 Domestic Violence and FirearmsWhere a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Bulgaria does not stipulate32 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked Firearm Safety TrainingIn Bulgaria, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required32 for a firearm licence Limit on Number of GunsLicensed firearm owners in Bulgaria are permitted to possess any number of firearms32 Firearm RegistrationCivilian Gun RegistrationGun Dealer Record KeepingGun Manufacturer Record KeepingState-Owned Firearm RecordsIn Bulgaria, State agencies are required51 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control Gun Sales and TransfersBackground Checks for Private Gun SalesThe buyer of a firearm in a private sale in Bulgaria is not obliged32 to pass official background checks before taking possession Background Checks on Dealer Gun SalesThe buyer of a firearm from a licensed gun dealer in Bulgaria is not obliged32 to pass official background checks before taking possession Regulation of Private Gun SalesIn Bulgaria, the private sale and transfer of firearms is permitted32 Regulation of Dealer Gun SalesWaiting Period for Gun PossessionIn Bulgaria, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined32 Regulation of Gun ShowsIn Bulgaria, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated32 in law Storage and Transport of Guns and AmmunitionFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - PrivateFirearm regulations in Bulgaria include17 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - DealerFirearm regulations in Bulgaria do not include32 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - GovernmentGovernment regulations in Bulgaria do not include32 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities Marking and Tracing Guns and AmmunitionFirearm TracingBallistic Marking of Firearms and AmmunitionIn Bulgaria, state authorities do not employ32 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition Carrying GunsCarrying Guns Openly in PublicIn Bulgaria, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed without a permit47 Collection, Amnesty and Destruction ProgrammesDestruction and Disposal PolicyIn Bulgaria, it is not state policy32 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market MeasuresInternational ControlsRegional AgreementsEuropean UnionEuropean Union Export ReportingUnder the European Union Common Position on Arms Exports, Bulgaria is bound to declare its transfers of military technology and equipment. Independent monitoring provides detailed comparisons of arms export reporting compliance across EU member states, and records that Bulgaria has submitted one or more national reports60 on its arms transfers United Nations Arms Trade TreatyIn 2009, Bulgaria voted to begin61 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 United Nations Firearms ProtocolThe United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition has been signed and ratified62 by Bulgaria United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoAUNPoA CommitmentOn 21 July 2001, Bulgaria 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 Aspects63 UNPoA National ReportingUNPoA National Point of ContactUNPoA National Coordinating BodyIn Bulgaria, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated66 UNPoA International Assistance – DonorFunds for UNPoA implementation have been donated65 by Bulgaria to other UN Member States United Nations Small Arms RegisterAccording to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Bulgaria has declared67 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports. United Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, Bulgaria has been a Member State of the United Nations since 195568 Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies lists69 Bulgaria as a Participating State |
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