Find Gun Policy Facts

Armed violence prevention, gun control laws and the small arms trade:

Research supported by

Go To ..

Chile — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

expand all collapse all

StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

Compare
Number of Privately Owned Firearms

The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Chile is 1,500,000 to 2,000,0001

Compare
Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Chile is 10.72 firearms per 100 people

Compare
Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Chile ranked at No. 403

Compare
Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, Chile ranked at No. 592

Compare
Number of Licensed Firearm Owners

The number of licensed gun owners in Chile is reported to be 457,0004

Compare
Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 Population

The rate of licensed firearm owners in Chile is 2.345 per 100 people

Compare
Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Chile is reported to be 737,9804

Compare
Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Chile is 4.615

Compare
Number of Privately Owned Rifles

In Chile, the number of rifles in civilian possession is reported to be 41,5556

Compare
Number of Privately Owned Shotguns

In Chile, the number of shotguns in civilian possession is reported to be 180,9246

Compare
Number of Privately Owned Handguns

There are reportedly 378,4546 handguns in civilian possession in Chile

Compare
Estimated Number of Illicit Firearms

Unlawfully held guns cannot be counted, but in Chile there are estimated to be 750,000 to 1,300,0001 4

Government Guns

Compare
Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Chile are reported to have 358,0007 1 to 502,5008 firearms

Compare
Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Chile are reported to have 60,0009 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

Compare
Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Chile, annual homicides by any means total

2009: 63010 11
2008: 58810
2007: 61610 11
2006: 590
2005: 576
2004: 278
2003: 592
2002: 732
2001: 929
2000: 878
1999: 45711
1998: 421
1997: 371
1996: 439
1995: 461

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

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

2009: 3.7110 11
2008: 3.50
2007: 3.70
2006: 3.58
2005: 3.54
2004: 1.72
2003: 3.71
2002: 4.64
2001: 5.96
2000: 5.70
1999: 3.011 12
1998: 2.8
1997: 2.5
1996: 3.0
1995: 3.2

Compare
Gun Homicides

ChartIn Chile, annual firearm homicides total

2005: 35311
2002: 913
2001: 9
2000: 2714

Compare
Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2005: 2.211
2002: 0.0613
2001: 0.06
2000: 0.1814

Compare
Suicides (any method)

ChartIn Chile, annual suicides by any means total

2005: 1,68015
2003: 1,654

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

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

2005: 10.3015
2003: 10.40
2000: 9.60

Compare
Gun Suicides

In Chile, annual firearm suicides total

2002: 17316

Compare
Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

In Chile, the annual rate of firearm suicide per 100,000 population is

2002: 1.0916

Compare
Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Chile, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2002: 6416

Compare
Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

In Chile, the annual rate of unintentional shooting death per 100,000 population is

2002: 0.4016

Compare
Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

In Chile, annual shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

2001: 616

Compare
Rate of Gun Death from Undetermined Cause per 100,000 People

In Chile, the annual rate of unknown-cause shooting deaths per 100,000 population is

2001: 0.045

ProductionGun Industry

Compare
Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Chile, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence6

Compare
Small Arms Manufacture - World Ranking

In a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, Chile is ranked 'small'17

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Compare
Regulation of Firearm Exports

In Chile, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 18

Compare
Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Chile is reported to be US$1,911,88519 (2011)

Compare
Small Arms Exports - World Ranking

In a comparison of the world's major/mid-level/minor/unknown small arms exporters, Chile is categorized as 'minor'20

Compare
Regulation of Firearm Imports

In Chile, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 18

Compare
Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Chile is reported to be US$6,628,28419 (2011)

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Chile is reported to be US$1,00021

Compare
Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Chile, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law18

MeasuresGun Regulation

Compare
Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Chile is categorised as restrictive22

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Chile includes the Convention of 1 July 1969 on Reciprocal Recognition of Proofmarks on Small Arms23

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Chile are regulated by the Direccion General de Movilizacion Nacional and the Ministerio de Defensa Nacional6

Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

Compare
Regulation of Handguns

In Chile, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence6

Compare
Gun Owner Licensing

In Chile, only licensed gun owners6 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Compare
Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Licence

