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Israel — 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 Israel is 500,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Israel is 7.32 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, Israel ranked at No. 811

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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, Israel ranked at No. 792

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Israel is reported to be 403,0001

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Israel is 5.983

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Israel are reported to have 1,757,5004 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Israel are reported to have 26,0405 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Total Number of Gun Deaths

In Israel, annual deaths resulting from firearms total

2008: 1436

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Rate of All Gun Deaths per 100,000 People

In Israel, the annual rate of all gun deaths per 100,000 population is

2008: 1.966

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Israel, annual homicides by any means total

2004: 1737
2003: 195

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

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

2008: 2.408
2007: 1.87
2006: 2.68
2004: 2.737
2003: 3.01
1993: 2.329

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn Israel, annual firearm homicides total

2008: 6110
2007: 7
2006: 50
2005: 58
2004: 67
2003: 57
2002: 91
2001: 103
2000: 74
1999: 40
1997: 15
1996: 23

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2008: 0.8310
2007: 0.1
2006: 0.71
2005: 0.84
2004: 0.98
2003: 0.85
2002: 1.39
2001: 1.6
2000: 1.18
1999: 0.65
1997: 0.26
1996: 0.4
1993: 0.7211

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Number of Suicides (any method)

In Israel, annual suicides by any means total

1997: 37912

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

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

1997: 5.8912
1993: 7.0513

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Number of Gun Suicides

ChartIn Israel, annual firearm suicides total

2008: 6014
2007: 45
2006: 83
2005: 91
2004: 61
2003: 117
2002: 81
2001: 79
2000: 74
1999: 82
1998: 67
1997: 73
1996: 69

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

2008: 0.8214
2007: 0.63
2006: 1.18
2005: 1.31
2004: 0.9
2003: 1.75
2002: 1.23
2001: 1.23
2000: 1.18
1999: 1.34
1998: 1.12
1997: 1.25
1996: 1.21
1993: 1.8415

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Number of Unintentional Gun Deaths

ChartIn Israel, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2008: 316
2007: 77
2006: 32
2005: 30
2004: 9
2003: 18
2002: 18
2001: 11
2000: 13
1999: 10
1998: 7
1997: 012

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

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

2008: 0.0416
2007: 1.07
2006: 0.45
2005: 0.43
2004: 0.13
2003: 0.27
2002: 0.27
2001: 0.17
2000: 0.21
1999: 0.16
1998: 0.12
1997: 0.0012
1993: 0.1317

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Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

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

1997: 7312

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

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

1997: 1.1312
1993: 0.3018

ProductionGun Industry

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Small Arms Manufacture - World Ranking

In a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, Israel is ranked 'medium'19

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Israel, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 20

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Israel is reported to be US$116,879,00021 (2009)22 23

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Small Arms Exports - World Ranking

In a comparison of the world's major/mid-level/minor/unknown small arms exporters, Israel is categorized as 'unknown'24 23

Import Control

In Israel, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 20

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Israel is reported to be US$14,965,95421 (2009)

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Israel is reported to be US$3,00025

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Israel, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law20 26

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Transparency of Small Arms Transfers

In the most recent survey of state transparency when declaring firearm and ammunition exports, Israel was ranked number 24 among 49 major small arms exporting nations in 2011, with a score of 10.75 points of a possible total of 2527

MeasuresGun Regulation

Gun Owner Licensing

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Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Licence

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Israel are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, self-defence, hunting and sport28 29

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Israel is 27 years and 21 years if served in the military28

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Israel must pass background checks which consider health, mental and criminal28 records

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Israel gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 3 years30

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Licensing Records

In Israel, authorities maintain a record31 32 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Israel is permitted to possess a limited quantity of ammunition33

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Israel, the law requires31 32 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 Manufacturer Record Keeping

In Israel, licensed gun makers are required34 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Israel, State agencies are required35 32 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Israel include30 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Israel, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law36 37

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Firearm Tracing

In Israel, state authorities carry out32 38 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Israel, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed without a permit30

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Israel, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is allowed without a permit30

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Israel, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 10 years of prison term30

MeasuresInternational Controls

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Israel voted to begin39 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 signed40 by Israel

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Israel 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 Aspects41

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Israel has submitted one or more national reports42 26 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Israel, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated43 26

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Israel, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated43

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated26 by Israel to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Israel 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, Israel has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194944

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list45 Israel as a Participating State
Last Updated on 14 April 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.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Israel.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4246)Full Citation

4.

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

5.

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

6.

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

7.

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

8.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Middle East and North Africa, 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. (Q3813)Full Citation

9.

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

10.

WHO.2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Gun Homicide in Israel.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,14 February. (Q6095)Full Citation

11.

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

12.

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

13.

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

14.

WHO.2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Gun Suicide in Israel.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,29 February. (Q6150)Full Citation

15.

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

16.

WHO.2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Unintentional Gun Deaths in Israel.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,12 March. (Q6189)Full Citation

17.

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

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. (Q1300)Full Citation

19.

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

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.

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

22.

Berman, Eric.2011.‘Small Arms Transfers: Exporting States.’ Weapons and Markets.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,25 October. (Q5982)Full Citation

23.

Herron, Patrick, Jasna Lazarevic, Nic Marsh and Matt Schroeder.2011.‘Top Exporters and Importers of Small Arms in 2008.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5983)Full Citation

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

27.

Lazarevic, Jasna.2011.‘Small Arms Trade Transparency Barometer 2011, covering major exporters.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5354)Full Citation

28.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5419)Full Citation

29.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5396)Full Citation

30.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5438)Full Citation

31.

Israel.2008.‘National Level - Civilian Register.’ National Report of Israel 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 Israel to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4656)Full Citation

32.

Israel.2008.‘Record Keeping.’ National Report of Israel on its Implementation of the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, In a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (ITI).New York:Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4658)Full Citation

33.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5391)Full Citation

34.

Israel.2008.‘Measures by Israeli Manufacturers Relating to the Marking and Recording of SALW – Recording.’ National Report of Israel on its Implementation of the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, In a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (ITI).New York:Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4661)Full Citation

35.

Israel.2008.‘National Level - State Stockpiles.’ National Report of Israel 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 Israel to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4655)Full Citation

36.

Israel.2008.‘Marking.’ National Report of Israel on its Implementation of the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, In a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (ITI).New York:Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4657)Full Citation

37.

Israel.2008.‘Measures by Israeli Manufacturers Relating to the Marking and Recording of SALW – Marking.’ National Report of Israel on its Implementation of the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, In a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (ITI).New York:Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4660)Full Citation

38.

Israel.2008.‘Tracing.’ National Report of Israel on its Implementation of the International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, In a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (ITI).New York:Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4659)Full Citation

39.

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

40.

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

41.

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

42.

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

43.

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

44.

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

45.

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