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Cyprus — 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 Cyprus is 275,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Cyprus is 36.42 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, Cyprus ranked at No. 1071

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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, Cyprus ranked at No. 62

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Cyprus is reported to be 104,6611 3

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Cyprus is 10.354

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Number of Privately Owned Shotguns

In Cyprus, the number of shotguns in civilian possession is reported to be 104,6313

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Number of Privately Owned Handguns

There are reportedly 303 handguns in civilian possession in Cyprus

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Cyprus are reported to have 296,0005 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Cyprus are reported to have 2,8076 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Total Number of Gun Deaths

In Cyprus, annual deaths resulting from firearms total

2008: 137

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Rate of All Gun Deaths per 100,000 People

In Cyprus, the annual rate of all gun deaths per 100,000 population is

2008: 1.647

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Cyprus, annual homicides by any means total

2006: 148
2005: 16
2004: 149
2003: 14
2002: 210
2001: 7
1999: 411
1998: 4
1997: 612
1996: 10
1995: 9

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

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

2006: 1.668
2005: 1.91
2004: 1.749
2003: 1.71
2002: 0.2610
2001: 0.92
1997: 0.8012
1996: 1.35
1995: 1.23

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn Cyprus, annual firearm homicides total

2009: 513
2008: 5
2007: 3
2006: 6
2005: 7
2004: 1
2003: 109
2002: 410
2001: 10

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2009: 0.6213
2008: 0.63
2007: 0.36
2006: 0.78
2005: 0.92
2004: 0.14
2003: 1.229
2002: 0.5210
2001: 1.31

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Number of Gun Suicides

ChartIn Cyprus, annual firearm suicides total

2009: 814
2008: 7
2007: 4
2006: 4
2005: 2
2004: 2

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Cyprus, the annual rate of firearm suicide per 100,000 population is

2009: 1.014
2008: 0.88
2007: 0.48
2006: 0.52
2005: 0.26
2004: 0.27

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Number of Unintentional Gun Deaths

ChartIn Cyprus, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2009: 115
2008: 1
2007: 2
2006: 1
2005: 2
2004: 6

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

ChartIn Cyprus, the annual rate of unintentional shooting death per 100,000 population is

2009: 0.1215
2008: 0.13
2007: 0.24
2006: 0.13
2005: 0.26
2004: 0.81

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Cyprus, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence3

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Cyprus, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 16 17 18 19

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Cyprus is reported to be US$14,037,26020 (2009)

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Small Arms Exports - World Ranking

In a comparison of the world's major/mid-level/minor/unknown small arms exporters, Cyprus is categorized as 'unknown'21

Import Control

In Cyprus, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 16 17 18 19

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Cyprus is reported to be US$12,621,79920 (2009)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Cyprus 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 Cyprus is reported to be US$32022

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Cyprus, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law23

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Transparency of Small Arms Transfers

In the most recent survey of state transparency when declaring firearm and ammunition exports, Cyprus was ranked number 38 among 49 major small arms exporting nations in 2011, with a score of 8.50 points of a possible total of 2524

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Cyprus is categorised as restrictive25

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Cyprus is the Firearms Law3, and the Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons26 27

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Cyprus are regulated by the National Police and the District Administrative Officer,3 and the European Commission27

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Cyprus, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects, and armour-piercing, incendiary and expanding ammunition28 29

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Cyprus, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited28 29

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Cyprus, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted only with special authorisation30 31 29

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Regulation of Handguns

In Cyprus, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted only with special authorisation28 30 31 29

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Cyprus, only licensed gun owners32 28 30 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 Cyprus are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, collection, personal protection33

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Cyprus is 18 years33

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Cyprus must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and domestic violence33 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Cyprus, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required3

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

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

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Firearm Safety Training

In Cyprus, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required3 for a firearm licence

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Cyprus is permitted to possess only ammunition suitable for the intended firearm34

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Cyprus, the law requires35 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

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Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In Cyprus, licensed firearm dealers are required35 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Cyprus, State agencies are required36 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Cyprus, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful37 31

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Cyprus 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 Cyprus 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 Cyprus, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law38

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Firearm Tracing

In Cyprus, state authorities carry out38 35 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Cyprus, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit (in exceptional circumstances)3

