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Solomon Islands — 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 the Solomon Islands is 1,7751

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in the Solomon Islands is 0.352 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, the Solomon Islands ranked at No. 1783

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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 179 countries, the Solomon Islands ranked at No. 1744

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in the Solomon Islands is 0.155

Government Guns

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Routine Arming of Police

In the Solomon Islands, police officers on routine patrol carry one or more firearms6

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in the Solomon Islands are reported to have 2,0197 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

Number of Homicides (any method)

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

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

2004: 1.568

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In the Solomon Islands, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is prohibited9

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Home-made Guns

In the Solomon Islands the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be moderate10 11

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In the Solomon Islands, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 12

Import Control

In the Solomon Islands, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 13 14

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to the Solomon Islands is reported to be US$12,86415 (2008)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in the Solomon Islands is low16

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in the Solomon Islands is reported to be US$2,40017

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In the Solomon Islands, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law18 19

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in the Solomon Islands do not include18 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 the Solomon Islands is categorised as restrictive20

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in the Solomon Islands is the Firearms and Ammunition Act 1967 (Revised 1996)21

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in the Solomon Islands are regulated by the Principal Licensing Officer22

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Right to Possess Firearms

In the Solomon Islands, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law18

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In the Solomon Islands, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, semi-automatic firearms, handguns, pistols and revolvers, as well as .300, .303, .38 and .45 inch, and 7.62 and 9 millimetre calibre firearms and ammunition.23 24 Since April 1999, all civilian firearms licences have been suspended and owners required to surrender all arms and ammunition25

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In the Solomon Islands, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited23 24

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In the Solomon Islands, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is prohibited23

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Regulation of Handguns

In the Solomon Islands, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited23

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Gun Owner Licensing

In the Solomon Islands, only licensed gun owners26 (Note: since April 1999, all civilian firearms licences have been suspended and owners required to surrender all arms and ammunition25 27) 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 the Solomon Islands are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, fishing26 28

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in the Solomon Islands is 21 years29

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in the Solomon Islands must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and addiction26 30 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In the Solomon Islands, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required18

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in the Solomon Islands do not stipulate18 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In the Solomon Islands, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required31 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In the Solomon Islands gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 1 year26

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In the Solomon Islands, the law does not require32 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 the Solomon Islands, licensed firearm dealers are required33 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In the Solomon Islands, State agencies are required34 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In the Solomon Islands, the private sale and transfer of firearms is permitted35

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In the Solomon Islands, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful33 35

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In the Solomon Islands, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are regulated33 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in the Solomon Islands include36 26 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 the Solomon Islands include37 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 the Solomon Islands do not include18 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 the Solomon Islands, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law38 39 40

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Firearm Tracing

In the Solomon Islands, state authorities do not carry out38 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In the Solomon Islands, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 5 to 10 years prison41

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Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Authorities in the Solomon Islands are known to have42 43 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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Surrendered in Gun Amnesty

In the Solomon Islands, the number of firearms and/or rounds of ammunition voluntarily surrendered for destruction in recent arms amnesty and collection programmes is reported to be 5,80042 (2000) and 3,73044 (2002-04)

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Small Arms Destroyed

In the Solomon Islands, the total number of firearms destroyed following recent amnesty, collection and seizure programmes is reported to be 6,00042 43

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Pacific Islands Forum

As a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, the Solomon Islands 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 Forum45 46

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, the Solomon Islands voted to begin47 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 signed48 by the Solomon Islands

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, the Solomon Islands 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 Aspects49

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, the Solomon Islands has submitted one or more national reports50 51 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In the Solomon Islands, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated52 51

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In the Solomon Islands, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated52 51

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of the Solomon Islands submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is apparent51

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated51 by the Solomon Islands to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided51 to the Solomon Islands by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, the Solomon Islands 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, the Solomon Islands has been a Member State of the United Nations since 197853

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list54 the Solomon Islands as a Participating State
Last Updated on 18 March 2012

Short References

1.

Karp, Aaron.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms: Annexes online.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q511)Full Citation

2.

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

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

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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

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GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Somalia.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4272)Full Citation

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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

7.

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

8.

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

9.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Restrictions on the Manufacture of Firearms and Ammunition.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q549)Full Citation

10.

Small Arms Survey.2003.‘Pacific Islands – When Nothing Else is Available.’ Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q557)Full Citation

11.

Alpers, Philip, Robert Muggah and Conor Twyford.2004.‘Trouble in Paradise: Home-made firearms.’ Small Arms Survey 2004: Rights at Risk.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q558)Full Citation

12.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Licence to Export.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q555)Full Citation

13.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Licence to Import.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q554)Full Citation

14.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Declaration of Firearms and Ammunition on Importation.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q4956)Full Citation

15.

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

16.

Muggah, Robert and Philip Alpers.2003.‘Illegal Small Arms Transfers.’ Reconsidering Small Arms in the Solomon Islands: Findings.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,1 August. (Q878)Full Citation

17.

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

18.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Short Title.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967) [Act as of 1996].Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q4954)Full Citation

19.

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

20.

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

21.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Short Title.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967) [Act as of 1996].Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q4953)Full Citation

22.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Designation of Principal Licensing Officer and Other Licensing Officers.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q525)Full Citation

23.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Notice (Section 23 (1)).’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q507)Full Citation

24.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Certain Weapons Prohibited Without Authority of Minister.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q4957)Full Citation

25.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Pacific Small Arms Legislation: Domestic and regional issues.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q502)Full Citation

26.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Grant, etc., of Firearm Licences.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q528)Full Citation

27.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5359)Full Citation

28.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Genuine Reason: A Snapshot of Pacific Definitions.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q359)Full Citation

29.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Licences May Be Refused, Cancelled or Suspended.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q510)Full Citation

30.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Grant, etc., of Firearm Licences.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q588)Full Citation

31.

Alpers, Philip.2006.‘Comparative Gun Laws in the Pacific: Master Table.’ Unpublished dataset.Sydney:School of Public Health, The University of Sydney,3 March. (Q534)Full Citation

32.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Pacific Small Arms Legislation: Registration.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q322)Full Citation

33.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Dealer Licences.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q535)Full Citation

34.

Solomon Islands.2004.‘Stockpile Management and Security.’ National Report of the Solomon Islands 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 Solomon Islands to the United Nations,1 November. (Q4677)Full Citation

35.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Restrictions on Sale, Repair, etc., of Firearms and Ammunition.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q536)Full Citation

36.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Security of Firearms and Ammunition.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q530)Full Citation

37.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Dealer to Maintain Approved Firearms Store.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q531)Full Citation

38.

Solomon Islands.2004.‘Marking, Record Keeping and Tracing.’ National Report of the Solomon Islands 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 Solomon Islands to the United Nations,1 November. (Q4678)Full Citation

39.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Marking of Firearms.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q537)Full Citation

40.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Power to Refuse Firearm Licence or Permit Unless Firearm or Ammunition Produced.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q4955)Full Citation

41.

Solomon Islands.1996.‘Penalty for Purchasing, etc., Firearms or Ammunition Without Firearm Licence.’ Firearms and Ammunition Act (1967).Honiara:National Parliament,1 January. (Q533)Full Citation

42.

Nelson, Carol and Robert Muggah.2004.‘Solomon Islands: Evaluating the Weapons Free Village Campaign.’ Small Arms Survey Working Paper.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,1 November. (Q501)Full Citation

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Alpers, Philip, Robert Muggah and Conor Twyford.2004.‘Trouble in Paradise: The Solomon Islands.’ Small Arms Survey 2004: Rights at Risk.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q499)Full Citation

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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

45.

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

46.

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

47.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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