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Samoa — 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 Samoa is 17,8451

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Samoa is 8.22 firearms per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Samoa is reported to be 17,8451

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Number of Privately Owned Rifles

In Samoa, the number of rifles in civilian possession is reported to be 6,9481

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Number of Privately Owned Shotguns

In Samoa, the number of shotguns in civilian possession is reported to be 10,8971

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Number of Privately Owned Handguns

There are reportedly 5003 handguns in civilian possession in Samoa

Government Guns

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Routine Arming of Police

In Samoa, police officers on routine patrol do not carry a firearm4

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Samoa are reported to have 1425 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

In Samoa, annual homicides by any means total

2008: 26

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

In Samoa, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2008: 1.16

Gun Homicides

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2004: 1.107
2002: 1.10

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Suicides (any method)

In Samoa, annual suicides by any means total

1995: 48

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

In Samoa, the annual rate of suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

1995: 2.258

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Gun Suicides

ChartIn Samoa, annual firearm suicides total

1997: 18
1995: 29

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

1997: 0.568

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Unintentional Gun Deaths

ChartIn Samoa, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

1997: 18
1995: 210

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

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

1997: 0.568

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Samoa, 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 practice11 3

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Home-made Guns

In Samoa the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be nonexistent12

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Regulation of Firearm Exports

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

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Samoa is reported to be US$3914 (2011)

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Regulation of Firearm Imports

In Samoa, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 15

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Samoa is reported to be US$50,83414 (2011)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

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

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Samoa, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law16 13

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Samoa do not include16 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

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Samoa is categorised as restrictive17

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Samoa includes the Arms Ordinance 196018

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Samoa are regulated by the Commissioner of Police and an Arms Officer, appointed by the Commissioner19 20

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Samoa, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law16

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Samoa, civilians are not allowed to possess any handgun, pistol or revolver, automatic firearm, or any firearm other than a .22 single-shot rifle, an airgun or a shotgun20 21

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Samoa, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited20 21

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Samoa, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is prohibited20 21

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Regulation of Handguns

In Samoa, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited20 21

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Samoa, only licensed gun owners22 23 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 Samoa are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm24

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Samoa is 21 years25

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Samoa must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental,addiction, and other various26 24 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Samoa, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required16

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Samoa does not stipulate16 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Samoa, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required16 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Samoa gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 1 year23 11 15

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Licensing Records

In Samoa, authorities maintain a record23 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Samoa are permitted to possess any number of firearms16

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Samoa is permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition16

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Samoa, the law requires23 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 Samoa, licensed firearm dealers are required27 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Samoa, the private sale and transfer of firearms is permitted22

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Samoa, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful11

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Samoa, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined16

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In Samoa, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated16 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Samoa do not include16 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Dealer

Firearm regulations in Samoa do not include16 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Samoa do not include16 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 Samoa, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is not required by law16

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Firearm Tracing

In Samoa, state authorities do not carry out16 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In Samoa, state authorities employ15 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Samoa, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is up to 2 years prison and/or a fine23 22

Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Samoa, it is not state policy21 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, Samoa 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 Forum28 29

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Samoa voted to begin30 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 not been signed31 by Samoa

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Samoa 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 Aspects32

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Samoa has yet to submit a national report33 34 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Samoa, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated35 34

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Samoa, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated35 34

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Samoa submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent35 34

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated34 by Samoa to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided34 to Samoa by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Samoa has not declared36 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Samoa has been a Member State of the United Nations since 197637

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list38 Samoa as a Participating State

Short References

1.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Stockpiles and Trafficking in the Pacific.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q143)Full Citation

2.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Lawful Stockpiles.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q144)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.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Stockpiles and Trafficking in the Pacific: Police Inventories.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q145)Full Citation

5.

Karp, Aaron.2003.‘Fewer Blanks: Global Firearm Stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q330)Full Citation

6.

UNODC.2011.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Samoa.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6239)Full Citation

7.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘East Asia and the Pacific, 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. (Q3814)Full Citation

8.

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

9.

United Nations.1998.‘Rate of Deaths Caused By Suicide and Suicide Deaths Caused by Firearms.’ United Nations International Study on Firearm Regulation.Vienna:UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division,1 August. (Q53)Full Citation

10.

United Nations.1998.‘Deaths Caused By an Accident Involving a Firearm.’ United Nations International Study on Firearm Regulation.Vienna:UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division,1 August. (Q55)Full Citation

11.

Samoa.1960.‘Dealers in Arms and Ammunition to be Licensed.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5028)Full Citation

12.

United Nations.1998.‘Illegal Manufacture Frequency.’ United Nations International Study on Firearm Regulation.Vienna:UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division,1 August. (Q47)Full Citation

13.

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

14.

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

15.

Samoa.1960.‘Permits for Import of Firearms.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5030)Full Citation

16.

Samoa.1960.‘Short Title and Commencement.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5025)Full Citation

17.

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

18.

Samoa.1960.‘Short Title and Commencement.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5024)Full Citation

19.

Samoa.1960.‘Appointment of Arms Officer.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5027)Full Citation

20.

Samoa.1960.‘Interpretation.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5026)Full Citation

21.

Samoa.1960.‘Possession of Unlawful Weapon.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5036)Full Citation

22.

Samoa.1960.‘Permits for Possession.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5031)Full Citation

23.

Samoa.1960.‘Registration of Firearms.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5033)Full Citation

24.

Samoa.1960.‘Carriage or Possession of Arms, Ammunition, or Explosives, Except for Proper Purposes, Prohibited.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5037)Full Citation

25.

Samoa.1960.‘Sale to and Possession by Young Persons of Firearms and Ammunition.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5032)Full Citation

26.

Samoa.1960.‘Certificate of Registration May be Refused or Existing Certificate Revoked.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5035)Full Citation

27.

Samoa.1960.‘Record of Dealings by Licensed Dealers.’ The Arms Ordinance 1960 [Consolidated Law as at 31 December 2007].Apia:Attorney General of Samoa,11 August. (Q5029)Full Citation

28.

SPCPC/OCO.2000.‘Towards a Common Approach to Weapons Control: The 'Nadi Framework'.’ South Pacific Chiefs of Police Conference (SPCPC) and Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO).Nadi, Fiji:Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat,10 March. (Q576)Full Citation

29.

Baker, Jean.2000.‘Weapons Control Bill: Explanatory Notes.’ Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.Suva, Fiji:Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat,10 March. (Q577)Full Citation

30.

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

31.

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

32.

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

33.

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

34.

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

35.

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

36.

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

37.

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

38.

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