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Iceland — 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 (both licit and illicit) held by civilians in Iceland is 90,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The estimated rate of private gun ownership (both licit and illicit) in Iceland is 30.31 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, Iceland ranked at No. 1412

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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 178 countries, Iceland ranked at No. 151

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Proportion of Households with Firearms

In Iceland, the percentage of households with one or more guns is reported to be

2004/05: 23.5%3

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Proportion of Households with Rifles

In Iceland, the percentage of households with one or more rifles is reported to be

2005: 49%4

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Proportion of Households with Shotguns

In Iceland, the percentage of households with one or more shotguns is reported to be

2005: 82%4

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Proportion of Households with Handguns

In Iceland, the percentage of households with one or more handguns is reported to be

2004/05: 1.4%3 4

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Iceland are reported to have 3755 firearms

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Routine Arming of Police

In Iceland, police officers on routine patrol do not carry a firearm6

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Iceland are reported to have 1,0397 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Total Number of Gun Deaths

ChartIn Iceland, annual deaths resulting from firearms total

2009: 48 9
2008: 410
2007: 611 10
2006: 8
2005: 5
2004: 410
2003: 5
2002: 3
2001: 6
2000: 811 10
1999: 310
1998: 3
1997: 7
1996: 711 10

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Rate of All Gun Deaths per 100,000 People

ChartIn Iceland, the annual rate of all gun deaths per 100,000 population is

2009: 1.258 9
2008: 1.3112
2007: 1.99
2006: 2.67
2005: 1.68
2004: 1.36
2003: 1.72
2002: 1.04
2001: 2.11
2000: 2.85
1999: 1.08
1998: 1.09
1997: 2.58
1996: 2.60

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Iceland, annual homicides by any means total

2012: 113 14
2011: 313 15
2010: 2
2009: 1
2008: 0
2007: 2
2006: 0
2005: 3
2004: 313 16
2003: 0
2002: 413 17
2001: 1
2000: 513 18
1999: 218
1998: 015
1997: 2
1996: 1
1995: 0

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

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

2012: 0.313 14
2011: 0.913 15
2010: 0.6
2009: 0.3
2008: 0.0
2007: 0.7
2006: 0.0
2005: 1.0
2004: 1.013 16
2003: 0.0
2002: 1.413 17
2001: 0.4
2000: 1.813 18
1999: 0.7218
1998: 0.015
1997: 0.7
1996: 0.4
1995: 0.0

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Iceland, annual firearm homicides total

2012: 013
2011: 0
2010: 0
2009: 013 15
2008: 0
2007: 111 13 15
2006: 1
2005: 1
2004: 016
2003: 0
2000: 111
1996: 1

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2012: 0.0012
2011: 0.00
2010: 0.00
2009: 0.0012 15
2008: 0.00
2007: 0.3211 12 15
2006: 0.33
2005: 0.34
2004: 0.0016
2003: 0.00
2000: 0.3611
1996: 0.37

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Proportion of Homicides Committed With a Gun

ChartIn Iceland, the percentage of homicides committed with a firearm is reported to be

2012: 0%13
2011: 0%
2010: 0%
2009: 0%
2008: 0%
2007: 50%
2006: 0%
2005: 0%
2004: 0.0%15
2003: 0.0%

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Long Gun Homicides

In Iceland, annual long gun homicides total

1996: 111

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Rate of Long Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

In Iceland, the annual rate of long gun homicide per 100,000 population is

1996: 0.3711

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Gun Homicides (Other)

ChartIn Iceland, annual gun homicides (other) total

2007: 111
2006: 1
2005: 1
2000: 1

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Rate of Gun Homicide (Other) per 100,000 People

ChartIn Iceland, the annual rate of gun homicide (other) per 100,000 population is

2007: 0.3211
2006: 0.33
2005: 0.34
2000: 0.36

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Gun Suicides

ChartIn Iceland, annual firearm suicides total

2009: 410 9
2008: 410
2007: 5
2006: 7
2005: 4
2004: 4
2003: 5
2002: 3
2001: 6
2000: 7
1999: 3
1998: 3
1997: 7
1996: 6

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

2009: 1.2510 9
2008: 1.2510
2007: 1.61
2006: 2.3
2005: 1.35
2004: 1.37
2003: 1.73
2002: 1.04
2001: 2.1
2000: 2.49
1999: 1.08
1998: 1.1
1997: 2.58
1996: 2.23

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Handgun Suicides

In Iceland, annual handgun suicides total

1997: 110

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Rate of Handgun Suicide per 100,000 People

