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Armed Violence and Guns in Micronesia

Of all the island groups in the South West Pacific, Micronesia is the least armed, and the least affected by gun violence. Of its seven states and territories only Kiribati, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands permit civilian possession of firearms.1 2 3 The nation of Kiribati reports just eight privately held guns, or one per 11,500 citizens.4 Nauru, Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) all prohibit the private ownership of firearms — at least in law.5 6

Paradoxically, Micronesia (FSM) and the Marshall Islands, where guns are banned under legislation, report higher rates of lawful civilian firearm ownership than Kiribati, where they are not.4

Generally, gun ownership in Micronesia is limited to .22 calibre hunting rifles and single-action shotguns needed to control pests and wild animals, such as pigs and sharks.7 5 1 Only Guam, a territory of the United States, permits civilian ownership of pistols and revolvers.2

Of Micronesia’s five UN member states, none is active in the United Nations small arms Programme of Action (UNPoA).8 Only Marshall Islands has identified a national point of contact and coordinating mechanism for small arms issues.9 10 In 2009, three of the five Micronesian nations with a seat at the UN — Marshall Islands, Micronesia (FSM) and Palau — voted to begin negotiations towards an international Arms Trade Treaty.11

For information on armed violence and gun control laws in each country and territory of Micronesia, please use the search tools in the left hand column.
Last Updated on 7 June 2010

Short References

1.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Pacific Small Arms Legislation: Civilian firearm ownership and prohibitions in the Pacific.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q321)Full Citation

2.

Guam.2003.‘Ownership, Etc., Permitted.’ Public Law 27-61, Title 10, Chapter 60 — Firearms.Hagatna:Guam Legislature,22 December. (Q753)Full Citation

3.

CNMI.2003.‘Identification Cards.’ Division 2 Contraband Offences: Chapter 2 Weapons Control: Article 1 Weapons Control Act.Saipan:Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,5 December. (Q776)Full Citation

4.

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. (Q1920)Full Citation

5.

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

6.

Micronesia (FSM).1981.‘Surrender of Weapons.’ Weapons Prohibition Act (1981).Palikir:Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia,31 December. (Q1948)Full Citation

7.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Genuine Reason: A Snapshot of Pacific Definitions – Kiribati.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q1370)Full Citation

8.

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

9.

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

10.

Cattaneo, Silvia and Sarah Parker.2008.‘States That Have Never Reported.’ 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. (Q21)Full Citation

11.

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