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Nepal — 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 Nepal is 205,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Nepal is 0.82 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, Nepal ranked at No. 1151

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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, Nepal ranked at No. 1592

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Nepal are reported to have 136,8003 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Nepal are reported to have 65,8004 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Nepal, annual homicides by any means total

2006: 5095
2005: 564
2002: 8266
2001: 603

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

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

2007: 2.257
2006: 2.57
2005: 13.60
2004: 3.30
2003: 9.11
2002: 3.426
2001: 2.56

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn Nepal, annual firearm homicides total

2006: 845
2005: 105

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2006: 0.305
2005: 0.39

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

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

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Nepal, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 9 10

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Nepal is reported to be US$19,17711 (2009)

Import Control

In Nepal, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 9 10

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Nepal is reported to be US$534,48111 (2009)

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Nepal is the Arms and Ammunition Act 196212

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Nepal are regulated by the Government13 14

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Nepal, only licensed gun owners8 15 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

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

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Nepal, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful8

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Nepal include17 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Nepal, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 5 years prison and/or a fine of 100,000 Rupees18

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Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Authorities in Nepal are known to have19 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation

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Surrendered in Gun Amnesty

In Nepal, the number of firearms and/or rounds of ammunition voluntarily surrendered for destruction in recent arms amnesty and collection programmes is reported to be 3,47519 (2007)

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Small Arms Destroyed

In Nepal, the total number of firearms destroyed following recent amnesty, collection and seizure programmes is reported to be 3,47519

MeasuresInternational Controls

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Nepal voted to begin20 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 signed21 by Nepal

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Nepal 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 Aspects22

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Nepal has yet to submit a national report23 24 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Nepal, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated24

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Nepal, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated24

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Nepal submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent24

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated24 by Nepal to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided24 to Nepal by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Nepal 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, Nepal has been a Member State of the United Nations since 195525

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list26 Nepal 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.

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

4.

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

5.

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

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.‘South Asia, 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. (Q3815)Full Citation

8.

Nepal.1963.‘Prohibition to Manufacture, Possess and Sell Without Licence.’ Arms and Ammunition Act, 2019 (1962), Act Number 45 of 2019.Kathmandu:Nepal Law Commission,5 February. (Q2175)Full Citation

9.

Nepal.1963.‘Prohibition to Bring Into or Take Out.’ Arms and Ammunition Act, 2019 (1962), Act Number 45 of 2019.Kathmandu:Nepal Law Commission,5 February. (Q2176)Full Citation

10.

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

11.

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

12.

Nepal.1963.‘Arms and Ammunition Act.’ Arms and Ammunition Act, 2019 (1962), Act Number 45 of 2019.Kathmandu:Nepal Law Commission,5 February. (Q2173)Full Citation

13.

Nepal.1963.‘Power of Government of Nepal to Apply.’ Arms and Ammunition Act, 2019 (1962), Act Number 45 of 2019.Kathmandu:Nepal Law Commission,5 February. (Q2179)Full Citation

14.

Nepal.1963.‘Power of Government of Nepal to Frame Rules.’ Arms and Ammunition Act, 2019 (1962), Act Number 45 of 2019.Kathmandu:Nepal Law Commission,5 February. (Q2181)Full Citation

15.

Nepal.1963.‘Prohibition to Carry Arms Without a Licence.’ Arms and Ammunition Act, 2019 (1962), Act Number 45 of 2019.Kathmandu:Nepal Law Commission,5 February. (Q2177)Full Citation

16.

Nepal.1963.‘Power of Taking the List of Arms or Ammunition.’ Arms and Ammunition Act, 2019 (1962), Act Number 45 of 2019.Kathmandu:Nepal Law Commission,5 February. (Q2182)Full Citation

17.

Nepal.1963.‘Prohibition to Keep the Arms and Ammunition at a Particular Fixed Place.’ Arms and Ammunition Act, 2019 (1962), Act Number 45 of 2019.Kathmandu:Nepal Law Commission,5 February. (Q2178)Full Citation

18.

Nepal.1963.‘Penalty.’ Arms and Ammunition Act, 2019 (1962), Act Number 45 of 2019.Kathmandu:Nepal Law Commission,5 February. (Q2180)Full Citation

19.

Karp, Aaron.2009.‘Summary of Disarmament Outcomes in 45 DDR Programmes.’ Small Arms Survey 2009: Shadows of War.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,9 July. (Q2941)Full Citation

20.

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

21.

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

22.

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

23.

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

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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