Top of Page
Portugal — Gun Facts, Figures and the LawStockpilesGun NumbersCivilian GunsNumber of Privately Owned FirearmsRate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 PopulationThe rate of private gun ownership in Portugal is 8.51 firearms per 100 people Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World RankingIn a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Portugal ranked at No. 553 Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World RankingIn a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, Portugal ranked at No. 721 Number of Registered FirearmsThe number of registered guns in Portugal is reported to be 1,400,0002 Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 PopulationThe rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Portugal is 13.044 Estimated Number of Illicit FirearmsUnlawfully held guns cannot be counted, but in Portugal there are estimated to be 1,200,0002 Estimated Rate of Illicit Firearms per 100 PopulationUnlawfully held guns cannot be counted, but in Portugal there are estimated to be 11.184 illicit firearms per 100 people ImpactsDeath and InjuryHomicides (any method)Gun HomicidesGun Homicides (Other)Gun SuicidesGun Suicides (Other)Unintentional Gun DeathsUnintentional Long Gun DeathsUnintentional Gun Deaths (Other)Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseLong Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseGun Deaths (Other) from Undetermined CauseProductionGun IndustrySmall Arms Manufacture - World RankingIn a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, Portugal is ranked 'small'24 TransfersGun Trade and TraffickingRegulation of Firearm ExportsMarket Cost of an AK-47 Assault Rifle (US$)The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Portugal is reported to be US$60032 Regulation of Arms BrokersIn Portugal, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law33 Transparency of Small Arms TransfersIn the most recent survey of state transparency when declaring firearm and ammunition exports, Portugal was ranked number 20 among 49 major small arms exporting nations in 2011, with a score of 12.25 points of a possible total of 2534 MeasuresGun RegulationFirearm Regulation AuthorityGuns in Portugal are regulated by the European Commission36 Prohibited Firearms and AmmunitionGun Owner LicensingIn Portugal, only licensed gun owners41 37 39 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition Genuine Reason Required for Firearm LicenceApplicants for a gun owner’s licence in Portugal are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, personal protection, security42 Minimum Age for Firearm PossessionThe minimum age for gun ownership in Portugal is 18 years42 Gun Owner Background ChecksAn applicant for a firearm licence in Portugal must pass background checks which consider criminal and mental42 records Limit on Quantity, Type of AmmunitionA licensed firearm owner in Portugal is permitted to possess only ammunition suitable for the intended firearm43 Firearm RegistrationCivilian Gun RegistrationGun Dealer Record KeepingIn Portugal, licensed firearm dealers are required45 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority State-Owned Firearm RecordsIn Portugal, State agencies are required46 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control MeasuresInternational ControlsRegional AgreementsEuropean UnionEuropean Union Export ReportingUnder the European Union Common Position on Arms Exports, Portugal is bound to declare its transfers of military technology and equipment. Independent monitoring provides detailed comparisons of arms export reporting compliance across EU member states, and records that Portugal has submitted one or more national reports52 on its arms transfers United Nations Arms Trade TreatyIn 2009, Portugal voted to begin53 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 been signed, and ratified54 by Portugal United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoAUNPoA CommitmentOn 21 July 2001, Portugal 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 Aspects55 UNPoA National ReportingUNPoA National Point of ContactUNPoA National Coordinating BodyUNPoA International Assistance – DonorFunds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated57 by Portugal to other UN Member States United Nations Small Arms RegisterAccording to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Portugal has declared3 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports. United Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, Portugal has been a Member State of the United Nations since 195559 Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies lists60 Portugal as a Participating State |
Short References
- 1.
-
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
- 2.
-
2010.‘Small Arms Supply in Portugal: Legal and Illegal Markets – Small Arms Circulation in Portugal.’ Violence and Small Arms: The Portuguese Case (Online Bulletin of the Peace Studies Group).Coimbra:Peace Studies Group - Centre for Social Studies, School of Economics, University of Coimbra,1 December. (Q4189)Full Citation
- 3.
-
2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q4)Full Citation
- 4.
-
2011.‘Calculated Rates – Portugal.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4308)Full Citation
- 5.
-
2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q6)Full Citation
- 6.
-
2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q7)Full Citation
- 7.
-
2011.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Total Firearm Death.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,15 September. (Q5684)Full Citation
- 8.
