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Cameroon — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

Number of Privately Owned Firearms

The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Cameroon is 340,0001

Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Cameroon is 2.82 firearms per 100 people

Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In 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 Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 179 countries, Cameroon ranked at No. 1192

Government Guns

Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Cameroon are reported to have 43,8903 firearms

Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Cameroon are reported to have 24,6074 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Cameroon, annual homicides by any means total

2003: 1,0025
2002: 1,031
2001: 755
2000: 459

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

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

2007: 2.306
2006: 5.40
2004: 16.10
2003: 3.85
2002: 8.50
2001: 4.65
2000: 2.89
1998: 038
1995: 0.23

ProductionGun Industry

Firearm Manufacture

In Cameroon, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence7 8 9 10

Home-made Guns

In Cameroon the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be moderate9

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Cameroon is reported to be US$221,50611 (2009)

Import Control

In Cameroon, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 7 8 12 13 14

Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Cameroon is reported to be US$6,390,70811 (2009)

Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Cameroon is moderate15 16

Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Cameroon, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law13 17

End User Certificates

Customs 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 Regulation

Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Cameroon is categorised as restrictive19

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Cameroon is the Decree No 73/658 of 22 October 1973 regulating the import, sale, transfer, possession and carrying of firearms and ammunition20 13

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Cameroon are regulated by the Police, the Gendarmerie, the Army21 and the Ministry for Territorial Administration13

Right to Possess Firearms

In Cameroon, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law22

Gun Owner Licensing

In Cameroon, only licensed gun owners22 8 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Licence

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Cameroon are not required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm18

Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Cameroon is 21 years7

Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Cameroon must pass background checks which consider mental and criminal7 records

Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Cameroon, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required18

Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where 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 Training

In 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 Records

In Cameroon, authorities maintain a record23 24 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Cameroon are permitted to possess one firearm per authorisation23

Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Cameroon is permitted to possess the quantity of ammunition specified in the authorisation8 23

Firearm Registration

Civilian Gun Registration

In Cameroon, the law requires23 24 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In 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 Keeping

In Cameroon, licensed gun makers are required25 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority

State-Owned Firearm Records

In 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 Transfers

Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Cameroon, the private sale and transfer of firearms is permitted27

Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Cameroon, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful7 8 27

Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Cameroon, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined18

Regulation of Gun Shows

In Cameroon, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated18 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm 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 - Dealer

Firearm regulations in Cameroon include7 8 28 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Government

Government regulations in Cameroon do not include26 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities

Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Cameroon include12 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

Firearm Marking

In Cameroon, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law23

Firearm Tracing

In Cameroon, state authorities do not carry out18 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In Cameroon, state authorities do not employ18 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Cameroon, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit22 8

Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Cameroon, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit22 8

Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In 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 Programmes

Authorities 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 Policy

In Cameroon, it is not state policy31 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

African Union

In 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 Africa

In 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 Justice

At 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 Treaty

In 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 Protocol

The 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 UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 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 Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Cameroon has submitted one or more national reports40 41 on its implementation of the UNPoA

UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Cameroon, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated42

UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated41 by Cameroon to other UN Member States

UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided41 to Cameroon by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According 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 Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Cameroon has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196043

Wassenaar Arrangement

The 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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