Papua New Guinea — Gun Facts, Figures and the LawStockpilesGun NumbersCivilian GunsNumber of Privately Owned FirearmsThe estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Papua New Guinea is 71,0001 Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 PopulationThe rate of private gun ownership in Papua New Guinea is 1.22 firearms per 100 people Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World RankingIn 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 RankingIn a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 179 countries, Papua New Guinea ranked at No. 1452 Number of Registered FirearmsRate of Registered Firearms per 100 PopulationThe rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Papua New Guinea is 0.504 Number of Privately Owned RiflesIn Papua New Guinea, the number of rifles in civilian possession is reported to be 4025 Number of Privately Owned ShotgunsIn Papua New Guinea, the number of shotguns in civilian possession is reported to be 48,8035 Number of Privately Owned HandgunsThere are reportedly 7955 handguns in civilian possession in Papua New Guinea Government GunsNumber of Military FirearmsRoutine Arming of PoliceIn Papua New Guinea, police officers on routine patrol carry one or more firearms8 ProductionGun IndustryFirearm ManufactureIn Papua New Guinea, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is prohibited13 Home-made GunsIn Papua New Guinea the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be moderate14 TransfersGun Trade and TraffickingSmuggling Guns and AmmunitionReports 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 End User CertificatesCustoms 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 RegulationFirearm Regulation - Guiding PolicyThe regulation of guns in Papua New Guinea is categorised as restrictive20 Firearm LawGuiding gun control legislation in Papua New Guinea is the Firearms Act, 197821 Firearm Regulation AuthorityGuns in Papua New Guinea are regulated by the Commissioner of Police as the 'Registrar of Firearms'22 Right to Possess FirearmsIn Papua New Guinea, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law19 Prohibited Firearms and AmmunitionGun Owner LicensingIn Papua New Guinea, only licensed gun owners27 28 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition Genuine Reason Required for Firearm LicenceMinimum Age for Firearm PossessionGun Owner Background ChecksReference Required for Firearm LicenceIn Papua New Guinea, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required19 Domestic Violence and FirearmsWhere 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 TrainingIn 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 PeriodLicensing RecordsLimit on Number of GunsLicensed firearm owners in Papua New Guinea are permitted to possess 1 firearm27 Limit on Quantity, Type of AmmunitionA licensed firearm owner in Papua New Guinea is permitted to possess only ammunition of a calibre or gauge suitable for the licensed firearm35 Firearm RegistrationCivilian Gun RegistrationGun Dealer Record KeepingState-Owned Firearm RecordsIn 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 TransfersRegulation of Private Gun SalesRegulation of Dealer Gun SalesWaiting Period for Gun PossessionIn Papua New Guinea, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined19 Regulation of Gun ShowsIn Papua New Guinea, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are regulated40 in law Storage and Transport of Guns and AmmunitionFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - PrivateFirearm 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 - DealerFirearm 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 RegulationsRegulations 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 AmmunitionFirearm MarkingIn Papua New Guinea, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is not required by law36 Firearm TracingIn Papua New Guinea, state authorities carry out36 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures Ballistic Marking of Firearms and AmmunitionIn Papua New Guinea, state authorities do not employ19 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition Penalty for Illicit Firearm PossessionIn Papua New Guinea, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 6 months prison or a fine not exceeding K1,500.0043 MeasuresInternational ControlsRegional AgreementsPacific Islands ForumAs 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 TreatyIn 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 ProtocolThe 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 UNPoAUNPoA CommitmentOn 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 ReportingUNPoA National Point of ContactUNPoA National Coordinating BodyUNPoA Civil Society Involvement and SupportIn 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 – DonorFunds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated53 by Papua New Guinea to other UN Member States United Nations Small Arms RegisterAccording 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 MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, Papua New Guinea has been a Member State of the United Nations since 197557 Wassenaar ArrangementThe 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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