In Iceland, the annual rate of handgun suicide per 100,000 population is

1997: 0.3710

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Long Gun Suicides

ChartIn Iceland, the number of long gun suicides is

2009: 410
2008: 3
2007: 1
2006: 6
2005: 3
2004: 1
2003: 5
2002: 1
2001: 3
2000: 4
1999: 2
1997: 2
1996: 3

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Rate of Long Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Iceland, the annual rate of long gun suicide per 100,000 population is

2009: 1.2510
2008: 0.94
2007: 0.32
2006: 1.97
2005: 1.01
2004: 0.34
2003: 1.73
2002: 0.35
2001: 1.05
2000: 1.42
1999: 0.72
1997: 0.74
1996: 1.12

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Gun Suicides (Other)

ChartIn Iceland, annual gun suicides (other) total

2008: 110
2007: 4
2006: 1
2005: 1
2004: 3
2002: 2
2001: 3
2000: 3
1999: 1
1998: 3
1997: 4
1996: 3

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Rate of Gun Suicide (Other) per 100,000 People

ChartIn Iceland, the annual rate of gun suicide (other) per 100,000 population is

2008: 0.3110
2007: 1.28
2006: 0.33
2005: 0.34
2004: 1.03
2002: 0.70
2001: 1.05
2000: 1.07
1999: 0.36
1998: 1.10
1997: 1.48
1996: 1.12

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Regulation of Firearm Exports

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Iceland is reported by Customs to be US$3,20719 (2011)

Regulation of Firearm Imports

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Iceland is reported by Customs to be US$1,987,80019 (2011)

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Iceland, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law20 21

Restricted Firearms and Ammunition

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Law Regulates Automatic Weapons

In Iceland, civilian possession of automatic weapons is regulated by law14

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Law Regulates Handguns

In Iceland, civilian possession of handguns is regulated by law14

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Law Regulates Long Guns

In Iceland, civilian possession of rifles and shotguns is regulated by law14

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Gun Ownership and Possession

In Iceland, only licensed gun owners22 14 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Iceland must pass a background check which considers undefined14 records

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Licensing Records

In Iceland, authorities maintain a record22 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Iceland, the law requires22 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 Iceland, licensed firearm dealers are required23 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 Iceland, licensed gun makers are required23 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Iceland, State agencies are required24 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Iceland, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law25

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Firearm Tracing

In Iceland, state authorities carry out26 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Carrying Guns

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Law Regulates Firearms in Public

In Iceland, carrying a gun in a public place is regulated by law14

MeasuresInternational Controls

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Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development

The Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, a diplomatic initiative aimed at addressing the interrelations between armed violence and development, was signed in 200727 by Iceland.

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United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

The United Nations Arms Trade Treaty has been signed and ratified28 by Iceland

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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 ratified29 by Iceland

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Iceland 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 Aspects30

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UNPoA Implementation Monitor Score

In its UN small arms Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (PoAIM Phase 1), the Small Arms Survey scored Iceland against its commitments to the PoA, then ranked it at No. 7331 32 33 34 among 159 Member States

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Iceland has submitted one or more national reports35 36 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Iceland, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated37 36

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Iceland submitted to the UN from 2001 to 2010, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities was apparent36

UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated36 by Iceland to other UN Member States

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United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Iceland has declared38 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Iceland has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194639

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list40 Iceland as a Participating State

BackgroundCountry Profile

Link
Global Peace Index

To see where Iceland ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index

Short References

1.

Karp, Aaron.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms - Annexe online.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q5)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.

van Dijk, Jan, John van Kesteren and Paul Smit.2007.‘Ownership of Firearms and Handguns in Countries and Main Cities (percentages): 1989-2005 ICVS and 2005 EU ICS.’ Criminal Victimisation in International Perspective: Key findings from the 2004-2005 ICVS and EU ICS.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime / UNODC,1 January. (Q11804)Full Citation

4.

Duquet, Nils and Maarten Van Alstein.2015.‘Percentage of Types of Firearm Possessed [by Households] in European Countries, 2004-2005.’ Firearms and Violent Deaths in Europe: An Exploratory Analysis of the Linkages Between Gun Ownership, Firearms Legislation and Violent Death.Brussels:Flemish Peace Institute,25 June. (Q12045)Full Citation

5.

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

6.

Andrew Clarke. 2013. ‘Why is Violent Crime So Rare in Iceland?.’ BBC News. 16 May. (N289) Full Citation

7.

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

8.

WHO.2011.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death - Total Firearm Death.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,15 September. (Q5684)Full Citation

9.

