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Fiji — 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 Fiji is 4,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Fiji is 0.52 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, Fiji ranked at No. 1761

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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, Fiji ranked at No. 1692

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Number of Licensed Firearm Owners

The number of licensed gun owners in Fiji is reported to be 1,3993

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Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 Population

The rate of licensed firearm owners in Fiji is 0.174 per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Fiji is reported to be 1,5385

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Fiji is 0.194

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Fiji are reported to have 19,0006 firearms

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Routine Arming of Police

In Fiji, police officers on routine patrol do not carry a firearm7

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Fiji are reported to have 5718 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

Number of Homicides (any method)

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

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

2004: 1.759
2003: 3.10
2002: 0.90
1997: 1.74
1996: 1.68
1995: 3.12

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Number of Suicides (any method)

In Fiji, annual suicides by any means total

1996: 010

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

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

1996: 0.0010

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Number of Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Fiji, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

1996: 010

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

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

1996: 0.0010

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Fiji, 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 practice11 3

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Fiji, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 12 13 14

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Fiji is reported to be US$24,58015 (2009)

Import Control

In Fiji, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 12 16 17 18 19 13 14

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Fiji is reported to be US$13,18015 (2009)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Fiji is low3 14

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Fiji, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law20

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Fiji do not include21 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Fiji is categorised as restrictive22

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Fiji is the Arms and Ammunition Bill 200323

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Fiji are regulated by the Commissioner of Police, and the Minister of Police24 11 25 26 27 28

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Fiji, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law21

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Fiji, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic weapons and those converted to have a barrel length less than 24 inches29 30

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Fiji, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited29

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Fiji, only licensed gun owners24 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 Fiji are not required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm21 31

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Fiji is 21 years32

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Fiji must pass background checks which consider criminal and mental24 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Fiji, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required21

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Fiji does not stipulate21 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Fiji, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required26 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Fiji gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 1 year33 26

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Licensing Records

In Fiji, authorities maintain a record33 26 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Fiji are permitted to possess any number of firearms21

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Fiji is permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition21

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Fiji, the law requires34 33 35 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 Fiji, licensed firearm dealers are required36 37 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Fiji, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited36 37

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Fiji, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful36 37

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Fiji, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined21

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In Fiji, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated21 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Fiji include38 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 Fiji include36 39 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Fiji do not include21 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 Fiji, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law35 33

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Firearm Tracing

In Fiji, state authorities carry out40 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In Fiji, state authorities do not employ21 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Fiji, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is prohibited41

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Fiji, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is prohibited41

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Gun Free Zones

In Fiji, private guns are prohibited in all public places41

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Fiji, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is up to 5 years prison and/or a $50,000 fine42

Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Fiji, it is not state policy43 44 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Pacific Islands Forum

As a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Fiji adopted the March, 2000 Nadi Framework agreement, which aims to harmonise small arms-related legislation across Oceania. In August 2003, the Nadi Framework’s draft model Weapons Control Bill was unanimously accepted for consideration by all 16 member states of the Pacific Islands Forum45 46

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Fiji voted to begin47 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 signed48 by Fiji

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Fiji 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 Aspects49

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Fiji has submitted one or more national reports50 51 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Fiji, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated52 51

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Fiji, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated52 51

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Fiji submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is apparent51

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been donated51 by Fiji to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided51 to Fiji by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Fiji 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, Fiji has been a Member State of the United Nations since 197053

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list54 Fiji 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 – Fiji.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4234)Full Citation

5.

Fiji.2001.‘Summary of Firearms by Category.’ Police Fact Sheet.Nadi:Fiji Police,1 May. (Q420)Full Citation

6.

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

7.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Stockpiles and Trafficking in the Pacific: Police Inventories.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q145)Full Citation

8.

Karp, Aaron.2003.‘Fewer Blanks: Global Firearm Stockpiles: Firearms of the Pacific.’ Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q423)Full Citation

9.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘East Asia and the Pacific, 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. (Q3814)Full Citation

10.

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

11.

Fiji.2003.‘Prohibition on the Manufacture of Arms and Ammunition.’ Arms and Ammunition Act (2003).Suva:Parliament of Fiji Islands,1 January. (Q446)Full Citation

12.

Fiji.2003.‘Import and Export Licensing.’ Arms and Ammunition Act (2003).Suva:Parliament of Fiji Islands,1 January. (Q450)Full Citation

13.

