Singapore — Gun Facts, Figures and the LawStockpilesGun NumbersCivilian GunsNumber of Privately Owned FirearmsThe estimated total number of guns held by civilians in Singapore is 22,0001 Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 PopulationThe rate of private gun ownership in Singapore is 0.51 firearms per 100 people Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World RankingIn a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Singapore ranked at No. 1632 Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World RankingIn a comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, Singapore ranked at No. 1691 Number of Registered FirearmsThe number of registered guns in Singapore is reported to be 7953 Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 PopulationThe rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Singapore is 3.144 Number of Privately Owned RiflesIn Singapore, the number of rifles in civilian possession is reported to be 1033 Number of Privately Owned ShotgunsIn Singapore, the number of shotguns in civilian possession is reported to be 2143 Number of Privately Owned HandgunsThere are reportedly 4763 handguns in civilian possession in Singapore ImpactsDeath and InjuryHomicides (any method)ProductionGun IndustryRegulation of Firearm MakersIn Singapore, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence18 Small Arms Manufacture - World RankingIn a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, Singapore is ranked 'medium'19 TransfersGun Trade and TraffickingRegulation of Firearm ExportsSmall Arms Exports (US$) - CustomsThe annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Singapore is reported to be US$11,831,50021 (2011) Small Arms Exports - World RankingIn a comparison of the world's major/mid-level/minor/unknown small arms exporters, Singapore is categorized as 'unknown'22 Smuggling Guns and AmmunitionReports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Singapore is negligible3 Market Cost of an AK-47 Assault Rifle (US$)The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Singapore is reported to be US$1,50024 Regulation of Arms BrokersIn Singapore, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law25 End User CertificatesCustoms regulations in Singapore do not include26 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use Transparency of Small Arms TransfersIn the most recent survey of state transparency when declaring firearm and ammunition exports, Singapore was ranked number 44 among 49 major small arms exporting nations in 2011, with a score of 7.00 points of a possible total of 2527 MeasuresGun RegulationFirearm Regulation - Guiding PolicyThe regulation of guns in Singapore is categorised as restrictive28 Right to Possess FirearmsIn Singapore, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law26 Prohibited Firearms and AmmunitionRegulation of Automatic Assault WeaponsRegulation of Semiautomatic Assault WeaponsGun Owner LicensingIn Singapore, only licensed gun owners18 34 35 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 Singapore, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required26 Domestic Violence and FirearmsWhere a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Singapore does not stipulate26 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked Firearm Safety TrainingGun Owner Licensing PeriodLicensing RecordsIn Singapore, authorities maintain a record33 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition Limit on Number of GunsLicensed firearm owners in Singapore are permitted to possess any number of firearms26 Limit on Quantity, Type of AmmunitionA licensed firearm owner in Singapore is permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition26 Firearm RegistrationCivilian Gun RegistrationIn Singapore, the law requires33 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register Gun Dealer Record KeepingGun Manufacturer Record KeepingIn Singapore, licensed gun makers are required42 to keep a record of each firearm produced, for inspection by a regulating authority Gun Sales and TransfersRegulation of Private Gun SalesIn Singapore, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited44 Regulation of Dealer Gun SalesIn Singapore, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful44 Waiting Period for Gun PossessionIn Singapore, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined26 Regulation of Gun ShowsIn Singapore, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated26 in law Storage and Transport of Guns and AmmunitionFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - PrivateFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - DealerFirearm regulations in Singapore do not include26 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers Firearm and Ammunition Transport RegulationsRegulations in Singapore do not include26 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit Carrying GunsCarrying Guns Openly in PublicIn Singapore, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit39 MeasuresInternational ControlsUnited Nations Arms Trade TreatyIn 2009, Singapore voted to begin46 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 signed47 by Singapore United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoAUNPoA CommitmentOn 21 July 2001, Singapore 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 Aspects48 UNPoA National ReportingUNPoA National Point of ContactUNPoA International Assistance – DonorFunds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated50 by Singapore to other UN Member States United Nations Small Arms RegisterAccording to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Singapore has not declared2 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports. United Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, Singapore has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196552 Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list53 Singapore 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.
-
2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q4)Full Citation
- 3.
-
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.
-
2011.‘Calculated Rates – Singapore.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4254)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.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Singapore.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6314)Full Citation
- 8.
-
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
- 9.
-
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
- 10.
-
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
- 11.
-
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
- 12.
-
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
- 13.
