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Mauritius — 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 Mauritius is 180,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Mauritius is 14.72 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, Mauritius ranked at No. 1201

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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, Mauritius ranked at No. 442

Government Guns

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Mauritius are reported to have 1,8803 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Mauritius, annual homicides by any means total

2006: 504
2005: 37
2004: 315
2003: 36
2000: 266
1999: 23
1998: 31

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

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

2008: 3.307
2007: 2.95
2006: 4.004
2005: 2.98
2004: 2.565
2003: 2.95
2000: 2.196
1999: 1.96
1998: 2.67
1993: 2.358

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn Mauritius, annual firearm homicides total

2006: 14
2005: 0

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2006: 0.084
2005: 0.00
1993: 0.009

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Number of Suicides (any method)

In Mauritius, annual suicides by any means total

1999: 17410

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

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

1999: 14.2510
1993: 12.9811

Number of Gun Suicides

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

In Mauritius, the annual rate of firearm suicide per 100,000 population is

1993: 0.0912

Number of Unintentional Gun Deaths

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

In Mauritius, the annual rate of unintentional shooting death per 100,000 population is

1993: 0.0913

Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

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Rate of Gun Death from Undetermined Cause per 100,000 People

In Mauritius, the annual rate of unknown-cause shooting deaths per 100,000 population is

1993: 0.0014

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Mauritius, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence15

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Mauritius, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 16

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Mauritius is reported to be US$4,84417 (2009)

Import Control

In Mauritius, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 16 15

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Mauritius is reported to be US$427,88617 (2009)

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Mauritius, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law16

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Mauritius is the Firearms Act 200618

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Mauritius are regulated by the Commissioner of Police, the Police and Customs Departments18

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Mauritius, only licensed gun owners18 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Mauritius gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every year18

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Mauritius, the law requires15 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 Mauritius, licensed firearm dealers are required15 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 Mauritius, State agencies are required15 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Mauritius, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law18

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Firearm Tracing

In Mauritius, state authorities carry out15 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Mauritius 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 200619

Southern African Development Community

As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Mauritius 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 Materials20

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Mauritius voted to begin21 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 ratified22 by Mauritius

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Mauritius 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 Aspects23

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Mauritius has submitted one or more national reports24 25 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Mauritius, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated26 25

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated25 by Mauritius to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided25 to Mauritius by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Mauritius 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, Mauritius has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196827

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list28 Mauritius 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. (Q7)Full Citation

4.

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

5.

UNODC.2006.‘Reported Overall Homicide Numbers and Rates per 100,000 Population for 64 Countries, 2003-04.’ Ninth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2003 – 2004).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q9)Full Citation

6.

UNODC.2004.‘Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed.’ Seventh United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (1998-2000).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,19 March. (Q91)Full Citation

7.

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

8.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1301)Full Citation

9.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1297)Full Citation

10.

Jackson, Thomas.2005.‘Global Gun Deaths.’ NISAT Firearm Mortality Database 2005.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 January. (Q12)Full Citation

11.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1302)Full Citation

12.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1298)Full Citation

13.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1299)Full Citation

14.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1300)Full Citation

15.

Mauritius.2008.‘Implementation of the Programme of Action.’ National Report of Mauritius 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 Mauritius to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4633)Full Citation

16.

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

17.

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

18.

Mauritius.2008.‘Implementation of the International Tracing Instrument.’ National Report of Mauritius 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 Mauritius to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4632)Full Citation

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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

22.

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

23.

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

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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