Fiji.2003.‘Arms and Ammunition in Transit.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4889)Full Citation

14.

Fiji.2003.‘Concealing and Trafficking Arms and Ammunition.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4890)Full Citation

15.

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

16.

Fiji.2003.‘Import and Export Licensing.’ Arms and Ammunition Act (2003).Suva:Parliament of Fiji Islands,1 January. (Q451)Full Citation

17.

Fiji.2003.‘Exemption from Arms Licences.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4882)Full Citation

18.

Fiji.2003.‘Ports and Places of Import and Export.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4887)Full Citation

19.

Fiji.2003.‘Declaration of Arms and Ammunition on Importation.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4888)Full Citation

20.

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

21.

Fiji.2003.‘Preliminary.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4881)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.

Fiji.2003.‘Preliminary.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4880)Full Citation

24.

Fiji.2003.‘Licence May Be Refused.’ Arms and Ammunition Act (2003).Suva:Parliament of Fiji Islands,1 January. (Q434)Full Citation

25.

Fiji.2003.‘Power to Grant Amnesty.’ Arms and Ammunition Act (2003).Suva:Parliament of Fiji Islands,1 January. (Q441)Full Citation

26.

Fiji.2003.‘Issue and Renewal of Arms Licences.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4827)Full Citation

27.

Fiji.2003.‘Prohibition of Arms in Certain Areas.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4891)Full Citation

28.

Fiji.2003.‘Regulations.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4895)Full Citation

29.

Fiji.2003.‘Shortening Arms, Converting Imitation Arms and Automatic Weapons.’ Arms and Ammunition Act (2003).Suva:Parliament of Fiji Islands,1 January. (Q435)Full Citation

30.

Fiji.2003.‘Shortening Arms and Converting Imitation Arms into Arms.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4885)Full Citation

31.

Fiji.2003.‘Issue and Renewal of Arms Licences.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4879)Full Citation

32.

Fiji.2003.‘Licence May Be Refused.’ Arms and Ammunition Act (2003).Suva:Parliament of Fiji Islands,1 January. (Q433)Full Citation

33.

Fiji.2003.‘Marking of Arms and Identification Cards.’ Arms and Ammunition Act (2003).Suva:Parliament of Fiji Islands,1 January. (Q439)Full Citation

34.

Fiji.2004.‘Manufacture, Marking, Record Keeping and Tracing.’ National Report of Fiji 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 Fiji to the United Nations,1 July. (Q438)Full Citation

35.

Fiji.2008.‘Legislation, Regulations, Administrative Procedures.’ National Report of Fiji 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 Fiji to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4649)Full Citation

36.

Fiji.2003.‘Dealer Licences.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4883)Full Citation

37.

Fiji.2003.‘Purchase, Sale or Acquisition of Arms or Ammunition.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4886)Full Citation

38.

Fiji.2003.‘Security of Arms and Ammunition.’ Arms and Ammunition Act (2003).Suva:Parliament of Fiji Islands,1 January. (Q436)Full Citation

39.

Fiji.2003.‘Storage and Safe Custody of Arms and Ammunition.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4884)Full Citation

40.

Fiji.2008.‘Marking, Recordkeeping and Tracing.’ National Report of Fiji 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 Fiji to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4650)Full Citation

41.

Fiji.2003.‘Carrying Arms in a Public Place.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4892)Full Citation

42.

Fiji.2003.‘Penalties.’ Arms and Ammunition Act (2003).Suva:Parliament of Fiji Islands,1 January. (Q443)Full Citation

43.

Fiji.2003.‘Deposit of Arms and Ammunition at Police Station.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4894)Full Citation

44.

Fiji.2003.‘Disposal of Detained Arms and Ammunition.’ Arms and Ammunition Bill (2003).Suva:House of Representatives,1 January. (Q4893)Full Citation

45.

SPCPC/OCO.2000.‘Towards a Common Approach to Weapons Control: The 'Nadi Framework'.’ South Pacific Chiefs of Police Conference (SPCPC) and Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO).Nadi, Fiji:Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat,10 March. (Q576)Full Citation

46.

Baker, Jean.2000.‘Weapons Control Bill: Explanatory Notes.’ Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.Suva, Fiji:Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat,10 March. (Q577)Full Citation

47.

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

48.

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

49.

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

50.

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

51.

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

52.

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

53.

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

54.

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