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Liechtenstein — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

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ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Liechtenstein, annual homicides by any means total

2006: 01
2005: 0

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

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

2006: 0.001
2005: 0.00

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn Liechtenstein, annual firearm homicides total

2006: 01
2005: 0

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2006: 0.001
2005: 0.00

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Liechtenstein, 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 practice2

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Liechtenstein, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 3

Import Control

In Liechtenstein, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 3

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Liechtenstein is reported to be US$132,4214 (2008)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Liechtenstein is low2

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Liechtenstein, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law3 5

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Liechtenstein is categorised as restrictive6

Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

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Regulation of Handguns

In Liechtenstein, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence2

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Liechtenstein, only licensed gun owners (for certain arms)2 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 Liechtenstein are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, collection, personal protection, security2

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Liechtenstein is 18 years2

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Liechtenstein must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and domestic violence2 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Liechtenstein, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required2

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Liechtenstein stipulates2 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Liechtenstein, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required2 for a firearm licence

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Liechtenstein, the law requires2 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 Liechtenstein, licensed firearm dealers are required7 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 Liechtenstein, licensed gun makers are required7 8 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Liechtenstein include2 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 Liechtenstein include2 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 Liechtenstein, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law9

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Firearm Tracing

In Liechtenstein, state authorities carry out9 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Liechtenstein, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed without a permit, with some restrictions2

MeasuresInternational Controls

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Liechtenstein voted to begin10 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 signed11 by Liechtenstein

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Liechtenstein 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 Aspects12

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Liechtenstein has submitted one or more national reports13 5 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Liechtenstein, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated14 5

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated5 by Liechtenstein to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Liechtenstein has declared15 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Liechtenstein has been a Member State of the United Nations since 199016

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list17 Liechtenstein as a Participating State
Last Updated on 29 January 2012

Short References

1.

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

2.

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

3.

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

4.

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

5.

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

6.

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

7.

Liechtenstein.2010.‘Military Material – Procedures and Documentation – Record Keeping.’ National Report of Liechtenstein 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 Liechtenstein to the United Nations,28 January. (Q4561)Full Citation

8.

Liechtenstein.2010.‘Non-Military Material – Procedures and Documentation – Record Keeping.’ National Report of Liechtenstein 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 Liechtenstein to the United Nations,28 January. (Q4562)Full Citation

9.

Liechtenstein.2010.‘Tracing and Marking of SALW.’ National Report of Liechtenstein 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 Liechtenstein to the United Nations,28 January. (Q4736)Full Citation

10.

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

11.

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

12.

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

13.

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

14.

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

15.

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

16.

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

17.

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