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Laos — 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 Laos is 71,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Laos is 1.22 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, Laos ranked at No. 1451

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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, Laos ranked at No. 1452

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Laos are reported to have 104,6903 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Laos are reported to have 16,0894 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

Number of Homicides (any method)

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

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

2004: 5.405
2002: 5.70

Number of Suicides (any method)

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

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

2004: 5.405
2002: 5.70

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Laos, 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 practice6

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Home-made Guns

In Laos the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be moderate7

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Laos, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 8

Import Control

In Laos, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 8

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Laos is reported to be US$177,9439 (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 Laos is reported to be US$30010

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Laos, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law8

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Laos is categorised as restrictive11

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Laos is the Laos, 1990, No. 29/SPS: Criminal Law12

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Laos, only licensed gun owners (for those of high social standing only)13 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 Laos are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting14 15

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Laos must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental, medical and domestic violence16 records

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Laos stipulates16 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Laos, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required16 for a firearm licence

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Laos include16 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Laos, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 6 months to 10 years prison17

MeasuresInternational Controls

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Laos was absent from voting on18 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 ratified19 by Laos

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Laos 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 Aspects20

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Laos has yet to submit a national report21 22 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Laos, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated23 22

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Laos, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated23 22

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated22 by Laos to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Laos 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, Laos has been a Member State of the United Nations since 195524

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list25 Laos 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.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘East Asia and the Pacific, 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. (Q3814)Full Citation

6.

Capie, David.2002.‘ASEAN country studies: Lao People's Democratic Republic.’ Small Arms Production and Transfers in South East Asia.Canberra:Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University,1 January. (Q1032)Full Citation

7.

Small Arms Survey.2001.‘Illicit Production – South East Asia.’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q1062)Full Citation

8.

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

9.

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

10.

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

11.

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

12.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Guiding Policy – Laos.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q1504)Full Citation

13.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Firearm Licensing.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q1024)Full Citation

14.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘General Preconditions for Licence Applications.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q75)Full Citation

15.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Categories of Arms Licensed for Private Possession.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q1025)Full Citation

16.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Licensing Criteria.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q1932)Full Citation

17.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Penalty Comparison.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q83)Full Citation

18.

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

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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

22.

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

23.

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

24.

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

25.

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