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Niue — 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 Niue is 3971

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Niue is 19.851 firearms per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Niue is reported to be 3971

Government Guns

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Routine Arming of Police

In Niue, police officers on routine patrol do not carry a firearm2

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Niue are reported to have 53 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Gun Homicides

In Niue, annual firearm homicides total

1997-2001: 34

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Import Control

In Niue, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 5

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Niue is reported to be US$90,1186 (2009)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Niue is low7

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Niue, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law8 9

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Niue does not include8 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 Niue is categorised as restrictive10

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Niue is the Arms Act 197511

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Niue are regulated by the Minister of Police, and the Arms Officer of the Police Department12 13 14 15

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Niue, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law8

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Niue, civilians are not allowed to possess any pistol, machine gun, rifle, air-gun, or any class of weapon excluding shotguns16 17

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Niue, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited16

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Niue, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is prohibited16

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Regulation of Handguns

In Niue, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited16

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Niue, only licensed gun owners13 15 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 Niue are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, pest and animal control18 19

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Niue is 18 years20

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Niue must pass background checks which consider various14 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Niue, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required8

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Niue does not stipulate8 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Niue, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required8 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Niue gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 1 year21

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Licensing Records

In Niue, authorities maintain a record15 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 Niue are permitted to possess any number of shotguns8

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Niue is permitted to possess any quantity of shotgun ammunition8

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Niue, the law requires15 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 Niue, licensed firearm dealers are not required8 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Niue, the private sale and transfer of firearms is permitted13

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Niue, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is not unlawful13 8

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Niue, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined8

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In Niue, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated8 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Niue do not include8 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 Niue do not include8 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Niue do not include8 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 Niue, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is not required by law22

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Firearm Tracing

In Niue, state authorities do not carry out8 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In Niue, state authorities do not employ8 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Niue, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit18

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Niue, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is prohibited16 17

Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Niue, it is not state policy23 24 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Pacific Islands Forum

As a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Niue 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 Forum25 26

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Niue, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated27

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Niue, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated27

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Niue submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent27

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

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

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Niue is not a Member State of the United Nations

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list29 Niue as a Participating State
Last Updated on 1 June 2011

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. (Q388)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.’ Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q391)Full Citation

4.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Homicide, Robbery, and Assault in Pacific States, 1997-2001.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q392)Full Citation

5.

Niue.1975.‘Permits for Import of Firearms.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q404)Full Citation

6.

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

7.

PacNews. 2001. ‘Government to Discuss Gun Control.’ PacNews. 23 August. (N39) Full Citation

8.

Niue.1975.‘Short Title.’ Arms Act (1975), Reviewed 2006.Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q4909)Full Citation

9.

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

10.

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

11.

Niue.1975.‘Short Title.’ Arms Act (1975), Reviewed 2006.Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q4908)Full Citation

12.

Niue.1975.‘Regulations.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q400)Full Citation

13.

Niue.1975.‘Permits for Possession.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q395)Full Citation

14.

Niue.1975.‘Registration May be Refused or Existing Certificate Revoked.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q397)Full Citation

15.

Niue.1975.‘Registration.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q401)Full Citation

16.

Niue.1975.‘Interpretation.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q399)Full Citation

17.

Niue.1975.‘Possession of Unlawful Weapon.’ Arms Act (1975), Reviewed 2006.Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q4910)Full Citation

18.

Niue.1975.‘Carriage or Possession of Arms.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q393)Full Citation

19.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Genuine Reason: A Snapshot of Pacific Definitions – Niue.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q394)Full Citation

20.

Niue.1975.‘Sale to and Possession by Young Persons.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q396)Full Citation

21.

Niue.1975.‘Registration.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q398)Full Citation

22.

Niue.1975.‘Regulations.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q402)Full Citation

23.

Niue.1975.‘Forfeitures.’ Arms Act (1975), Reviewed 2006.Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q4911)Full Citation

24.

Niue.1975.‘Authorising Disposal of Firearms.’ Arms Act (1975), Reviewed 2006.Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q4912)Full Citation

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

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.

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