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Nicaragua — 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 Nicaragua is 395,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Nicaragua is 7.72 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, Nicaragua ranked at No. 931

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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, Nicaragua ranked at No. 772

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Nicaragua is reported to be 90,1333

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Nicaragua is 1.694

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Nicaragua are reported to have 611,8005 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Nicaragua are reported to have 21,5516 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Nicaragua, annual homicides by any means total

2008: 7387
2007: 714
2006: 686
2005: 729
2004: 646
2003: 635
2002: 554
2001: 537
2000: 476

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

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

2008: 13.007
2007: 12.75
2006: 12.41
2005: 13.36
2004: 12.00
2003: 11.95
2002: 10.56
2001: 10.37
2000: 9.33
1999: 11.008
1998: 13.00
1997: 15.00
1996: 15.00
1995: 16.00

Number of Gun Homicides

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

In Nicaragua, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2007: 7.147

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Number of Suicides (any method)

ChartIn Nicaragua, annual suicides by any means total

2008: 1219
2007: 143
2006: 120
2005: 173
2004: 183
2003: 183
2002: 218
2001: 217
2000: 211

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

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

2005: 7.209
2002: 6.6010

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Number of Gun Suicides

In Nicaragua, annual firearm suicides total

2002: 2510

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

2002: 0.4610

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Number of Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Nicaragua, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2002: 5010

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

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

2002: 0.9110

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Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

In Nicaragua, annual shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

2001: 110

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

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

2001: 0.0210

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

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

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Nicaragua is reported to be US$86013 (2009)

Import Control

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

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Nicaragua is reported to be US$1,178,62013 (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 Nicaragua is reported to be US$40014

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Nicaragua, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law11 12

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Nicaragua is the Special Act 510 for the Control and Regulation of Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials15

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Nicaragua are regulated by the Bureau of Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Related Materials16

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Nicaragua, only licensed gun owners11 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Nicaragua, the law requires16 11 17 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Nicaragua, State agencies are required16 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Nicaragua, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful11

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Nicaragua, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law15 11

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Firearm Tracing

In Nicaragua, state authorities carry out17 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Authorities in Nicaragua are known to have18 19 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 Nicaragua, the number of firearms and/or rounds of ammunition voluntarily surrendered for destruction in recent arms amnesty and collection programmes is reported to be 17,88320 (1989-2002 with Honduras)

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Small Arms Destroyed

In Nicaragua, the total number of firearms destroyed following recent amnesty, collection and seizure programmes is reported to be 12,99618 (2006-2008)

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Central American Integration System

As a member of the Central American Integration System (SICA), Nicaragua is party to the 2007 Central American Programme on Small Arms Control and the Code of Conduct of Central American States on the Transfer of Arms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Material21

Organization of American States

On 14 November 1997, as a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Nicaragua adopted the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Explosives, Ammunition and Other Related Materials (CIFTA), a legally binding multilateral treaty of which the OAS is depository. The CIFTA Convention has since been signed and ratified22 23 by Nicaragua

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Nicaragua abstained from endorsing24 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 ratified25 by Nicaragua

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Nicaragua 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 Aspects26

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Nicaragua has submitted one or more national reports27 28 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Nicaragua, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated29 28

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Nicaragua, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated29 28

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Nicaragua submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent29 28

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated28 by Nicaragua to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided28 to Nicaragua by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Nicaragua 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, Nicaragua has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194530

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list31 Nicaragua 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.

OAS Observatory on Citizen Security.2011.‘Civilian Firearms Legally Registered.’ Report on Citizen Security in the Americas 2011.Washington, DC:Organisation of American States,1 January. (Q5679)Full Citation

4.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Nicaragua.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4271)Full Citation

5.

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

6.

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

7.

OAS Observatory on Citizen Security.2011.‘Intentional Homicide.’ Report on Citizen Security in the Americas 2011.Washington, DC:Organisation of American States,1 January. (Q5678)Full Citation

8.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Latin America and the Caribbean, 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. (Q3817)Full Citation

9.

OAS Observatory on Citizen Security.2011.‘Suicide.’ Report on Citizen Security in the Americas 2011.Washington, DC:Organisation of American States,1 January. (Q5680)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.

Nicaragua.2008.‘Records.’ National Report of Nicaragua 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 Nicaragua to the United Nations,31 March. (Q4757)Full Citation

12.

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

13.

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

14.

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

15.

Nicaragua.2008.‘Marking of State Firearms.’ National Report of Nicaragua 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 Nicaragua to the United Nations,31 March. (Q4758)Full Citation

16.

Nicaragua.2010.‘Records (Registros).’ National Report of Nicaragua 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 Nicaragua to the United Nations,29 April. (Q4759)Full Citation

17.

Nicaragua.2008.‘Tracing.’ National Report of Nicaragua 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 Nicaragua to the United Nations,31 March. (Q4756)Full Citation

18.

Espinoza, Ana Yancy.2010.‘Seized and Destroyed Arms (Armas Decomisadas y Destruidas).’ IX Seminar: Control of Arms Transfers and Trafficking – Compilation (IX Seminario: Control del Tráfico y Transferencia de Armas de Fuego – Sistematización).Santa Marta:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime / UNODC,25 February. (Q5508)Full Citation

19.

REDCEPAZ.2006.‘Seized Firearms (Decomiso de Armas).’ The Problem of Illegal Arms in Central America (El problema de las Armas Ilegales en Centroamérica).Guatemala City:REDCEPAZ (Red Centroamericana para la Construcción de la Paz y la Seguridad Humana),1 March. (Q5509)Full Citation

20.

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

21.

UNODA.2007.‘Central American Programme on Small Arms Control.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Central American Integration System / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,1 January. (Q3221)Full Citation

22.

OAS / UNODA.1997.‘Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Explosives, Ammunition and Other Related Materials / CIFTA.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Organization of American States / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 November. (Q3244)Full Citation

23.

OAS.1997.‘Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Explosives, Ammunition and Other Related Materials (CIFTA): Signatures and Ratifications.’ Organization of American States, Department of International Law.Washington DC:Organization of American States,14 November. (Q3262)Full Citation

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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

29.

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

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