-
2005.‘Global Gun Deaths.’ NISAT Firearm Mortality Database 2005.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 January. (Q12)Full Citation
- 14.
-
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
- 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. (Q1298)Full Citation
- 16.
-
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
- 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. (Q1300)Full Citation
- 18.
-
2003.‘Licences Required in Respect of Guns, Arms, Explosives, etc..’ Arms and Explosives Act 2003 (Chapter 13) [Revised Edition with Amendments to 2010].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,21 March. (Q1115)Full Citation
- 19.
-
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
- 20.
-
2003.‘Minister May Prohibit Exportation by Notification.’ Arms and Explosives Act 2003 (Chapter 13) [Revised Edition with Amendments to 2010].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,21 March. (Q5177)Full Citation
- 21.
-
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
- 22.
-
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
- 23.
-
2003.‘Knowingly Concealing Arms, etc., Imported Without Licence.’ Arms and Explosives Act 2003 (Chapter 13) [Revised Edition with Amendments to 2010].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,21 March. (Q5180)Full Citation
- 24.
-
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
- 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.
-
2003.‘Short Title.’ Arms and Explosives Act 2003 (Chapter 13) [Revised Edition with Amendments to 2010].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,21 March. (Q5175)Full Citation
- 27.
-
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
- 28.
-
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
- 29.
-
2003.‘Short Title.’ Arms and Explosives Act 2003 (Chapter 13) [Revised Edition with Amendments to 2010].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,21 March. (Q5174)Full Citation
- 30.
-
1973.‘Short Title.’ Arms Offences Act (Chapter 14) [Revised Edition 2008].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,8 February. (Q1126)Full Citation
- 31.
-
2003.‘Restrictions on Issuing of Licences.’ Arms and Explosives Act 2003 (Chapter 13) [Revised Edition with Amendments to 2010].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,21 March. (Q1117)Full Citation
- 32.
-
2003.‘Appointment of Licensing Officer.’ Arms and Explosives Act 2003 (Chapter 13) [Revised Edition with Amendments to 2010].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,21 March. (Q5176)Full Citation
- 33.
-
2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5373)Full Citation
- 34.
-
2003.‘No Purchase of Guns or Arms from Licensed Dealer Without Licence.’ Arms and Explosives Act 2003 (Chapter 13) [Revised Edition with Amendments to 2010].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,21 March. (Q5178)Full Citation
- 35.
-
2003.‘Conditions of Licences.’ Arms and Explosives Act 2003 (Chapter 13) [Revised Edition with Amendments to 2010].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,21 March. (Q5179)Full Citation
- 36.
-
2011.‘For Target Practice.’ Guidelines on Application for a Licence to Possess Arm.Singapore:Singapore Police Force,26 June. (Q5209)Full Citation
- 37.
-
2011.‘Licensing Conditions for Licence to Possess Arm for Target Practice.’ Conditions on Application for a Licence to Possess Arm.Singapore:Singapore Police Force,26 June. (Q5212)Full Citation
- 38.
-
2011.‘For Self-Protection.’ Guidelines on Application for a Licence to Possess Arm.Singapore:Singapore Police Force,26 June. (Q5210)Full Citation
- 39.
-
2011.‘Licensing Conditions for Licence to Possess Arm for Self-Protection.’ Conditions on Application for a Licence to Possess Arm.Singapore:Singapore Police Force,26 June. (Q5211)Full Citation
- 40.
-
2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5395)Full Citation
- 41.
-
2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5446)Full Citation
- 42.
-
2003.‘Failure to Keep Prescribed Book or Make Prescribed Entry or Making False Entry.’ Arms and Explosives Act 2003 (Chapter 13) [Revised Edition with Amendments to 2010].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,21 March. (Q1123)Full Citation
- 43.
-
2003.‘Obstructing Inspection of Stock-in-Trade.’ Arms and Explosives Act 2003 (Chapter 13) [Revised Edition with Amendments to 2010].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,21 March. (Q5181)Full Citation
- 44.
-
2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5392)Full Citation
- 45.
-
1973.‘Penalty for Being in Unlawful Possession of Arms or Ammunition.’ Arms Offences Act (Chapter 14) [Revised Edition 2008].Singapore:Parliament of Singapore,8 February. (Q5182)Full Citation
- 46.
-
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
- 47.
-
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
- 48.
-
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
- 49.
-
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
- 50.
-
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
- 51.
-
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
- 52.
-
2013.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York:United Nations General Assembly,7 April. (Q290)Full Citation
- 53.
-
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

Top of Page
