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Dominican Republic — 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 the Dominican Republic is 450,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in the Dominican Republic is 5.12 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, the Dominican Republic ranked at No. 851

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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, the Dominican Republic ranked at No. 992

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in the Dominican Republic is reported to be 178,1933

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in the Dominican Republic is 1.944

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of the Dominican Republic are reported to have 43,3205 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in the Dominican Republic are reported to have 21,0006 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn the Dominican Republic, annual homicides by any means total

2009: 2,3527
2008: 2,335
2007: 2,092
2006: 2,264
2005: 2,497
2004: 2,354
2003: 1,719
2002: 1,310
2001: 1,110
2000: 1,144

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

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

2009: 24.077
2008: 24.23
2007: 22.01
2006: 24.16
2005: 27.03
2004: 25.86
2003: 19.17
2002: 14.83
2001: 12.76
2000: 13.36
1999: 14.008
1997: 12.65

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn the Dominican Republic, annual firearm homicides total

2006: 1,1649
2005: 1,543

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2009: 13.967
2008: 14.05
2007: 15.16
2006: 14.01
2005: 15.68
2004: 15.00
2003: 11.12
2002: 8.60
2001: 7.40
2000: 7.75

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Number of Suicides (any method)

ChartIn the Dominican Republic, annual suicides by any means total

2009: 52510
2008: 533
2007: 514
2006: 400
2005: 518
2004: 280
2003: 406
1999: 17411

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

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

2009: 6.0010
2008: 6.20
2007: 6.10
2006: 4.80
2005: 6.30
2004: 3.50
2003: 5.10
2002: 4.90
2001: 3.90
2000: 4.80
1999: 1.9911

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Number of Gun Suicides

In the Dominican Republic, annual firearm suicides total

1999: 3811

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

1999: 0.4311

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Number of Unintentional Gun Deaths

In the Dominican Republic, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

1998: 411

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

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

1998: 0.0511

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Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

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

1999: 6211

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

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

1999: 0.7111

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from the Dominican Republic is reported to be US$2,29612 (2009)

Import Control

In the Dominican Republic, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 13 14

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to the Dominican Republic is reported to be US$8,068,16312 (2009)

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In the Dominican Republic, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law14

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In the Dominican Republic, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms15

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In the Dominican Republic, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited15

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Gun Owner Licensing

In the Dominican Republic, only licensed gun owners16 17 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 the Dominican Republic are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, collection or self-defence16 18 17

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in the Dominican Republic is 18 years17

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in the Dominican Republic must pass background checks which consider medical, mental and criminal17 19 records

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In the Dominican Republic gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every year16

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Licensing Records

In the Dominican Republic, authorities maintain a record16 15 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In the Dominican Republic, the law requires16 20 13 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 the Dominican Republic, licensed firearm dealers are required13 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 the Dominican Republic, State agencies are required16 20 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 Private Gun Sales

In the Dominican Republic, the private sale and transfer of firearms is permitted16

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In the Dominican Republic, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful13

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in the Dominican Republic do not include21 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Dealer

Firearm regulations in the Dominican Republic include13 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In the Dominican Republic, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law22

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Firearm Tracing

In the Dominican Republic, state authorities carry out20 23 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In the Dominican Republic, state authorities employ20 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In the Dominican Republic, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit21

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In the Dominican Republic, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit21

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In the Dominican Republic, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 2 years of prison term and a fine21

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Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Authorities in the Dominican Republic are known to have24 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Central American Integration System

As a member of the Central American Integration System (SICA), the Dominican Republic is party to the 2007 Central American Programme on Small Arms Control and the Code of Conduct of Central American States on the Transfer of Arms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Material25

Organization of American States

On 14 November 1997, as a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Dominican Republic 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 ratified26 27 by the Dominican Republic

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, the Dominican Republic voted to begin28 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 ratified29 by the Dominican Republic

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, the Dominican Republic 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 Aspects30

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, the Dominican Republic has submitted one or more national reports31 23 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In the Dominican Republic, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated23

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In the Dominican Republic, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated23

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of the Dominican Republic submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is apparent23

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated23 by the Dominican Republic to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, the Dominican Republic 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, the Dominican Republic has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194532

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list33 the Dominican Republic 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.

OAS Observatory on Citizen Security.2011.‘Civilian Firearms Legally Registered.’ Report on Citizen Security in the Americas 2011.Washington, DC:Organisation of American States,1 January. (Q5679)Full Citation

4.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Dominican Republic.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q5681)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.

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

8.

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

9.

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

10.

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

11.

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

12.

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

13.

Dominican Republic.2010.‘Manufacturers, Traders, Brokers, Importers, Exporters and Transporters (Industriales, Comerciantes, Intermediarios, Importadores, Exportadores y Transportistas).’ National Report of the Dominican Republic 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 the Dominican Republic to the United Nations,26 May. (Q4529)Full Citation

14.

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

15.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5365)Full Citation

16.

Dominican Republic.2010.‘Registration (Registro).’ National Report of the Dominican Republic 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 the Dominican Republic to the United Nations,26 May. (Q4530)Full Citation

17.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5414)Full Citation

18.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5396)Full Citation

19.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5382)Full Citation

20.

Dominican Republic.2010.‘Tracing (Rastreo).’ National Report of the Dominican Republic 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 the Dominican Republic to the United Nations,26 May. (Q4531)Full Citation

21.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5434)Full Citation

22.

Dominican Republic.2010.‘Marking (Marcaje).’ National Report of the Dominican Republic 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 the Dominican Republic to the United Nations,26 May. (Q4532)Full Citation

23.

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

24.

REDCEPAZ.2006.‘Seized Firearms (Decomiso de Armas).’ The Problem of Illegal Arms in Central America (El problema de las Armas Ilegales en Centroamérica).Guatemala City:REDCEPAZ (Red Centroamericana para la Construcción de la Paz y la Seguridad Humana),1 March. (Q5509)Full Citation

25.

UNODA.2007.‘Central American Programme on Small Arms Control.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Central American Integration System / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,1 January. (Q3221)Full Citation

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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

29.

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

30.

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

31.

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

32.

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

33.

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