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Egypt — 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 Egypt is 1,900,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Egypt is 3.52 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, Egypt ranked at No. 371

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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, Egypt ranked at No. 1152

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Egypt are reported to have 2,682,5003 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Egypt are reported to have 455,0004 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Egypt, annual homicides by any means total

2006: 4405
2005: 364

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

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

2008: 0.806
2007: 0.60
2006: 0.595
2005: 0.50

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn Egypt, annual firearm homicides total

2006: 1235
2005: 101

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2006: 0.175
2005: 0.14

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Number of Gun Suicides

In Egypt, annual firearm suicides total

2000: 187

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

2000: 0.037

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Number of Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Egypt, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2000: 837

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

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

2000: 0.127

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Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

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

2000: 407

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

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

2000: 0.067

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Egypt, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence8

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Small Arms Manufacture - World Ranking

In a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, Egypt is ranked 'medium'9

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Egypt is reported to be US$2,120,99610 (2008)

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Small Arms Exports - World Ranking

In a comparison of the world's major/mid-level/minor/unknown small arms exporters, Egypt is categorized as 'unknown'11

Import Control

In Egypt, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 12

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Egypt is reported to be US$15,835,53710 (2009)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Egypt is moderate8

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Egypt is reported to be US$30013

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Egypt is categorised as restrictive14

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Egypt are regulated by the Ministry of the Interior8

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Egypt, civilians are not allowed to possess longguns8

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Regulation of Handguns

In Egypt, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence8

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Egypt, only licensed gun owners15 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 Egypt are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm15

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Egypt is 21 years15

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Egypt must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental, domestic violence, and health15 16 records

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Egypt stipulates8 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Egypt gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 3 years17

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Egypt, the law requires18 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Egypt do not include8 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 Egypt include8 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 Egypt, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law18

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Firearm Tracing

In Egypt, state authorities carry out18 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Egypt, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit17

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Egypt, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit17

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Egypt, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 1 month and a fine (life imprisonment with hard labour for certain firearms)17

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

League of Arab States

As a member of the League of Arab States, Egypt adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200219

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Egypt 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 200620

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Egypt abstained from endorsing21 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 not been signed22 by Egypt

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Egypt 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 Aspects23

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Egypt has submitted one or more national reports24 12 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Egypt, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated25 12

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Egypt, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated12

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Egypt submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is apparent12

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated12 by Egypt to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Egypt 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, Egypt has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194526

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list27 Egypt 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.

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

4.

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

5.

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

6.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Middle East and North Africa, 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. (Q3813)Full Citation

7.

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

8.

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

9.

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

10.

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

11.

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

12.

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

13.

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

14.

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

15.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5415)Full Citation

16.

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

17.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5435)Full Citation

18.

Egypt.2008.‘Marking Procedures.’ National Report of Egypt 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 Egypt to the United Nations,1 March. (Q4648)Full Citation

19.

League of Arab States / UNODA.2002.‘Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Council of the League of Arab States / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,1 January. (Q3215)Full Citation

20.

African Union / UNODA.2005.‘Windhoek Common Position.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:African Union / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 December. (Q3216)Full Citation

21.

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

22.

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

23.

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

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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