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Namibia — 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 Namibia is 260,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Namibia is 12.62 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, Namibia ranked at No. 1101

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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, Namibia ranked at No. 512

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Namibia is reported to be 97,2621

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Namibia is 4.793

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Namibia are reported to have 22,5004 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Namibia are reported to have 17,4135 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Namibia, annual homicides by any means total

2002: 1266
2001: 123

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

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

2004: 15.357
2002: 17.81
2001: 12.39
2000: 20.22
1999: 23.46
1998: 22.64
1997: 18.67
1996: 36.41
1995: 22.51

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Namibia, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence8 9 10

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Namibia, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 11 12 13

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Namibia is reported to be US$187,22614 (2009)

Import Control

In Namibia, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 11 12 13

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Namibia is reported to be US$2,380,40614 (2009)

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Market Cost of an AK-47 Assault Rifle (US$)

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Namibia is reported to be US$25015

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

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

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Namibia include17 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 Namibia is categorised as permissive18

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Namibia is the Arms and Ammunition Act 7 of 199619

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Namibia are regulated by the Minister, the Inspector-General, or any member of the Police20

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Namibia, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law21

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Namibia, civilians are not allowed to possess military-style weapons, automatic firearms, rifles, and imitations22

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Namibia, private possession of fully automatic weapons is permitted under licence22

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Regulation of Handguns

In Namibia, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence21 23

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Namibia, only licensed gun owners21 24 25 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 Namibia are not required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm26

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Namibia is 18 years24 27

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Namibia must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and medical28 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Namibia, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required26

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Namibia does not stipulate26 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Namibia, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required26 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Namibia gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every time the firearm is permanently transfered, forfeited, or the licence ceases to be valid29

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Licensing Records

In Namibia, authorities maintain a record30 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Namibia are permitted to possess any number of firearms26

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Namibia is permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition26

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Namibia, the law requires30 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 Namibia, licensed firearm dealers are required31 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

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Gun Manufacturer Record Keeping

In Namibia, licensed gun makers are required10 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Namibia, the private sale and transfer of firearms is permitted32

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Namibia, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful32 33

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Namibia, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined26

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In Namibia, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are regulated34 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Namibia include35 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 Namibia include35 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Namibia, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law36 37

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Firearm Tracing

In Namibia, state authorities carry out37 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Namibia, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed without a permit38

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Namibia, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is allowed without a permit38

Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Namibia, it is not state policy39 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Namibia 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 200640

Southern African Development Community

As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Namibia 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 Materials41

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Namibia voted to begin42 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 signed43 by Namibia

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Namibia 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 Aspects44

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Namibia has submitted one or more national reports45 16 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Namibia, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated46 16

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Namibia, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated46 16

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Namibia submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is apparent46 16

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated16 by Namibia to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Namibia 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, Namibia has been a Member State of the United Nations since 199047

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list48 Namibia as a Participating State
Last Updated on 9 February 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.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Namibia.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4267)Full Citation

4.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q6)Full Citation

5.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q7)Full Citation

6.

UNODC.2005.‘Recorded Homicide and Firearm Homicide in 53 Countries, Completed or Attempted.’ Eighth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2001-2002).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,15 April. (Q1077)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.

Namibia.1996.‘Prohibition of Unauthorized Manufacture of Arms.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3688)Full Citation

9.

Namibia.1996.‘Prohibition of Unauthorized Manufacture of Ammunition.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3690)Full Citation

10.

Namibia.1996.‘Issue of Permits for Manufacture of Arms or Ammunition.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q4347)Full Citation

11.

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

12.

Namibia.1996.‘Prohibition of Importation or Exportation of Arms and Ammunition Without Permit.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3683)Full Citation

13.

Namibia.1996.‘Issue of Permit for Importation or Exportation of Arms or Ammunition.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3685)Full Citation

14.

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

15.

World Bank.2007.‘Available Kalashnikov Prices for Specific Countries and Periods.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q3)Full Citation

16.

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

17.

Namibia.1994.‘Powers of Minister in Relation to Import and Export of Goods.’ Government Gazette – Promulgation of Import and Export Control Act, 1994 (Act 30 of 1994).Windhoek:Parliament of the Republic of Namibia,30 November. (Q4346)Full Citation

18.

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

19.

Namibia.1996.‘Arms and Ammunition Act 7 of 1996.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3702)Full Citation

20.

Namibia.1996.‘Delegation.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3697)Full Citation

21.

Namibia.1996.‘Prohibition of Possession of Arms Without Licence.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3670)Full Citation

22.

Namibia.1996.‘Prohibition of Unauthorized Importation, Supply or Possession of Certain Firearms or Classes of Articles.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3693)Full Citation

23.

Namibia.1996.‘Definitions.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3669)Full Citation

24.

Namibia.1996.‘General Provisions Relating to Applications for Licences to Possess Arms and the Issuing of such Licences.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3671)Full Citation

25.

Namibia.1996.‘Possession of Arms With Consent of Licence Holder Permitted in Certain Circumstances.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3674)Full Citation

26.

Namibia.1996.‘Arms and Ammunition Act 7 of 1996.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q4343)Full Citation

27.

Namibia.1996.‘Possession of Arms or Ammunition by Juveniles.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3694)Full Citation

28.

Namibia.1996.‘Declaration of Persons to be Unfit to Possess Arms.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3675)Full Citation

29.

Namibia.1996.‘Duration of Licence.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3672)Full Citation

30.

Namibia.1996.‘Register to be Kept by Inspector-Ceneral and Proof of Entries in Register.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3696)Full Citation

31.

Namibia.1996.‘Registers to be Kept, Documents to be Retained and Returns to be Rendered by Licensed Dealers.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3680)Full Citation

32.

Namibia.1996.‘Prohibition of Dealing in Arms and Ammunition Without Licence.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3677)Full Citation

33.

Namibia.1996.‘Licences to Deal in Arms and Ammunition.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3678)Full Citation

34.

Namibia.1996.‘Temporary Licences to Exhibit and to Deal in Arms and Ammunition.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3679)Full Citation

35.

Namibia.1996.‘Prohibition of Possession of Ammunition in Certain Circumstances.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3703)Full Citation

36.

Namibia.1996.‘No Arm Without Identification Marks to be Licensed.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3673)Full Citation

37.

Namibia.2011.‘Measures Taken for Undertaking Traces and Responding to Tracing Requests.’ National Report of Namibia on its Implementation of the International Tracing Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (UNPoA ITI).New York:Permanent Mission of Namibia to the United Nations,6 May. (Q4848)Full Citation

38.

Namibia.1996.‘Requirements as to Arms in Public Places.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3695)Full Citation

39.

Namibia.1996.‘Disposal of Arms in Possession Of or Taken From Person Dealt With Under Section 10.’ Promulgation of Arms and Ammunition Act, 1996 (Act No.7 of 1996 – as of 2005).Windhoek:Parliament of Namibia,11 June. (Q3676)Full Citation

40.

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

41.

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

42.

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

43.

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

44.

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

45.

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

46.

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

47.

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

48.

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