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Madagascar — 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 Madagascar is 150,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Madagascar is 0.82 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, Madagascar ranked at No. 1241

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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, Madagascar ranked at No. 1572

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Madagascar are reported to have 40,0903 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Madagascar are reported to have 25,8304 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

Number of Homicides (any method)

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

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

2004: 11.705
2002: 9.90
1995: 1.75

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Madagascar, 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

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Madagascar, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 7

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Madagascar is reported to be US$4778 (2009)

Import Control

In Madagascar, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 7 6 9

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Madagascar is reported to be US$150,3378 (2009)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Madagascar is low10

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Madagascar, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law7

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Madagascar is categorised as restrictive11

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Madagascar is the Law No. 69 011 of 22 July 1969 on the system for arms, excluding bladed weapons, the Decree No. 70 041 of 13 January 1970 governing application of Law No. 69 011 dated 22 July 1969 on the system on arms, excluding bladed weapons, and the Ruling No. 1545 of 14 April 1970 governing arms categories in the territory of the Republic of Madagascar7

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Madagascar are regulated by the Ministry responsible for the armed forces and the Home Office7 and the Ministries of the Interior9

Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

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Regulation of Handguns

In Madagascar, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence10

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Madagascar, only licensed gun owners (for certain arms)10 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 Madagascar are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, collection, personal protection, security10

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Madagascar is the legal age of responsibility10

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Madagascar must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and domestic violence10 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Madagascar, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are required10

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Madagascar stipulates10 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Madagascar, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required10 for a firearm licence

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Madagascar, the law requires10 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 Madagascar, licensed firearm dealers are required9 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Madagascar, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful9

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Madagascar do not include10 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 Madagascar include10 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 Madagascar, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law6

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Firearm Tracing

In Madagascar, state authorities carry out12 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Madagascar, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed without a permit, with some restrictions10

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Madagascar adopted an African Common Position to take to the Conference to Review the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), held in June 200613

Southern African Development Community

As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Madagascar signed the SADC Declaration Concerning Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials in March 2001. This laid the ground for the August, 2001 adoption of the legally binding SADC Protocol on Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials14

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Madagascar voted to begin15 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 ratified16 by Madagascar

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Madagascar 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 Aspects17

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Madagascar has submitted one or more national reports18 19 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Madagascar, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated19

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Madagascar, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated19

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Madagascar submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent19

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated19 by Madagascar to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided19 to Madagascar by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Madagascar 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, Madagascar has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196020

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list21 Madagascar as a Participating State
Last Updated on 30 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.‘Sub-Saharan 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. (Q3812)Full Citation

6.

Madagascar.2008.‘Marking.’ National Report of Madagascar 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 Madagascar to the United Nations,16 June. (Q4625)Full Citation

7.

Moreau, Virginie, Cédric Poitevin and Jihan Seniora.2010.‘Comparison of the Main Regulatory Aspects Examined – Madagascar.’ Arms Transfer Controls: The Example of French-Speaking States in Sub-Saharan Africa.Brussels:Groupe de Recherche et d'Information sur la Paix et la Sécurité (GRIP),1 May. (Q4010)Full Citation

8.

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

9.

Madagascar.2008.‘Record-Keeping.’ National Report of Madagascar 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 Madagascar to the United Nations,16 June. (Q4626)Full Citation

10.

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

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.

Madagascar.2008.‘Cooperation in Respect of Tracing.’ National Report of Madagascar 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 Madagascar to the United Nations,16 June. (Q4627)Full Citation

13.

African Union / UNODA.2005.‘Windhoek Common Position.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:African Union / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 December. (Q3216)Full Citation

14.

SADC / UNODA.2001.‘Protocol on Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Southern African Development Community Secretariat / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,1 August. (Q3217)Full Citation

15.

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

16.

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

17.

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

18.

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

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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