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

European Union

As a member of the European Union, Cyprus is bound by the provisions of the ‘EU Firearms Directive’ – the 2007 Legislative Resolution on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons of the European Parliament39 40

European Union Export Reporting

Under the European Union Common Position on Arms Exports, Cyprus 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 Cyprus has yet to submit a national report41 on its arms transfers

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Cyprus voted to begin42 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 ratified43 by Cyprus

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Cyprus 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 Aspects44

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Cyprus has submitted one or more national reports45 46 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Cyprus, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated46

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Cyprus, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated46

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Cyprus submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent46

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated46 by Cyprus to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Cyprus 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, Cyprus has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196047

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list48 Cyprus as a Participating State
Last Updated on 13 April 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 – Cyprus.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4221)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.

WHO.2011.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Total Firearm Death.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,15 September. (Q5684)Full Citation

8.

UNODC.2008.‘Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed.’ Tenth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2005-2006).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q10)Full Citation

9.

UNODC.2006.‘Reported Overall Homicide Numbers and Rates per 100,000 Population for 64 Countries, 2003-04.’ Ninth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2003 – 2004).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q9)Full Citation

10.

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

11.

Barclay, Gordon, Cynthia Tavares and Arsalaan Siddique.2001.‘Crimes Recorded by Police: Homicide.’ International Comparisons of Criminal Justice Statistics 1999.London:UK Home Office,1 May. (Q2143)Full Citation

12.

UNODC.2001.‘Cyprus: Total Recorded Intentional Homicides (Completed) and Total Recorded Intentional Homicides Committed With a Firearm.’ Sixth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems, covering the period 1995-1997.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,27 June. (Q1329)Full Citation

13.

WHO.2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Gun Homicide in Cyprus.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,14 February. (Q6081)Full Citation

14.

WHO.2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Gun Suicide in Cyprus.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,27 February. (Q6138)Full Citation

15.

WHO.2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Unintentional Gun Deaths in Cyprus.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,9 March. (Q6178)Full Citation

16.

European Council.1991.‘Article 11.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2414)Full Citation

17.

European Council.1991.‘Article 12.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2415)Full Citation

18.

European Council.1991.‘Article 13.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2416)Full Citation

19.

European Council.1991.‘Article 14.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2417)Full Citation

20.

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

21.

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

22.

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

23.

European Council.1991.‘Article 4b.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2408)Full Citation

24.

Lazarevic, Jasna.2011.‘Small Arms Trade Transparency Barometer 2011, covering major exporters.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5354)Full Citation

25.

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

26.

European Council.1991.‘European Weapons Directive.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2403)Full Citation

27.

European Council.1991.‘Article 18.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2418)Full Citation

28.

European Council.1991.‘Article 6.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2410)Full Citation

29.

European Council.1991.‘Annex 1.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2419)Full Citation

30.

European Council.1991.‘Article 7.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2411)Full Citation

31.

European Council.1991.‘Article 8.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2412)Full Citation

32.

European Council.1991.‘Article 4a.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2407)Full Citation

33.

European Council.1991.‘Article 5.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2409)Full Citation

34.

European Council.1991.‘Article 10.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2413)Full Citation

35.

European Council.1991.‘Article 4.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2406)Full Citation

36.

Cyprus.2005.‘Review of the Stocks of SALW Held by the Armed Forces, Police and Other Authorized Bodies.’ National Report of Cyprus 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 Cyprus to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4628)Full Citation

37.

European Council.1991.‘Article 4.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2405)Full Citation

38.

European Council.1991.‘Article 4.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2404)Full Citation

39.

European Parliament.2007.‘Roll-call Vote: EU Firearms Directive.’ Legislative Resolution on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons.Brussels:VoteWatch.eu,29 November. (Q1346)Full Citation

40.

EU Parliament.2007.‘Draft Legislative Resolution on the EU Parliament Firearms Directive 2007.’ Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons.Brussels:European Parliament,12 July. (Q1970)Full Citation

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Saferworld.2010.‘EU Arms Transfer Reporting Database.’ Saferworld European Union Arms Transfer Reporting Database.London:Saferworld,9 December. (Q3364)Full Citation

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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

43.

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

44.

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

45.

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

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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

47.

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

48.

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