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St Lucia — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

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ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn St Lucia, annual homicides by any means total

2009: 391
2008: 39
2007: 25
2006: 39
2005: 34
2004: 36
2003: 36
2002: 42
2001: 34
2000: 23

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

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

2009: 22.671
2008: 22.94
2007: 14.79
2006: 23.35
2005: 20.61
2004: 21.95
2003: 22.22
2002: 26.25
2001: 21.38
2000: 14.65
1999: 9.002

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Number of Suicides (any method)

ChartIn St Lucia, annual suicides by any means total

2002: 123
2001: 74

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

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

2001: 4.704

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Number of Gun Suicides

In St Lucia, annual firearm suicides total

2000: 24

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

2000: 1.344

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In St Lucia, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 5 6

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from St Lucia is reported to be US$7407 (2004)

Import Control

In St Lucia, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 5 6 8

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to St Lucia is reported to be US$48,3487 (2009)

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In St Lucia, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law9

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in St Lucia do not include9 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 St Lucia is categorised as restrictive10

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in St Lucia is the Firearms Act No. 9 of 200311

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in St Lucia are regulated by the Commissioner of Police and the Minister of Security12

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Right to Possess Firearms

In St Lucia, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law9

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In St Lucia, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, modified and sawn-off rifles, imitation and homemade/craft firearms13 14 15

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In St Lucia, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited13

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In St Lucia, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted under licence13

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Regulation of Handguns

In St Lucia, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence14

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Gun Owner Licensing

In St Lucia, only licensed gun owners16 17 18 19 15 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 St Lucia are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, collection, target shooting, hunting20 21 17 19

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in St Lucia is 18 years, or 15 years for purposes of target shooting on a range operated by a shooting club22 18 23

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in St Lucia must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and other various18 23 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In St Lucia, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required9

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in St Lucia does not stipulate9 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In St Lucia, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required17 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In St Lucia gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every number of years specified on the individual license24

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in St Lucia are permitted to possess 1 firearm per valid possession permit17

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in St Lucia is permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition9

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In St Lucia, the law does not require9 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 St Lucia, licensed firearm dealers are required8 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 St Lucia, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibitted25

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In St Lucia, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful8 25

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Limit on Gun Dealer Sales

In St Lucia, the number and type of firearms which can be sold by a licensed gun dealer to a single gun owner is limited to 1 firearm per valid possession permit17

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In St Lucia, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined9

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In St Lucia, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated9 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in St Lucia include20 17 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 St Lucia do not include9 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Government

Government regulations in St Lucia do not include9 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in St Lucia do not include9 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In St Lucia, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is prohibited, without official authorization16 26

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In St Lucia, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is prohibited, without official authorization16 26

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In St Lucia, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 5 to 10 years prison and/or a fine15

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Organization of American States

On 14 November 1997, as a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS), St Lucia adopted the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Explosives, Ammunition and Other Related Materials (CIFTA), a legally binding multilateral treaty of which the OAS is depository. The CIFTA Convention has since been signed and ratified27 28 by St Lucia

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, St Lucia voted to begin29 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 signed30 by St Lucia

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, St Lucia 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 Aspects31

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, St Lucia has yet to submit a national report32 6 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In St Lucia, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated6

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated6 by St Lucia to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, St Lucia has not declared33 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, St Lucia has been a Member State of the United Nations since 197934

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list35 St Lucia as a Participating State
Last Updated on 18 March 2012

Short References

1.

OAS Observatory on Citizen Security.2011.‘Intentional Homicide.’ Report on Citizen Security in the Americas 2011.Washington, DC:Organisation of American States,1 January. (Q5678)Full Citation

2.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Latin America and the Caribbean, 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. (Q3817)Full Citation

3.

OAS Observatory on Citizen Security.2011.‘Suicide.’ Report on Citizen Security in the Americas 2011.Washington, DC:Organisation of American States,1 January. (Q5680)Full Citation

4.

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

5.

St Lucia.2003.‘Firearm Import or Export Licence.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3295)Full Citation

6.

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

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.

St Lucia.2003.‘Firearm Dealer Licence.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3293)Full Citation

9.

St Lucia.2003.‘Firearms Act.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q4159)Full Citation

10.

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

11.

St Lucia.2003.‘Firearms Act.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3280)Full Citation

12.

St Lucia.2003.‘Regulations.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3300)Full Citation

13.

St Lucia.2003.‘Prohibited Weapons and Ammunition.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3281)Full Citation

14.

St Lucia.2003.‘Interpretation.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3282)Full Citation

15.

St Lucia.2003.‘Prohibition Against Possession Without a Licence.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3296)Full Citation

16.

St Lucia.2003.‘Firearm User Licence.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3291)Full Citation

17.

St Lucia.2003.‘Application for and Grant of Licence.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3283)Full Citation

18.

St Lucia.2003.‘Revocation.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3289)Full Citation

19.

St Lucia.2003.‘Estate Gun Licence.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3290)Full Citation

20.

St Lucia.2003.‘Antique Firearm Collector Licence.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3292)Full Citation

21.

St Lucia.2003.‘Sporting Firearm Licence.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3294)Full Citation

22.

St Lucia.2003.‘Prohibition Against Acquisition etc. by Persons Under 18 years.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3299)Full Citation

23.

St Lucia.2003.‘Prohibitions in Relation to Licences.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3302)Full Citation

24.

St Lucia.2003.‘Duration of Licence.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3301)Full Citation

25.

St Lucia.2003.‘Restriction on Sale of Firearm or Ammunition.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3298)Full Citation

26.

St Lucia.2003.‘Prohibition Against Carrying a Firearm or Ammunition in Public Place.’ Saint Lucia Firearms Act No.9 of 2003.Castries:House of Assembly and the Senate of Saint Lucia,20 January. (Q3297)Full Citation

27.

OAS / UNODA.1997.‘Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Explosives, Ammunition and Other Related Materials / CIFTA.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York:Organization of American States / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 November. (Q3244)Full Citation

28.

OAS.1997.‘Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Explosives, Ammunition and Other Related Materials (CIFTA): Signatures and Ratifications.’ Organization of American States, Department of International Law.Washington DC:Organization of American States,14 November. (Q3262)Full Citation

29.

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

30.

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

31.

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

32.

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

33.

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

34.

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

35.

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