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Guyana — 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 Guyana is 110,0001 2

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Guyana is 14.63 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, Guyana ranked at No. 1342

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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, Guyana ranked at No. 453

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Number of Licensed Firearm Owners

The number of licensed gun owners in Guyana is reported to be 2,0004

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Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 Population

The rate of licensed firearm owners in Guyana is 0.265 per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Guyana is reported to be 56,0002 6

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Guyana is 7.215

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Number of Privately Owned Rifles

In Guyana, the number of rifles in civilian possession is reported to be 1944

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Number of Privately Owned Shotguns

In Guyana, the number of shotguns in civilian possession is reported to be 4,0284

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Number of Privately Owned Handguns

There are reportedly 2,7684 handguns in civilian possession in Guyana

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Estimated Number of Illicit Firearms

Unlawfully held guns cannot be counted, but in Guyana there are estimated to be 55,0001

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Guyana are reported to have 18,0001 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Guyana are reported to have 2,0001 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Guyana, annual homicides by any means total

2009: 1177
2008: 158
2007: 115
2006: 163
2005: 142
2004: 131
2003: 206
2002: 142
2001: 79
2000: 74

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

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

2009: 15.357
2008: 20.71
2007: 15.05
2006: 21.34
2005: 18.59
2004: 17.17
2003: 27.07
2002: 18.71
2001: 10.44
2000: 9.79
1999: 19.058
1998: 17.89
1996: 16.07

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Number of Suicides (any method)

In Guyana, annual suicides by any means total

2005: 1699

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

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

2005: 22.909

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Guyana, 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 practice10 11 4

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Import Control

In Guyana, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 12 13 14

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Guyana is reported to be US$78,34315 (2009)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Guyana is negligible4

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Guyana, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law16

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Guyana does not include11 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 Guyana is categorised as restrictive17

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Guyana is the Firearms Act Chapter 16:0518 4

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Guyana are regulated by the Commissioner of Police, the Task Force on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President19 11

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Guyana, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law20

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Guyana, civilians are not allowed to possess fully automatic firearms, firearms that fire noxious liquid or gas, ammunition containing noxious compounds21, sawn-off shotguns and converted imitation firearms22

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Guyana, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited21

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Guyana, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted under licence21

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Regulation of Handguns

In Guyana, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence21 22

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Guyana, only licensed gun owners23 11 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 Guyana are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, collection, personal protection, security24 4

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Guyana is 18 years25

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Guyana must pass background checks which consider criminal26 and mental24 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Guyana, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required20

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Guyana does not stipulate20 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Guyana, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required20 for a firearm licence

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Guyana are permitted to possess 1 firearm per person4

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Guyana is permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition20

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Guyana, the law requires27 28 11 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 Guyana, licensed firearm dealers are required29 27 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

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Gun Manufacturer Record Keeping

In Guyana, licensed gun makers are required29 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Guyana, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited11

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Guyana, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful10 11

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Guyana, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined20

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In Guyana, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated20 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Guyana do not include20 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 Guyana do not include20 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Government

Government regulations in Guyana include30 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Guyana do not include20 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 Guyana, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law31 11

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Firearm Tracing

In Guyana, state authorities carry out11 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In Guyana, state authorities employ11 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Guyana, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed without a permit, with some restrictions4

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Guyana, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is allowed without a permit, with some restrictions4

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Gun Free Zones

In Guyana, private guns are prohibited in any area prescribed by the Minister32

Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Guyana, it is state policy33 30 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Organization of American States

On 14 November 1997, as a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Guyana 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 ratified34 35 by Guyana

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Guyana voted to begin36 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 ratified37 by Guyana

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Guyana 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 Aspects38

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Guyana has submitted one or more national reports39 13 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Guyana, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated13

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Guyana, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated13

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Guyana submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is apparent40

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated13 by Guyana to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Guyana 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, Guyana has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196641

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list42 Guyana as a Participating State
Last Updated on 29 January 2012

Short References

1.

Karp, Aaron.2009.‘Estimated Total Small Arms, Firearms, and Surpluses in Guyana, Rounded.’ Surplus Arms in South America: A Survey.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,1 August. (Q5308)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. (Q4)Full Citation

3.

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

4.

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

5.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Guyana.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4241)Full Citation

6.

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

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.

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

10.

Guyana.1973.‘Regulation of Purchase, Possession, Manufacture and Sale or Certain Firearms and Ammunition and Other Transactions – Manufacture and Sale of Certain Firearms and Ammunition and Other Transactions.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1814)Full Citation

11.

Guyana.2010.‘Administrative Procedure.’ National Report of Guyana 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 Guyana to the United Nations,1 June. (Q3539)Full Citation

12.

Guyana.1973.‘Supervision of Importation of Firearms and Ammunition.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1811)Full Citation

13.

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

14.

Guyana.2010.‘Legislation.’ National Report of Guyana 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 Guyana to the United Nations,1 June. (Q3538)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.

Guyana.2010.‘Brokering.’ National Report of Guyana 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 Guyana to the United Nations,1 June. (Q3541)Full Citation

17.

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

18.

Guyana.1973.‘Firearms Act.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1807)Full Citation

19.

Guyana.2010.‘National Coordination Agency.’ National Report of Guyana 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 Guyana to the United Nations,1 June. (Q3537)Full Citation

20.

Guyana.1973.‘Firearms Act.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q4142)Full Citation

21.

Guyana.1973.‘Miscellaneous Provisions as to Firearms and Ammunition.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1816)Full Citation

22.

Guyana.1973.‘Miscellaneous Provisions as to Firearms and Ammunition.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1820)Full Citation

23.

Guyana.1973.‘Regulation of Purchase, Possession, Manufacture and Sale or Certain Firearms and Ammunition and Other Transactions – Purchase and Possession of Certain Firearms and Ammunition.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1812)Full Citation

24.

Guyana.1973.‘Regulation of Purchase, Possession, Manufacture and Sale or Certain Firearms and Ammunition and Other Transactions – Purchase and Possession of Certain Firearms and Ammunition.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1813)Full Citation

25.

Guyana.1973.‘Miscellaneous Provisions as to Firearms and Ammunition.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1818)Full Citation

26.

Guyana.1973.‘Miscellaneous Provisions as to Firearms and Ammunition.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1819)Full Citation

27.

Guyana.1973.‘Production of Firearms for Registration.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1808)Full Citation

28.

Guyana.1973.‘Production of Firearms for Registration.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1810)Full Citation

29.

Guyana.1973.‘Regulation of Purchase, Possession, Manufacture and Sale or Certain Firearms and Ammunition and Other Transactions – Manufacture and Sale of Certain Firearms and Ammunition and Other Transactions.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1815)Full Citation

30.

Guyana.2010.‘Military Weapons.’ National Report of Guyana 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 Guyana to the United Nations,1 June. (Q3540)Full Citation

31.

Guyana.1973.‘Production of Firearms for Registration.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1809)Full Citation

32.

Guyana.1973.‘Miscellaneous Provisions as to Firearms and Ammunition.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Firearms Act.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1817)Full Citation

33.

Guyana.1968.‘Disposal of Certain Firearms and Ammunition.’ Laws of Guyana, Chapter 16:05, Subsidiary Legislation, Firearms Regulations.Georgetown:National Assembly of Guyana,1 January. (Q1821)Full Citation

34.

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

35.

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

36.

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

37.

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

38.

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

39.

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

40.

Guyana.2010.‘Cooperation with Civil Society and NGOs.’ National Report of Guyana 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 Guyana to the United Nations,1 June. (Q3542)Full Citation

41.

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

42.

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