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Oman — 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 Oman is 650,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Oman is 25.42 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, Oman ranked at No. 691

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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, Oman ranked at No. 172

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Number of Licensed Firearm Owners

The number of licensed gun owners in Oman is reported to be 5,0003

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Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 Population

The rate of licensed firearm owners in Oman is 0.214 per 100 people

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Oman are reported to have 56,0505 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Oman are reported to have 9,0556 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Oman, annual homicides by any means total

2002: 157
2001: 13

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

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

2008: 0.608
2007: 1.06
2006: 1.29
2005: 1.67
2004: 2.10
2003: 0.90
2002: 1.35
2001: 0.52
1997: 0.91
1995: 0.94

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Oman, 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 practice3

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Oman is reported to be US$529,9099 (2009)

Import Control

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

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Oman is reported to be US$4,075,7039 (2009)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Oman is low3

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Oman is reported to be US$32011

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Oman is categorised as restrictive12

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Oman is the Inquiries Regulations on Firearms and Ammunitions3

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Oman are regulated by the Directorate General of Criminal Investigations3

Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

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Regulation of Handguns

In Oman, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence3

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Oman, only licensed gun owners3 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 Oman are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, collection, personal protection, security3

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Oman is 25 years3

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Oman must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and domestic violence3 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Oman, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required3

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Oman stipulates3 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Oman, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required3 for a firearm licence

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Licensing Records

In Oman, authorities maintain a record3 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Oman, the law requires13 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 Oman, licensed firearm dealers are required14 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Oman, State agencies are required15 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Oman include3 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Oman include3 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 Oman, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law13

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Firearm Tracing

In Oman, state authorities carry out13 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

League of Arab States

As a member of the League of Arab States, Oman adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200216

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Oman voted to begin17 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 ratified18 by Oman

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Oman 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 Aspects19

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Oman has submitted one or more national reports20 10 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Oman, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated21 10

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated10 by Oman to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Oman 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, Oman has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196722

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list23 Oman 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.

United Nations.1999.‘Analysis of Country Responses.’ United Nations International Study on Firearm Regulation.Vienna:UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division,30 August. (Q1)Full Citation

4.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Oman.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4275)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.

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

8.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Middle East and North 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. (Q3813)Full Citation

9.

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

10.

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

11.

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

12.

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

13.

Oman.2010.‘Marking.’ National Report of Oman 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 Oman to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4668)Full Citation

14.

Oman.2010.‘National Legislation.’ National Report of Oman 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 Oman to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4667)Full Citation

15.

Oman.2010.‘Control of Weapons Depots.’ National Report of Oman 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 Oman to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4669)Full Citation

16.

League of Arab States / UNODA.2002.‘Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Council of the League of Arab States / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,1 January. (Q3215)Full Citation

17.

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

18.

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

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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

22.

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

23.

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