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Micronesia (FSM) — 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 Micronesia (FSM) is 6121

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Micronesia (FSM) is 0.491 firearms per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Micronesia (FSM) is reported to be 6121

Government Guns

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Routine Arming of Police

In Micronesia (FSM), police officers on routine patrol carry one or more firearms2

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Micronesia (FSM) are reported to have 6503 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

In Micronesia (FSM), annual homicides by any means total

2000: 64

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

In Micronesia (FSM), the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2000: 5.565

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Number of Suicides (any method)

In Micronesia (FSM), annual suicides by any means total

2000: 114

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

In Micronesia (FSM), the annual rate of suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2000: 10.195

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Micronesia (FSM), 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 Micronesia (FSM), firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 7

Import Control

In Micronesia (FSM), firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 7

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Micronesia (FSM), the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law8

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Micronesia (FSM) is categorised as permissive9

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Micronesia (FSM) is the Trust Territory Weapons Control Act 1971, Weapons Control Act 1971, and the Weapons Prohibition Act 198110

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Micronesia (FSM), civilians are not allowed to possess handguns, automatic firearms, any rifle larger than .22 calibre, any shotgun larger than .410 gauge or any other firearm11

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Micronesia (FSM), private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited11

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Regulation of Handguns

In Micronesia (FSM), private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited11

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Micronesia (FSM), no civilian (civilian possession prohibited in legislation but not in practise)12 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 Micronesia (FSM) are not required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm12

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Micronesia (FSM) is 21 years13

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Micronesia (FSM) must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental, medical and addiction14 records

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Firearm Safety Training

In Micronesia (FSM), an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required15 for a firearm licence

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Micronesia (FSM), the law requires16 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Micronesia (FSM) include17 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 Micronesia (FSM), a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law18

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Micronesia (FSM), carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is prohibited19

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Micronesia (FSM), the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is up to 3 years prison and/or a fine up to $1,00020

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Pacific Islands Forum

As a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Micronesia (FSM) 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 Forum21 22

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Micronesia (FSM) voted to begin23 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 signed24 by Micronesia (FSM)

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Micronesia (FSM) 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 Aspects25

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Micronesia (FSM) has yet to submit a national report26 27 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Micronesia (FSM), a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated28 27

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Micronesia (FSM), a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated28 27

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Micronesia (FSM) submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent28 27

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated27 by Micronesia (FSM) to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Micronesia (FSM) has not declared29 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Micronesia (FSM) has been a Member State of the United Nations since 199130

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list31 Micronesia (FSM) 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. (Q332)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: Micronesia (FSM).’ Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q335)Full Citation

4.

WHO.2009.‘Western Pacific Region – Country profiles and health databanks.’ Country Health Information Profiles / CHIPS.Manila:World Health Organisation, Regional Office for the Western Pacific,19 August. (Q1889)Full Citation

5.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Micronesia (FSM).’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,1 April. (Q4342)Full Citation

6.

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. (Q356)Full Citation

7.

Micronesia (FSM).1971.‘Transfer of Firearms.’ Weapons Control Act (1971).Palikir:Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia,1 January. (Q360)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.

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

10.

Cukier, Wendy.2005.‘Military Assault Weapon Prohibitions by Country – Micronesia.’ The Feasibility of Increased Restrictions on the Civilian Possession of Military Assault Weapons at the Global Level.Waterloo, ON:Project Ploughshares, Small Arms Working Group of the Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee,1 April. (Q338)Full Citation

11.

Micronesia (FSM).1971.‘Prohibited Types.’ Weapons Control Act (1971).Palikir:Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia,1 January. (Q347)Full Citation

12.

Micronesia (FSM).1981.‘Exemptions from Firearm Ban.’ Weapons Prohibition Act (1981).Palikir:Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia,31 December. (Q341)Full Citation

13.

Micronesia (FSM).1971.‘Licence Regulations.’ Weapons Control Act (1971).Palikir:Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia,1 January. (Q343)Full Citation

14.

Micronesia (FSM).1971.‘Licence Regulations.’ Weapons Control Act (1971).Palikir:Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia,1 January. (Q345)Full Citation

15.

Agnes E Donato. 2007. ‘New Law Eases Gun License Renewals.’ Saipan Tribune (Micronesia). 23 May. (N35) Full Citation

16.

Micronesia (FSM).1971.‘Registry of Firearms.’ Weapons Control Act (1971).Palikir:Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia,1 January. (Q348)Full Citation

17.

Micronesia (FSM).1971.‘Carrying Firearms.’ Weapons Control Act (1971).Palikir:Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia,1 January. (Q350)Full Citation

18.

Micronesia (FSM).1971.‘Manufacturer's and Wholesaler's License.’ Weapons Control Act (1971).Palikir:Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia,1 January. (Q351)Full Citation

19.

Micronesia (FSM).1971.‘General Prohibition.’ Weapons Control Act (1971).Palikir:Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia,1 January. (Q340)Full Citation

20.

Micronesia (FSM).1981.‘Firearm Offence Penalties.’ Weapons Prohibition Act (1981).Palikir:Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia,31 December. (Q353)Full Citation

21.

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

22.

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

23.

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

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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

29.

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

30.

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

31.

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