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Somalia — 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 Somalia is 550,0001 to 750,0002

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Somalia is 9.13 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, Somalia ranked at No. 582

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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, Somalia ranked at No. 663

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Somalia is reported to be 14,0001

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Somalia is 0.154

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Somalia are reported to have 106,7505 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Somalia are reported to have 14,6726 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

Number of Homicides (any method)

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

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

2004: 3.307
2002: 33.10

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Number of Non-fatal Gun Injuries

In Somalia, the reported, or estimated annual number of non-fatal firearm injuries is

2005: 3308

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Somalia, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence9

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Somalia, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 10

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Somalia is reported to be US$23111 (2003)

Import Control

In Somalia, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 10

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Somalia is reported to be US$1,75811, in a single export recorded by the United Kingdom. Somalia declares no imports.

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Somalia is moderate12 13 14

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Somalia is reported to be US$16015

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Somalia is the 1963 Public Order Law16 10

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Somalia, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic rifles16

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Somalia, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited16

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Regulation of Handguns

In Somalia, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under a licence16

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Somalia, only licensed gun owners10 16 9 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Somalia, the law does not require17 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Somalia, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful9

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Somalia, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is not required by law17

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

League of Arab States

As a member of the League of Arab States, Somalia adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200218

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Somalia 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 200619

Regional Centre on Small Arms

In March 2000, as a member of the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA), Somalia adopted the Nairobi Declaration on the Problem of Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa, then on 21 April 2004 adopted the Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa and Bordering States, a legally-binding multilateral protocol of which the RECSA is depository. The Nairobi Protocol has since been signed, but not yet ratified20 21 by Somalia

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Somalia voted to begin22 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 signed23 by Somalia

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Somalia 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 Aspects24

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Somalia has yet to submit a national report25 26 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Somalia, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated26

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Somalia, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated26

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Somalia submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent26

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated26 by Somalia to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided26 to Somalia by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Somalia has not declared2 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Somalia has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196027

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list28 Somalia as a Participating State
Last Updated on 18 March 2012

Short References

1.

Lynge, Karina.2009.‘High Presence of and Easy Access to Small Arms.’ Community Safety and Small Arms in Somaliland: Analysis and Recommendations.Somaliland:Danish Demining Group,1 September. (Q2099)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. (Q4)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. (Q5)Full Citation

4.

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

5.

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

6.

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

7.

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

8.

Medecins Sans Frontieres.2005.‘Violence Continues Unabated in Somalia.’ Medecins Sans Frontieres.Mogadishu:ReliefWeb,22 August. (Q5287)Full Citation

9.

Hashi Jama, Ibrahim.2011.‘Control and Licensing of Arms and Dangerous Substances.’ Public Order Law in Somaliland: Learning the Lessons of Democracy.Hargeisa:Somalilandlaw.com,30 June. (Q5286)Full Citation

10.

Hughes, Ed and Karina Lynge.2010.‘Trading, Manufacture and Conversion of Weapons.’ Community Safety and Small Arms in Somaliland.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and the Danish Demining Group,9 March. (Q5277)Full Citation

11.

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

12.

Hughes, Ed and Karina Lynge.2010.‘Import and Export of Weapons – A Transhipment Destination.’ Community Safety and Small Arms in Somaliland.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and the Danish Demining Group,9 March. (Q5283)Full Citation

13.

Farah, Ibrahim, Aisha Ahmad and Daud Omar.2006.‘Source of Small Arms and Light Weapons: Into Somalia.’ Controlling Small Arms in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region: Supporting Implementation of the Nairobi Declaration.Waterloo ON:Africa Peace Forum / Project Ploughshares,1 January. (Q5288)Full Citation

14.

Amnesty International.2010.‘Background.’ Somalia: International Military and Policing Assistance Should Be Reviewed.London:Amnesty International,1 January. (Q5285)Full Citation

15.

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

16.

Hughes, Ed and Karina Lynge.2010.‘SALW Ownership – Private Ownership and Registration.’ Community Safety and Small Arms in Somaliland.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and the Danish Demining Group,9 March. (Q5272)Full Citation

17.

Victor Karega. 2010. ‘Centre to Procure Software.’ Citizen (Dar es Salaam). 3 July. (N221) Full Citation

18.

League of Arab States / UNODA.2002.‘Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Council of the League of Arab States / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,1 January. (Q3215)Full Citation

19.

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

20.

RECSA / UNODA.2004.‘Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region, the Horn of Africa and Bordering States.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Regional Centre on Small Arms / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,21 April. (Q3218)Full Citation

21.

RECSA.2010.‘Ratified and Deposited Instruments of the Nairobi Protocol.’ Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons Website – Ratifications.Nairobi:Regional Centre on Small Arms,19 November. (Q3263)Full Citation

22.

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

23.

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

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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