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Lebanon — 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 Lebanon is 750,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Lebanon is 21.01 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, Lebanon ranked at No. 582

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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, Lebanon ranked at No. 281

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Lebanon are reported to have 28,5003 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Lebanon are reported to have 17,6974 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Lebanon, annual homicides by any means total

2010: 955
2006: 236
2005: 94

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

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

2010: 2.25
2009: 1.9
2008: 1.7
2007: 2.65 7
2006: 2.15
2005: 3.8
2004: 3.1

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Lebanon, annual firearm homicides total

2006: 316
2005: 8

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2006: 0.766
2005: 0.20

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Lebanon, 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 practice8

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Regulation of Firearm Exports

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

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Lebanon is reported to be US$1,063,14310 (2011)

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Regulation of Firearm Imports

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

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Lebanon is reported to be US$22,495,41510 (2011)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Lebanon is low8

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Lebanon is reported to be US$70011

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

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

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Lebanon is categorised as restrictive13

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Lebanon are regulated by the Central Government8

Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

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Regulation of Handguns

In Lebanon, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted without licence, for hunting, protection and security only8

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Lebanon, unlicensed, non-disqualified persons of minimum age8 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 Lebanon are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, personal protection, security8

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Lebanon is 21 years8

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Lebanon must pass background checks which consider criminal and mental8 records

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Lebanon does not stipulate8 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Lebanon, the law does not require8 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Lebanon do not include8 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Lebanon do not include8 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 Lebanon, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is not required by law14

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Firearm Tracing

In Lebanon, state authorities do not carry out15 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

League of Arab States

As a member of the League of Arab States, Lebanon adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200216

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Lebanon voted to begin17 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 ratified18 by Lebanon

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Lebanon 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 Aspects19

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Lebanon has submitted one or more national reports20 12 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Lebanon, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated21 12

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Lebanon, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated21 12

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

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

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

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

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Lebanon 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, Lebanon has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194522

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list23 Lebanon as a Participating State

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.

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.2011.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Lebanon.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6283)Full Citation

6.

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

7.

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

8.

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

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.2013.‘Database of Authorised Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons.’ NISAT Small Arms Trade Database.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,14 February. (Q16)Full Citation

11.

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

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.

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

14.

Lebanon.2008.‘Implementation of the International Tracing Instrument.’ National Report of Lebanon 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 Lebanon to the United Nations,1 April. (Q4664)Full Citation

15.

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. (Q323)Full Citation

16.

League of Arab States / UNODA.2002.‘Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Council of the League of Arab States / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,1 January. (Q3215)Full Citation

17.

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

18.

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

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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

22.

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

23.

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