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Kazakhstan — 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 Kazakhstan is 200,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Kazakhstan is 1.32 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, Kazakhstan ranked at No. 1161

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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, Kazakhstan ranked at No. 1422

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Kazakhstan are reported to have 757,0003 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Kazakhstan are reported to have 42,0564 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Kazakhstan, annual homicides by any means total

2006: 1,7295
2005: 1,804
1997: 2,5816
1996: 2,625
1995: 2,447

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

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

2007: 10.607
2006: 11.295
2005: 11.86
1997: 16.336
1996: 16.49
1995: 15.23

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn Kazakhstan, annual firearm homicides total

2006: 715
2005: 99
1997: 2176
1996: 185
1995: 173

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2006: 0.465
2005: 0.65
1997: 1.376
1996: 1.16
1995: 1.08

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Number of Suicides (any method)

In Kazakhstan, annual suicides by any means total

1999: 4,0048

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

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

1999: 25.948

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Number of Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Kazakhstan, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

1997: 838

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

In Kazakhstan, the annual rate of unintentional shooting death per 100,000 population is

1997: 0.548

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Kazakhstan, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 9

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Kazakhstan is reported to be US$87010 (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, Kazakhstan is categorized as 'unknown'11

Import Control

In Kazakhstan, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 9

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Kazakhstan is reported to be US$8,527,23610 (2009)

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Kazakhstan, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law12

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Kazakhstan, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms and handguns13

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Kazakhstan, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited13

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Kazakhstan, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is not specifically prohibited in law13

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Regulation of Handguns

In Kazakhstan, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited13

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Kazakhstan, only licensed gun owners14 15 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Kazakhstan is 18 years15

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Kazakhstan must pass background checks which consider medical (including mental) and criminal16 15 records

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Kazakhstan gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 5 years17

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Kazakhstan, the law requires13 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Kazakhstan, State agencies are required18 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 Kazakhstan include19 17 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 Kazakhstan, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law20

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Kazakhstan, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit21 17

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Kazakhstan, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit21 17

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Kazakhstan, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 1-5 monthly salaries17

MeasuresInternational Controls

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Kazakhstan voted to begin22 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 ratified23 by Kazakhstan

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Kazakhstan 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 Aspects24

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Kazakhstan has submitted one or more national reports25 12 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Kazakhstan, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated26 12

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Kazakhstan, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated26

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Kazakhstan submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent26 12

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated12 by Kazakhstan to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided12 to Kazakhstan by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Kazakhstan 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, Kazakhstan has been a Member State of the United Nations since 199227

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list28 Kazakhstan as a Participating State
Last Updated on 29 January 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.

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

4.

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

5.

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

6.

UNODC.2001.‘Kazakhstan: Total Recorded Intentional Homicides (Completed) and Total Recorded Intentional Homicides Committed With a Firearm.’ Sixth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems, covering the period 1995-1997.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,27 June. (Q1337)Full Citation

7.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Europe and Central Asia, 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. (Q3816)Full Citation

8.

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

9.

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

10.

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

11.

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

12.

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

13.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5370)Full Citation

14.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5387)Full Citation

15.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5421)Full Citation

16.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5382)Full Citation

17.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5440)Full Citation

18.

Kazakhstan.2010.‘Stockpile Management and Security – State-Owned Firearm Records.’ National Report of Kazakhstan 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 Kazakhstan to the United Nations,29 June. (Q4559)Full Citation

19.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5403)Full Citation

20.

Kazakhstan.2010.‘Marking, Record Keeping and Tracing – Marking.’ National Report of Kazakhstan 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 Kazakhstan to the United Nations,29 June. (Q4560)Full Citation

21.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5408)Full Citation

22.

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

23.

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

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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