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Chile are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, collection, personal protection, security6

Compare
Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Chile is 18 years6

Compare
Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Chile must pass background checks which consider criminal and mental6 records

Compare
Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Chile does not stipulate6 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

Firearm Registration

Compare
Civilian Gun Registration

In Chile, the law requires24 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

Compare
State-Owned Firearm Records

In Chile, State agencies are required24 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

Compare
Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Chile do not include6 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

Compare
Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Chile include6 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

Compare
Firearm Marking

In Chile, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law25 24

Compare
Firearm Tracing

In Chile, state authorities carry out26 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Compare
Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In Chile, state authorities employ25 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

Compare
Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Chile, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed without a permit (with some restrictions)6

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Organization of American States

On 14 November 1997, as a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Chile 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 ratified27 28 by Chile

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, Chile was listed as an elected member for a three-year term of office29

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Chile voted to begin30 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

Compare
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 and ratified31 by Chile

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Chile 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 Aspects32

Compare
UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Chile has submitted one or more national reports33 26 on its implementation of the UNPoA

Compare
UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Chile, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated34 26

Compare
UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Chile, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated26

Compare
UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated26 by Chile to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Chile has declared3 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Chile has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194535

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list36 Chile as a Participating State

Short References

1.

Karp, Aaron.2009.‘Estimated Total Small Arms, Firearms, and Surpluses in Chile, Rounded.’ Surplus Arms in South America: A Survey.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,1 August. (Q5302)Full Citation

2.

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

3.

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

4.

Karp, Aaron.2009.‘Country Summaries – Chile.’ Surplus Arms in South America: A Survey.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,1 August. (Q5303)Full Citation

5.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Chile.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4215)Full Citation

6.

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

7.

Karp, Aaron.2009.‘Country Summaries – Chile.’ Surplus Arms in South America: A Survey.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,1 August. (Q5301)Full Citation

8.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q6)Full Citation

9.

Karp, Aaron.2012.‘Table 2 - Examples of Police Firearms Per Officer in Selected Countries.’ Armed Actors - Estimating Law Enforcement Firearms.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,1 December. (Q6545)Full Citation

10.

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

11.

UNODC.2011.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Chile.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6331)Full Citation

12.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Latin America and the Caribbean, 1995-2008, Total Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed, Rate per 100,000 Population.’ World Bank Homicide Rate Dataset 1995-2008.Washington DC:Social Development Department, World Bank,10 February. (Q3817)Full Citation

13.

UNODC.2005.‘Recorded Homicide and Firearm Homicide in 53 Countries, Completed or Attempted.’ Eighth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2001-2002).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,15 April. (Q1077)Full Citation

14.

UNODC.2004.‘Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed.’ Seventh United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (1998-2000).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,19 March. (Q91)Full Citation

15.

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

16.

Jackson, Thomas.2005.‘Global Gun Deaths.’ NISAT Firearm Mortality Database 2005.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 January. (Q12)Full Citation

17.

Small Arms Survey.2001.‘Ranking of World's Small Arms Producers (By Sales).’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q103)Full Citation

18.

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. (Q82)Full Citation

19.

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

20.

Small Arms Survey.2001.‘60 Known Legal Small Arms Exporting Countries, 2001.’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q867)Full Citation

21.

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

22.

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

23.

UNGA.1969.‘Reciprocal Recognition of Proof Marks.’ Convention for the Reciprocal Recognition of Proof Marks on Small Arms of July 1, 1969.Brussels:United Nations General Assembly,1 July. (Q5999)Full Citation

24.

Chile.2008.‘Implementation of the International Tracing Instrument.’ National Report of Chile on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations,16 May. (Q4618)Full Citation

25.

Chile.2006.‘Legislation, Regulation, Administrative Procedures (Legislación, Reglamentación, Procedimientos Administrativos).’ National Report of Chile on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA).New York:Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4617)Full Citation

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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

29.

UNCCPCJ / UNODC.1991.‘Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.’ United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.Vienna:United Nations Economic and Social Council / United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,1 January. (Q3222)Full Citation

30.

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

31.

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

32.

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

33.

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

34.

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

35.

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

36.

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