Waiselfiz, Julio Jacobo.2015.‘Number and Rate of Gun Deaths in 90 Countries (Número e taxas de mortalidade por AF segundo causa básica em 90 países do mundo).’ Violence Map: Deaths by Firearms (Mapa da Violência: Mortes Matadas por Armas de Fogo).Brasilia:Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales / Latin American Social Sciences Institute,1 January. (Q11896)Full Citation

10.

WHO.2016.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death - Gun Suicide in Iceland.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,13 July. (Q6148)Full Citation

11.

WHO.2016.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death - Gun Homicide in Iceland.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,13 July. (Q6076)Full Citation

12.

GunPolicy.org.2015.‘Calculated Rates - Iceland.’ Historical Population Data - USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,18 June. (Q8730)Full Citation

13.

UNODC.2014.‘Homicides and Gun Homicides in Iceland.’ Global Study on Homicide 2013: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),10 April. (Q10316)Full Citation

14.

Butchart, Alexander, Christopher Mikton and Etienne Krug.2014.‘Country Profile: Iceland.’ Global Status Report on Violence Prevention 2014.Geneva:World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),10 December. (Q9499)Full Citation

15.

UNODC.2013.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Iceland.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,26 June. (Q6272)Full Citation

16.

UNODC.2006.‘Reported Overall Homicide Numbers and Rates per 100,000 Population for 64 Countries, 2003-04.’ Ninth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2003 - 2004).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q9)Full Citation

17.

UNODC.2005.‘Recorded Homicide and Firearm Homicide in 53 Countries, Completed or Attempted.’ Eighth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2001-2002).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,15 April. (Q1077)Full Citation

18.

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

19.

Marsh, Nicholas.2014.‘Database of Authorised Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons.’ NISAT Small Arms Trade Database.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,22 December. (Q16)Full Citation

20.

Sherman, Amy and Tom Ginsburg.2014.‘Gun Rights in National Constitutions.’ Marco Rubio Says Second Amendment Is Unique in Speech to NRA.Miami, FL:Miami Herald (PolitiFact Florida),29 April. (Q8507)Full Citation

21.

Zachary Elkins, Tom Ginsburg and James Melton. 2013. ‘U.S. Gun Rights Truly Are American Exceptionalism.’ Bloomberg (USA). 7 March. (N422) Full Citation

22.

Iceland.2008.‘Legislation, Regulations, Administrative Procedures - Licensing and Civilian Gun Registration.’ National Report of Iceland 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, NY:Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations,7 April. (Q4792)Full Citation

23.

Iceland.2008.‘Legislation, Regulations, Administrative Procedures - Shop Owners and Manufacturers.’ National Report of Iceland 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, NY:Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations,7 April. (Q4791)Full Citation

24.

Iceland.2008.‘Stockpile Management and Security.’ National Report of Iceland 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, NY:Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations,7 April. (Q4793)Full Citation

25.

Iceland.2008.‘Marking, Record Keeping and Tracing - Marking.’ National Report of Iceland 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, NY:Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations,7 April. (Q4794)Full Citation

26.

Iceland.2008.‘Marking, Record Keeping and Tracing - Tracing.’ National Report of Iceland 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, NY:Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations,7 April. (Q4795)Full Citation

27.

GDAV.2006.‘Geneva Declaration.’ Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development.Geneva:Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development Secretariat,7 June. (Q7162)Full Citation

28.

UNODA.2013.‘Towards Entry Into Force.’ Arms Trade Treaty.New York, NY:United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,2 April. (Q7226)Full Citation

29.

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, NY:UN General Assembly,31 May. (Q17)Full Citation

30.

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, NY:UN General Assembly,20 July. (Q18)Full Citation

31.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘Findings - Table 3: Reporting States by Rank and Score.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8752)Full Citation

32.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘What do the PoAIM Scores Represent? How Should the PoAIM Scores Be Interpreted?.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8753)Full Citation

33.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘Point Allocation System.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8754)Full Citation

34.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘Introduction.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8755)Full Citation

35.

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

36.

UNODA.2015.‘PoA-ISS Country Profiles.’ UN small arms Programme of Action (UNPoA) - Implementation Support System.New York, NY:United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs,11 September. (Q1309)Full Citation

37.

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, NY:International Action Network on Small Arms and the Biting the Bullet project,26 June. (Q166)Full Citation

38.

UNODA.2011.‘National Reports on Small Arms Exports.’ United Nations Register of Conventional Arms - The Global Reported Arms Trade.New York, NY:United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,21 October. (Q14)Full Citation

39.

UN.2013.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York, NY:United Nations General Assembly,7 April. (Q290)Full Citation

40.

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