Cameroon — Gun Facts, Figures and the LawStockpilesGun NumbersCivilian GunsNumber of Privately Owned FirearmsThe estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Cameroon is 340,0001 Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 PopulationThe rate of private gun ownership in Cameroon is 2.82 firearms per 100 people Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World RankingIn a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Cameroon ranked at No. 991 Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World RankingIn a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 179 countries, Cameroon ranked at No. 1192 ProductionGun IndustryHome-made GunsIn Cameroon the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be moderate9 TransfersGun Trade and TraffickingExport ControlSmall Arms Exports (US$)The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Cameroon is reported to be US$221,50611 (2009) End User CertificatesCustoms regulations in Cameroon do not include18 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use MeasuresGun RegulationFirearm Regulation - Guiding PolicyThe regulation of guns in Cameroon is categorised as restrictive19 Right to Possess FirearmsIn Cameroon, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law22 Gun Owner LicensingIn Cameroon, only licensed gun owners22 8 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition Genuine Reason Required for Firearm LicenceApplicants for a gun owner’s licence in Cameroon are not required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm18 Minimum Age for Firearm PossessionThe minimum age for gun ownership in Cameroon is 21 years7 Gun Owner Background ChecksAn applicant for a firearm licence in Cameroon must pass background checks which consider mental and criminal7 records Reference Required for Firearm LicenceIn Cameroon, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required18 Domestic Violence and FirearmsWhere a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Cameroon does not stipulate18 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked Firearm Safety TrainingIn Cameroon, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required18 for a firearm licence Licensing RecordsLimit on Number of GunsLicensed firearm owners in Cameroon are permitted to possess one firearm per authorisation23 Firearm RegistrationCivilian Gun RegistrationGun Dealer Record KeepingIn Cameroon, licensed firearm dealers are required25 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority Gun Manufacturer Record KeepingIn Cameroon, licensed gun makers are required25 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority State-Owned Firearm RecordsIn Cameroon, State agencies are not required26 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control Gun Sales and TransfersRegulation of Private Gun SalesIn Cameroon, the private sale and transfer of firearms is permitted27 Regulation of Dealer Gun SalesWaiting Period for Gun PossessionIn Cameroon, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined18 Regulation of Gun ShowsIn Cameroon, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated18 in law Storage and Transport of Guns and AmmunitionFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - PrivateFirearm regulations in Cameroon do not include18 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - DealerFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - GovernmentGovernment regulations in Cameroon do not include26 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities Firearm and Ammunition Transport RegulationsRegulations in Cameroon include12 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit Marking and Tracing Guns and AmmunitionFirearm MarkingIn Cameroon, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law23 Firearm TracingIn Cameroon, state authorities do not carry out18 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures Ballistic Marking of Firearms and AmmunitionIn Cameroon, state authorities do not employ18 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition Penalty for Illicit Firearm PossessionIn Cameroon, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is a prison term of 5 to 10 days and a fine29 Collection, Amnesty and Destruction ProgrammesAuthorities in Cameroon are known to have30 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation Destruction and Disposal PolicyIn Cameroon, it is not state policy31 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market MeasuresInternational ControlsRegional AgreementsAfrican UnionIn June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Cameroon adopted an African Common Position to take to the Conference to Review the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), held in June 200632 United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central AfricaIn November 2010, as a member of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC), Cameroon adopted the Central Africa Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition, Parts and Components that can be used for their Manufacture, Repair and Assembly, known as the ‘Kinshasa Convention. A legally binding multilateral treaty for which UNSAC is depository, the Kinshasa Convention has since been signed, but not yet ratified33 34 35 by Cameroon United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal JusticeAt the resumption of the most recent session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UNCCPCJ), a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council mandated to promote action to prevent national and transnational crime, Cameroon was listed as an elected member for a three-year term of office36 United Nations Arms Trade TreatyIn 2009, Cameroon voted to begin37 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 not been signed38 by Cameroon United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoAUNPoA CommitmentOn 21 July 2001, Cameroon 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 Aspects39 UNPoA National ReportingUNPoA National Point of ContactIn Cameroon, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated42 UNPoA International Assistance – DonorFunds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated41 by Cameroon to other UN Member States UNPoA International Assistance – RecipientFunds for UNPoA implementation have been provided41 to Cameroon by other UN Member States United Nations Small Arms RegisterAccording to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Cameroon has not declared1 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports. United Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, Cameroon has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196043 Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list44 Cameroon as a Participating State |
| Last Updated on 25 January 2012 |
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