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Marshall Islands — 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 the Marshall Islands is 301

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in the Marshall Islands is 0.051 firearms per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in the Marshall Islands is reported to be 301

Government Guns

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Routine Arming of Police

In the Marshall Islands, police officers on routine patrol do not carry a firearm2

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in the Marshall Islands are reported to have 383 firearms

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In the Marshall Islands, 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 practice4 5 6

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Home-made Guns

In the Marshall Islands the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be nonexistent7

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In the Marshall Islands, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 8

Import Control

In the Marshall Islands, 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 the Marshall Islands is reported to be US$18,3189 (2008)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in the Marshall Islands is negligible7

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

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

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in the Marshall Islands do not include10 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in the Marshall Islands is categorised as restrictive11

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in the Marshall Islands is the Weapons Control Act 1971 (Revised 2004)12 and Firearms Control Act 198313

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in the Marshall Islands are regulated by the Attorney General14

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Right to Possess Firearms

In the Marshall Islands, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law10

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In the Marshall Islands, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, handguns, or any firearms other than .22 rifles and .410 gauge shotguns15 16 17

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In the Marshall Islands, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited15 16

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In the Marshall Islands, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is prohibited16

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Regulation of Handguns

In the Marshall Islands, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited15 16

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Gun Owner Licensing

In the Marshall Islands, only licensed gun owners18 19 20 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 the Marshall Islands are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, shark and pig hunting17

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in the Marshall Islands is 21 years19

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in the Marshall Islands must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental, medical and addiction21 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In the Marshall Islands, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required10

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in the Marshall Islands does not stipulate10 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

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

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In the Marshall Islands gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 2 years18

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in the Marshall Islands are permitted to possess any number of firearms10

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in the Marshall Islands is permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition10

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In the Marshall Islands, the law requires22 23 24 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 the Marshall Islands, licensed firearm dealers are required25 26 27 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In the Marshall Islands, State agencies are required23 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In the Marshall Islands, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited7 28 29 5 30 31

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In the Marshall Islands, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful7 28 29 5 30 31

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In the Marshall Islands, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined10

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In the Marshall Islands, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated10 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in the Marshall Islands include20 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Dealer

Firearm regulations in the Marshall Islands include26 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in the Marshall Islands include20 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 the Marshall Islands, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law24 16 32 27

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Firearm Tracing

In the Marshall Islands, state authorities carry out24 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In the Marshall Islands, state authorities do not employ10 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In the Marshall Islands, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is prohibited20 15

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In the Marshall Islands, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is prohibited20

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In the Marshall Islands, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is up to 5 years prison and/or a fine up to $2,00033

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Pacific Islands Forum

As a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, the Marshall Islands adopted the March, 2000 Nadi Framework agreement, which aims to harmonise small arms-related legislation across Oceania. In August 2003, the Nadi Framework’s draft model Weapons Control Bill was unanimously accepted for consideration by all 16 member states of the Pacific Islands Forum34 35

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, the Marshall Islands voted to begin36 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 signed37 by the Marshall Islands

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, the Marshall Islands 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 Aspects38

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, the Marshall Islands has submitted one or more national reports39 40 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In the Marshall Islands, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated41 40

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In the Marshall Islands, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated41

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated40 by the Marshall Islands to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, the Marshall Islands has not declared42 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, the Marshall Islands has been a Member State of the United Nations since 199143

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list44 the Marshall Islands as a Participating State
Last Updated on 30 January 2012

Short References

1.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Civilian Firearm Ownership in Pacific Nations, 2002.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q881)Full Citation

2.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Stockpiles and Trafficking in the Pacific: Police Inventories.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q145)Full Citation

3.

Karp, Aaron.2003.‘Fewer Blanks: Global Firearm Stockpiles: Firearms of the Pacific.’ Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q883)Full Citation

4.

Marshall Islands.2005.‘Manufacture of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Ammunition.’ Response of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the [UN Commission on Human Rights] Questionnaire on Small Arms, Light Weapons and Ammunition.New York:Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United Nations,25 April. (Q602)Full Citation

5.

Marshall Islands.2004.‘Licenses for Transfer; Required.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela (Parliament),1 January. (Q4899)Full Citation

6.

Marshall Islands.2004.‘Manufacturers and Wholesalers.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela (Parliament),1 January. (Q4904)Full Citation

7.

Marshall Islands.2005.‘Small Arms and Light Weapons UN Report.’ National Report of the Marshall Islands 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 the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United Nations,25 April. (Q916)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.

Marshall Islands.2004.‘Short Title.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela (Parliament),1 January. (Q4897)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.

Marshall Islands.2004.‘Short Title.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela (Parliament),1 January. (Q4896)Full Citation

13.

Marshall Islands.1983.‘Firearm Control.’ Firearm Control Act (1983).Majuro:Nitijela,11 February. (Q897)Full Citation

14.

Marshall Islands.2004.‘Authority of Attorney-General to Promulgate Regulations.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela (Parliament),1 January. (Q4898)Full Citation

15.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Firearm Possession Ban.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q896)Full Citation

16.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Prohibited Acts.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q899)Full Citation

17.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Pacific Small Arms Legislation: Domestic and regional issues.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q291)Full Citation

18.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Licensing Regulations.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q902)Full Citation

19.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Licensing Regulations.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q904)Full Citation

20.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Transfer of Firearms.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q900)Full Citation

21.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Licensing Regulations.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q903)Full Citation

22.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Recordkeeping.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q905)Full Citation

23.

Marshall Islands.2005.‘Small Arms and Light Weapons UN Report.’ National Report of the Marshall Islands 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 the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United Nations,25 April. (Q919)Full Citation

24.

Marshall Islands.2005.‘Marking, Record Keeping and Tracing.’ National Report of the Marshall Islands 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 the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United Nations,25 April. (Q4666)Full Citation

25.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Recordkeeping.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q906)Full Citation

26.

Marshall Islands.2004.‘Licenses for Transfer; Display; Conduct of Dealer's Business.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela (Parliament),1 January. (Q4901)Full Citation

27.

Marshall Islands.2004.‘Records and Reports by Dealers.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela (Parliament),1 January. (Q4902)Full Citation

28.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Transfer of Firearms.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q917)Full Citation

29.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Transfer of Firearms.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q918)Full Citation

30.

Marshall Islands.2004.‘Licenses for Transfer; Issuance and Renewal of Dealer's License.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela (Parliament),1 January. (Q4900)Full Citation

31.

Marshall Islands.2004.‘Transfer or Sale of Ammunition.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela (Parliament),1 January. (Q4903)Full Citation

32.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Recordkeeping.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q909)Full Citation

33.

Marshall Islands.1971.‘Firearm Offences Penalties.’ Weapons Control Act (1971), Revised 2004.Majuro:Nitijela,1 January. (Q912)Full Citation

34.

SPCPC/OCO.2000.‘Towards a Common Approach to Weapons Control: The 'Nadi Framework'.’ South Pacific Chiefs of Police Conference (SPCPC) and Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO).Nadi, Fiji:Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat,10 March. (Q576)Full Citation

35.

Baker, Jean.2000.‘Weapons Control Bill: Explanatory Notes.’ Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.Suva, Fiji:Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat,10 March. (Q577)Full Citation

36.

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

37.

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

38.

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

39.

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

40.

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

41.

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

42.

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

43.

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

44.

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