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Cuba — 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 Cuba is 545,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Cuba is 4.82 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, Cuba ranked at No. 761

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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, Cuba ranked at No. 1042

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Number of Licensed Firearm Owners

The number of licensed gun owners in Cuba is reported to be 54,1583

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Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 Population

The rate of licensed firearm owners in Cuba is 0.494 per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Cuba is reported to be 58,1503

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Cuba is 0.534

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Number of Privately Owned Rifles

In Cuba, the number of rifles in civilian possession is reported to be 1,5773

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Number of Privately Owned Shotguns

In Cuba, the number of shotguns in civilian possession is reported to be 43,7543

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Number of Privately Owned Handguns

There are reportedly 12,8193 handguns in civilian possession in Cuba

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Cuba are reported to have 2,618,4005 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Cuba are reported to have 44,4346 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

Number of Homicides (any method)

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

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

2006: 5.507
2005: 6.00
2004: 6.00
2003: 6.40
2002: 7.00
2000: 7.10

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Number of Suicides (any method)

In Cuba, annual suicides by any means total

2002: 1,5748

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

In Cuba, the annual rate of suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2002: 13.938

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Number of Gun Suicides

In Cuba, annual firearm suicides total

2002: 398

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

2002: 0.358

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Number of Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Cuba, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2002: 148

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

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

2002: 0.128

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Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

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

2001: 28

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

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

2001: 0.028

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Cuba, 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 practice3

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Cuba is reported to be US$3469 (2009)

Import Control

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Cuba is reported to be US$119,8969 (2009)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Cuba is negligible3

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Cuba is reported to be US$18010

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Cuba is categorised as restrictive11

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Cuba is the Decree-Law 262 on firearms and ammunition12

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Cuba are regulated by the National Revolutionary Police Ministry of the Interior3

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Cuba, civilians are not allowed to possess longguns3

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Regulation of Handguns

In Cuba, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence3

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Cuba, only licensed gun owners3 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 Cuba are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target, shooting, collection, personal protection3

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Cuba is 18 years3

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Cuba must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental, domestic violence3 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Cuba, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are required3

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Cuba stipulates3 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Licensing Records

In Cuba, authorities maintain a record3 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Cuba, the law requires12 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Cuba, State agencies are required13 12 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Cuba include3 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 Cuba include3 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Cuba, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law13

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Firearm Tracing

In Cuba, state authorities do not carry out14 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

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, Cuba was listed as an elected member for a three-year term of office15

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Cuba abstained from endorsing16 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 been signed and ratified17 by Cuba

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Cuba 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 Aspects18

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Cuba has submitted one or more national reports19 14 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Cuba, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated14

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated14 by Cuba to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Cuba 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, Cuba has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194520

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list21 Cuba as a Participating State
Last Updated on 25 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.

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

4.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Cuba.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4220)Full Citation

5.

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

6.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q7)Full Citation

7.

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

8.

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

9.

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

10.

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

11.

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

12.

Cuba.2010.‘Report on the Programme of Action (Informe sobre el Programa de Acción).’ National Report of Cuba 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 Cuba to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4634)Full Citation

13.

Cuba.2008.‘International Instrument.’ National Report of Cuba 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 Cuba to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4635)Full Citation

14.

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

15.

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

16.

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

17.

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

18.

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

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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