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Greece — 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 Greece is 2,500,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Greece is 22.52 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, Greece ranked at No. 311

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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, Greece ranked at No. 232

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Number of Licensed Firearm Owners

The number of licensed gun owners in Greece is reported to be 3,1803

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Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 Population

The rate of licensed firearm owners in Greece is 0.034 per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Greece is reported to be 100,0001

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Greece is 0.944

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Number of Privately Owned Handguns

There are reportedly 5,0003 handguns in civilian possession in Greece

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Greece are reported to have 1,532,5005 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Greece are reported to have 38,9386 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Greece, annual homicides by any means total

2006: 1097
2005: 127
2000: 818
1999: 155
1998: 176
1997: 2039
1996: 169
1995: 151

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

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

2006: 0.987
2005: 1.14
2000: 0.768
1999: 1.48
1998: 1.68
1994: 1.1410

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn Greece, annual firearm homicides total

2009: 6711
2008: 62
2007: 62
2006: 34
2005: 50
2004: 41
2003: 51
2002: 33
1999: 64
1998: 74

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2009: 0.5911
2008: 0.55
2007: 0.55
2006: 0.31
2005: 0.45
2004: 0.37
2003: 0.46
2002: 0.3
1999: 0.59
1998: 0.68
1994: 0.5912

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Number of Suicides (any method)

In Greece, annual suicides by any means total

1998: 40313

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

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

1998: 3.6713
1994: 3.4014

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Number of Gun Suicides

ChartIn Greece, annual firearm suicides total

2009: 10915
2008: 99
2007: 92
2006: 95
2005: 98
2004: 91
2003: 97
2002: 82
1999: 92
1998: 86

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

2009: 0.9715
2008: 0.88
2007: 0.82
2006: 0.85
2005: 0.88
2004: 0.82
2003: 0.88
2002: 0.75
1999: 0.85
1998: 0.79
1994: 0.8416

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Number of Unintentional Gun Deaths

ChartIn Greece, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2009: 917
2008: 19
2007: 11
2006: 13
2005: 15
2004: 17
2003: 18
2002: 62
1999: 39
1998: 34

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

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

2009: 0.0817
2008: 0.17
2007: 0.1
2006: 0.12
2005: 0.14
2004: 0.15
2003: 0.16
2002: 0.56
1999: 0.36
1998: 0.31
1994: 0.0418

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Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

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

1998: 013

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

ChartIn Greece, the annual rate of unknown-cause shooting deaths per 100,000 population is

1998: 0.0013
1994: 0.0319

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

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

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Small Arms Manufacture - World Ranking

In a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, Greece is ranked 'small'20

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Greece, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 21 22 23 24 25

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Greece is reported to be US$3,663,96126 (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, Greece is categorized as 'unknown'27

Import Control

In Greece, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 21 22 23 24 25

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Greece is reported to be US$20,620,70226 (2009)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

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

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Greece is reported to be US$40028

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Greece, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law29

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Greece is categorised as restrictive30

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Greece is the State Security Division Law 2168/933, and the Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons31 32

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Greece are regulated by the Ministry of Public Order,3 and the European Commission32

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Greece, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects, and armour-piercing, incendiary and expanding ammunition33 34

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Greece, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited33 34

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Greece, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted only with special authorisation35 36 34

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Regulation of Handguns

In Greece, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted only with special authorisation33 35 36 34

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Greece, only licensed gun owners37 33 35 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 Greece are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, personal protection, security38

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Greece is 18 years38

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Greece must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and domestic violence38 records

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Greece stipulates (violent behaviour)3 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Greece is permitted to possess only ammunition suitable for the intended firearm39

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Greece, the law requires40 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 Greece, licensed firearm dealers are required40 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 Dealer Gun Sales

In Greece, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful41 36

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Greece 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 Greece 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 Greece, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law42 43

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Firearm Tracing

In Greece, state authorities carry out44 43 40 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Greece, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed without a permit, with some restrictions3

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

European Union

As a member of the European Union, Greece 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 Parliament45 46

European Union Export Reporting

Under the European Union Common Position on Arms Exports, Greece 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 Greece has yet to submit a national report47 on its arms transfers

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Greece voted to begin48 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, but not yet ratified49 by Greece

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Greece 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 Aspects50

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Greece has submitted one or more national reports51 42 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Greece, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated52 42

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been donated42 by Greece to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Greece has 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, Greece has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194553

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies lists54 Greece as a Participating State
Last Updated on 14 April 2012

Short References

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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

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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

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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

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GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Greece.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4239)Full Citation

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

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

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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

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UNODC.2004.‘Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed.’ Seventh United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (1998-2000).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,19 March. (Q91)Full Citation

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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

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Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1301)Full Citation

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WHO.2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Gun Homicide in Greece.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,14 February. (Q6074)Full Citation

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Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1297)Full Citation

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

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Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1302)Full Citation

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WHO.2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Gun Suicide in Greece.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,27 February. (Q6146)Full Citation

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Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1298)Full Citation

17.

WHO.2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Unintentional Gun Deaths in Greece.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,9 March. (Q6186)Full Citation

18.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1299)Full Citation

19.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1300)Full Citation

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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

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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

22.

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

23.

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

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

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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

28.

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

29.

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

30.

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

31.

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

32.

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

33.

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

34.

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

35.

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

36.

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

37.

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

38.

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

39.

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

40.

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

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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

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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

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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. (Q323)Full Citation

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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

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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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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

50.

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51.

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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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