Find Gun Policy Facts

Armed violence prevention, gun control laws and the small arms trade:

Research supported by

Go To...

Sierra Leone — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

expand all collapse all

StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

Compare
Number of Privately Owned Firearms

The estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Sierra Leone is 34,0001

Compare
Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Sierra Leone is 0.62 firearms per 100 people

Compare
Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Sierra Leone ranked at No. 1601

Compare
Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 179 countries, Sierra Leone ranked at No. 1642

Government Guns

Compare
Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Sierra Leone are reported to have 5,9853 firearms

Compare
Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Sierra Leone are reported to have 9,8004 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

Number of Homicides (any method)

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

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

2008: 2.605
2007: 2.40
2006: 1.85
2005: 1.85
2004: 18.05
2002: 50.30

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Sierra Leone, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 6

Compare
Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Sierra Leone is reported to be US$2,379,7207 (2009)

Import Control

In Sierra Leone, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 6 8 9

Compare
Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Sierra Leone is reported to be US$1,3847 (2009)

Compare
Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Sierra Leone is moderate10

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Sierra Leone is reported to be US$10011

Compare
Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Sierra Leone, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law6

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Sierra Leone are regulated by the Sierra Leone Police and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces8

Firearm Registration

Compare
State-Owned Firearm Records

In Sierra Leone, State agencies are required8 9 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

Compare
Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Government

Government regulations in Sierra Leone include8 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

Compare
Firearm Marking

In Sierra Leone, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law9

Compare
Firearm Tracing

In Sierra Leone, state authorities carry out9 12 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Compare
Surrendered in Gun Amnesty

In Sierra Leone, the number of firearms and/or rounds of ammunition voluntarily surrendered for destruction in recent arms amnesty and collection programmes is reported to be 56,16313 (1996-04)

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Sierra Leone adopted an African Common Position to take to the Conference to Review the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), held in June 200614

Economic Community of West African States

In June 2006, as a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Sierra Leone adopted the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and other Related Materials. This stipulates strict controls on the transfer, manufacture, possession and security of small arms and light weapons15

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Sierra Leone voted to begin16 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

Compare
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, but not yet ratified17 by Sierra Leone

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Sierra Leone 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 Aspects18

Compare
UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Sierra Leone has submitted one or more national reports19 20 on its implementation of the UNPoA

Compare
UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Sierra Leone, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated21 20

Compare
UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Sierra Leone, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated21

Compare
UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Sierra Leone submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is apparent21 20

Compare
UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated20 by Sierra Leone to other UN Member States

Compare
UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided20 to Sierra Leone by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Sierra Leone 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, Sierra Leone has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196122

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list23 Sierra Leone as a Participating State
Last Updated on 18 March 2012

Short References

1.

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

2.

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

3.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q6)Full Citation

4.

Karp, Aaron.2006.‘Trickle and Torrent: State stockpiles.’ Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q7)Full Citation

5.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Sub-Saharan Africa, 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. (Q3812)Full Citation

6.

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

7.

Marsh, Nicholas.2011.‘Database of Authorised Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons.’ NISAT Small Arms Trade Database.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 June. (Q16)Full Citation

8.

Sierra Leone.2010.‘Stockpile Management.’ National Report of Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone to the United Nations,23 June. (Q4744)Full Citation

9.

Sierra Leone.2010.‘Marking, Record Keeping And Tracing.’ National Report of Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone to the United Nations,23 June. (Q4745)Full Citation

10.

AEFJN.2010.‘Countries that Send Arms to Embargoed Territories.’ Arms Exports and Transfers: From Sub-Saharan Africa to Sub-Saharan Africa.Brussels:Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network (AEFJN),1 December. (Q5101)Full Citation

11.

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

12.

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. (Q5076)Full Citation

13.

Karp, Aaron.2009.‘Summary of Disarmament Outcomes in 45 DDR Programmes.’ Small Arms Survey 2009: Shadows of War.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,9 July. (Q2941)Full Citation

14.

African Union / UNODA.2005.‘Windhoek Common Position.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:African Union / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 December. (Q3216)Full Citation

15.

ECOWAS / UNODA.2006.‘Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and other Related Materials.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Economic Community of West African States Secretariat / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 June. (Q3219)Full Citation

16.

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

17.

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

18.

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

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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

22.

UN.2009.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York:United Nations General Assembly,11 May. (Q290)Full Citation

23.

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