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Papua New Guinea — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

Number of Privately Owned Firearms

The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Papua New Guinea is 71,0001

Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Papua New Guinea is 1.22 firearms per 100 people

Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Papua New Guinea ranked at No. 1451

Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 179 countries, Papua New Guinea ranked at No. 1452

Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Papua New Guinea is reported to be 27,0431 3

Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Papua New Guinea is 0.504

Number of Privately Owned Rifles

In Papua New Guinea, the number of rifles in civilian possession is reported to be 4025

Number of Privately Owned Shotguns

In Papua New Guinea, the number of shotguns in civilian possession is reported to be 48,8035

Number of Privately Owned Handguns

There are reportedly 7955 handguns in civilian possession in Papua New Guinea

Government Guns

Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Papua New Guinea are reported to have 2,3006 to 10,0007 firearms

Routine Arming of Police

In Papua New Guinea, police officers on routine patrol carry one or more firearms8

Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Papua New Guinea are reported to have 7,0009 to 8,80010 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Papua New Guinea, annual homicides by any means total

2000: 46511
1999: 450
1998: 502

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

ChartIn Papua New Guinea, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2004: 15.2012
2002: 15.60
2000: 9.0611
1999: 8.99
1998: 10.28

ProductionGun Industry

Firearm Manufacture

In Papua New Guinea, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is prohibited13

Home-made Guns

In Papua New Guinea the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be moderate14

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Papua New Guinea, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 15

Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Papua New Guinea is reported to be US$4,05016 (2003)

Import Control

In Papua New Guinea, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 17

Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Papua New Guinea is reported to be US$13,43916 (2009)

Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Papua New Guinea is high5

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Papua New Guinea is reported to be US$2,40018

Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Papua New Guinea, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law19 17

End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Papua New Guinea do not include19 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

Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Papua New Guinea is categorised as restrictive20

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Papua New Guinea is the Firearms Act, 197821

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Papua New Guinea are regulated by the Commissioner of Police as the 'Registrar of Firearms'22

Right to Possess Firearms

In Papua New Guinea, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law19

Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Papua New Guinea, civilians are not allowed to possess machine guns, and pistols or high-powered firearms not licensed before 199923 24 25

Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Papua New Guinea, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited23 25

Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Papua New Guinea, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted under a licence issued before 199924 25 26

Regulation of Handguns

In Papua New Guinea, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under a licence issued before 199924 25 26

Gun Owner Licensing

In Papua New Guinea, only licensed gun owners27 28 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Licence

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Papua New Guinea are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, sports shooting, self-defence, hunting, veterinary purposes, scientific research, destruction of stock, and any other purpose approved by the Registrar27 25 29 30

Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Papua New Guinea is 18 years27 29 30

Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Papua New Guinea must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental, and violence27 29 30 records

Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Papua New Guinea, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required19

Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Papua New Guinea stipulates29 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

Firearm Safety Training

In Papua New Guinea, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required19 for a firearm licence

Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Papua New Guinea gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 1 year27 31 32

Licensing Records

In Papua New Guinea, authorities maintain a record33 34 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Papua New Guinea are permitted to possess 1 firearm27

Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Papua New Guinea is permitted to possess only ammunition of a calibre or gauge suitable for the licensed firearm35

Firearm Registration

Civilian Gun Registration

In Papua New Guinea, the law requires33 36 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In Papua New Guinea, licensed firearm dealers requires37 33 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

State-Owned Firearm Records

In Papua New Guinea, State agencies are required36 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Gun Sales and Transfers

Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Papua New Guinea, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited38 39

Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Papua New Guinea, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful38 40

Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Papua New Guinea, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined19

Regulation of Gun Shows

In Papua New Guinea, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are regulated40 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Papua New Guinea include41 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Dealer

Firearm regulations in Papua New Guinea include40 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Papua New Guinea do not include19 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

Firearm Marking

In Papua New Guinea, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is not required by law36

Firearm Tracing

In Papua New Guinea, state authorities carry out36 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In Papua New Guinea, state authorities do not employ19 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Papua New Guinea, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit42 28 31

Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Papua New Guinea, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit42 28 31

Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Papua New Guinea, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 6 months prison or a fine not exceeding K1,500.0043

Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Papua New Guinea, it is state policy44 45 46 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, Papua New Guinea 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 Forum47 48

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Papua New Guinea voted to begin49 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

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 signed50 by Papua New Guinea

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Papua New Guinea 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 Aspects51

UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Papua New Guinea has submitted one or more national reports52 53 on its implementation of the UNPoA

UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Papua New Guinea, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated54 53

UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Papua New Guinea, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated54 53

UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Papua New Guinea submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is apparent53

UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated53 by Papua New Guinea to other UN Member States

UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided53 55 56 to Papua New Guinea by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Papua New Guinea 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, Papua New Guinea has been a Member State of the United Nations since 197557

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list58 Papua New Guinea as a Participating State


Last Updated on 9 February 2012

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