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Paraguay — 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 Paraguay is 1,000,0001 2

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Paraguay is 17.02 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, Paraguay ranked at No. 463

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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 178 countries, Paraguay ranked at No. 372

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Paraguay is reported to be 333,4604

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Paraguay is 5.575

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Estimated Number of Illicit Firearms

Unlawfully held guns cannot be counted, but in Paraguay there are estimated to be 650,0001 4

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Paraguay are reported to have 40,0001 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Paraguay are reported to have 7,0001 4 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Paraguay, annual homicides by any means total

2010: 7416
2009: 7727
2008: 769
2007: 748
2006: 742
2005: 742
2004: 887
2000: 6628
1999: 634
1998: 856

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

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

2010: 11.56
2009: 12.167 6
2008: 12.33
2007: 12.21
2006: 12.34
2005: 12.57
2004: 15.31
2003: 19.359 6
2002: 18.79
2001: 15.56
2000: 15.23
1999: 17.56
1998: 18.5
1997: 18.0
1996: 20.0
1995: 18.6

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Paraguay, annual firearm homicides total

2009: 4666
2006: 47010
2005: 535
2000: 4048
1999: 403
1998: 514

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Paraguay, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2009: 7.36
2006: 7.8110
2005: 9.06
2000: 7.358
1999: 7.52
1998: 9.85

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Suicides (any method)

ChartIn Paraguay, annual suicides by any means total

2009: 31611
2008: 306
2007: 334
2005: 342
2004: 237
2000: 15212

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

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

2006: 6.3011
2004: 4.10
2000: 2.5912

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Gun Suicides

In Paraguay, annual firearm suicides total

2000: 3412

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

2000: 0.5812

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Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Paraguay, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2000: 1512

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

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

2000: 0.2612

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Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

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

2000: 112

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

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

2000: 0.0212

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Regulation of Firearm Exports

In Paraguay, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 13 14

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Paraguay is reported to be US$124,83015 (2004)

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Regulation of Firearm Imports

In Paraguay, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 13 14

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Paraguay is reported to be US$7,375,08115 (2011)

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Paraguay is reported to be US$1,00016

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Paraguay, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law14

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Paraguay includes the Act No. 1910/02 on Firearms, Ammunitions and Explosives13

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Paraguay are regulated by the Department of Military Equipment (DIMABEL)17 13

Gun Owner Licensing

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Licensing Records

In Paraguay, authorities maintain a record17 13 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Paraguay, the law requires17 13 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 Paraguay, State agencies are required18 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Paraguay, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law18

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Firearm Tracing

In Paraguay, state authorities carry out19 13 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Authorities in Paraguay are known to have20 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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Small Arms Destroyed

In Paraguay, the total number of firearms destroyed following recent amnesty, collection and seizure programmes is reported to be 13,63920 (date to be determined)

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Paraguay, it is state policy21 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Organization of American States

On 14 November 1997, as a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Paraguay 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 Paraguay

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Paraguay voted to begin24 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 Paraguay

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Paraguay 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, Paraguay has submitted one or more national reports27 28 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Paraguay, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated28

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Paraguay, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated28

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Paraguay submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is apparent28

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

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

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Paraguay has not declared3 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Paraguay has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194529

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list30 Paraguay as a Participating State

Short References

1.

Karp, Aaron.2009.‘Estimated Total Small Arms, Firearms, and Surpluses in Paraguay, Rounded.’ Surplus Arms in South America: A Survey.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,1 August. (Q5309)Full Citation

2.

Karp, Aaron.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms - Annexe online.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q5)Full Citation

3.

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

4.

Karp, Aaron.2009.‘Country Summaries – Paraguay.’ Surplus Arms in South America: A Survey.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,1 August. (Q5310)Full Citation

5.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Paraguay.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4232)Full Citation

6.

UNODC.2011.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Paraguay.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6330)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.

UNODC.2004.‘Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed.’ Seventh United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (1998-2000).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,19 March. (Q91)Full Citation

9.

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

10.

UNODC.2008.‘Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed.’ Tenth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2005-2006).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q10)Full Citation

11.

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

12.

Jackson, Thomas.2005.‘Global Gun Deaths.’ NISAT Firearm Mortality Database 2005.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 January. (Q12)Full Citation

13.

Paraguay.2008.‘Registration.’ National Report of Paraguay 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 Paraguay to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4623)Full Citation

14.

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

15.

Marsh, Nicholas.2013.‘Database of Authorised Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons.’ NISAT Small Arms Trade Database.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,14 February. (Q16)Full Citation

16.

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

17.

Paraguay.2007.‘Manufacturing and Trafficking (Fabricación y Tráfico).’ National Report of Paraguay 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 Paraguay to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4621)Full Citation

18.

Paraguay.2008.‘Marking.’ National Report of Paraguay 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 Paraguay to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4622)Full Citation

19.

Paraguay.2008.‘Cooperation in Tracing.’ National Report of Paraguay 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 Paraguay to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4624)Full Citation

20.

Godnick, William and Helena Vasquez.2003.‘Weapons Destruction Events facilitated – UN-LiREC.’ Small Arms Control in Latin America: Monitoring the Implementation of Small Arms Control Projects (MISAC).London:International Alert, Security and Peacebuilding Programme,1 March. (Q5565)Full Citation

21.

UNDPI.2006.‘Major Review at United Nations to Assess Progress Made, Actions Needed to Further Stem Illegal Small Arms Trade.’ Department of Public Information, News and Media Division, Peace and Security Section.New York:United Nations,20 June. (Q5075)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.

UN.2013.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York:United Nations General Assembly,7 April. (Q290)Full Citation

30.

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