-
2011.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Portugal.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6260)Full Citation
- 9.
-
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
- 10.
-
2006.‘Reported Overall Homicide Numbers and Rates per 100,000 Population for 64 Countries, 2003-04.’ Ninth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2003 – 2004).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q9)Full Citation
- 11.
-
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
- 12.
-
2001.‘Portugal: Total Recorded Intentional Homicides (Completed) and Total Recorded Intentional Homicides Committed With a Firearm.’ Sixth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems, covering the period 1995-1997.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,27 June. (Q1311)Full Citation
- 13.
-
1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1301)Full Citation
- 14.
-
2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Gun Homicide in Portugal.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,21 February. (Q6068)Full Citation
- 15.
-
1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1297)Full Citation
- 16.
-
2005.‘Global Gun Deaths.’ NISAT Firearm Mortality Database 2005.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 January. (Q12)Full Citation
- 17.
-
1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1302)Full Citation
- 18.
-
2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Gun Suicide in Portugal.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,2 March. (Q6160)Full Citation
- 19.
-
1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1298)Full Citation
- 20.
-
2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Unintentional Gun Deaths in Portugal.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,12 March. (Q6199)Full Citation
- 21.
-
1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1299)Full Citation
- 22.
-
2012.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Cause of Death – Gun Death from Undetermined Cause in Portugal.’ European Detailed Mortality Database (DMDB).Copenhagen:World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe,27 June. (Q6458)Full Citation
- 23.
-
1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centres for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1300)Full Citation
- 24.
-
2001.‘Ranking of World's Small Arms Producers (By Sales).’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q103)Full Citation
- 25.
-
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
- 26.
-
1991.‘Article 11.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2414)Full Citation
- 27.
-
1991.‘Article 12.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2415)Full Citation
- 28.
-
1991.‘Article 13.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2416)Full Citation
- 29.
-
1991.‘Article 14.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2417)Full Citation
- 30.
-
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
- 31.
-
2001.‘60 Known Legal Small Arms Exporting Countries, 2001.’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q867)Full Citation
- 32.
-
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
- 33.
-
1991.‘Article 4b.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2408)Full Citation
- 34.
-
2011.‘Small Arms Trade Transparency Barometer 2011, covering major exporters.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5354)Full Citation
- 35.
-
1991.‘European Weapons Directive.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2403)Full Citation
- 36.
-
1991.‘Article 18.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2418)Full Citation
- 37.
-
1991.‘Article 6.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2410)Full Citation
- 38.
-
1991.‘Annex 1.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2419)Full Citation
- 39.
-
1991.‘Article 7.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2411)Full Citation
- 40.
-
1991.‘Article 8.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2412)Full Citation
- 41.
-
1991.‘Article 4a.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2407)Full Citation
- 42.
-
1991.‘Article 5.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2409)Full Citation
- 43.
-
1991.‘Article 10.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2413)Full Citation
- 44.
-
2010.‘Record Keeping.’ National Report of Portugal 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 Portugal to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4573)Full Citation
- 45.
-
1991.‘Article 4.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2406)Full Citation
- 46.
-
2010.‘Stockpile Management.’ National Report of Portugal 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 Portugal to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4571)Full Citation
- 47.
-
1991.‘Article 4.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2405)Full Citation
- 48.
-
2010.‘Marking.’ National Report of Portugal 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 Portugal to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4572)Full Citation
- 49.
-
1991.‘Article 4.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2404)Full Citation
- 50.
-
2007.‘Roll-call Vote: EU Firearms Directive.’ Legislative Resolution on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons.Brussels:VoteWatch.eu,29 November. (Q1346)Full Citation
- 51.
-
2007.‘Draft Legislative Resolution on the EU Parliament Firearms Directive 2007.’ Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons.Brussels:European Parliament,12 July. (Q1970)Full Citation
- 52.
-
2010.‘EU Arms Transfer Reporting Database.’ Saferworld European Union Arms Transfer Reporting Database.London:Saferworld,9 December. (Q3364)Full Citation
- 53.
-
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
- 54.
-
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
- 55.
-
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
- 56.
-
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
- 57.
-
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
- 58.
-
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
- 59.
-
2013.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York:United Nations General Assembly,7 April. (Q290)Full Citation
- 60.
-
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
