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Greece — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

Number of Privately Owned Firearms

The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Greece is 2,500,0001

Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Greece is 22.51 firearms per 100 people

Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Greece ranked at No. 312

Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, Greece ranked at No. 231

Number of Licensed Firearm Owners

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

Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 Population

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

Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Greece is reported to be 100,0002

Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

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

Number of Privately Owned Handguns

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

Government Guns

Number of Military Firearms

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

Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Greece are reported to have 38,9386 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Greece, annual homicides by any means total

2009: 1537
2008: 137
2007: 116
2006: 1098 7
2005: 127
2004: 947
2003: 114
2002: 72
2001: 100
2000: 819 7
1999: 155
1998: 176
1997: 1597 10
1996: 157
1995: 128

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

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

2009: 1.47
2008: 1.2
2007: 1.0
2006: 0.988 7
2005: 1.14
2004: 1.07
2003: 1.1
2002: 1.0
2001: 1.3
2000: 0.769 7
1999: 1.48
1998: 1.68
1997: 1.97
1996: 1.6
1995: 1.4
1994: 1.1411

Gun Homicides

ChartIn Greece, annual firearm homicides total

2009: 6712
2008: 62
2007: 62
2006: 3412 7
2005: 5012
2004: 41
2003: 51
2002: 33
1999: 64
1998: 74

Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2009: 0.5912
2008: 0.55
2007: 0.55
2006: 0.3112 7
2005: 0.4512
2004: 0.37
2003: 0.46
2002: 0.3
1999: 0.59
1998: 0.68
1994: 0.5913

Suicides (any method)

In Greece, annual suicides by any means total

1998: 40314

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: 3.6714
1994: 3.4015

Gun Suicides

ChartIn Greece, annual firearm suicides total

2009: 10916
2008: 99
2007: 92
2006: 95
2005: 98
2004: 91
2003: 97
2002: 82
1999: 92
1998: 86

Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

2009: 0.9716
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: 0.8417

Unintentional Gun Deaths

ChartIn Greece, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2009: 918
2008: 19
2007: 11
2006: 13
2005: 15
2004: 17
2003: 18
2002: 62
1999: 39
1998: 34

Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

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

2009: 0.0818
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: 0.0419

Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

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

1998: 014

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: 0.0014
1994: 0.0320

ProductionGun Industry

Regulation of Firearm Makers

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

Small Arms Manufacture - World Ranking

In a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, Greece is ranked 'small'21

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Regulation of Firearm Exports

In Greece, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 22 23 24 25 26

Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Greece is reported to be US$16,298,76527 (2011)

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'28

Regulation of Firearm Imports

In Greece, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 22 23 24 25 26

Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Greece is reported to be US$11,299,58627 (2011)

Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

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

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$40029

Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Greece, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law30

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Greece is categorised as restrictive31

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Greece includes the State Security Division Law 2168/933, and the Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons32 33

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Greece are regulated by the Ministry of Public Order,3 and the European Commission33

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 ammunition34 35

Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Greece, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited34 35

Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Greece, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted only with special authorisation36 37 35

Regulation of Handguns

In Greece, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted only with special authorisation34 36 37 35

Gun Owner Licensing

In Greece, only licensed gun owners38 34 36 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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, security39

Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Greece is 18 years39

Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Greece must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and domestic violence39 records

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

Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Greece is permitted to possess only ammunition suitable for the intended firearm40

Firearm Registration

Civilian Gun Registration

In Greece, the law requires41 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In Greece, licensed firearm dealers are required41 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

Gun Sales and Transfers

Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Greece, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful42 37

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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

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

Firearm Marking

In Greece, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law43 44

Firearm Tracing

In Greece, state authorities carry out45 44 41 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Carrying Guns

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 Parliament46 47

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 report48 on its arms transfers

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Greece voted to begin49 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

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 ratified50 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 Aspects51

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 reports52 43 on its implementation of the UNPoA

UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Greece, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated53 43

UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been donated43 by Greece to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Greece has declared2 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 194554

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies lists55 Greece as a Participating State


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