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Thailand — 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 Thailand is 10,000,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Thailand is 15.62 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, Thailand ranked at No. 111

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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, Thailand ranked at No. 392

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Thailand is reported to be 3,870,0001

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Thailand is 6.023

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Thailand are reported to have 1,957,5004 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Thailand are reported to have 175,0005 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Thailand, annual homicides by any means total

2006: 5,0236
2005: 5,141
2000: 5,1407
1999: 5,052
1998: 5,717
1997: 4,7858
1996: 4,474
1995: 4,542

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

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

2008: 5.909
2007: 6.60
2006: 7.926
2005: 8.16
2000: 8.477
1999: 8.39
1998: 9.56
1997: 7.908
1996: 7.46
1995: 7.65

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Number of Gun Homicides

ChartIn Thailand, annual firearm homicides total

2000: 20,0327
1999: 21,635
1998: 23,631

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Thailand, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2000: 33.007
1999: 35.94
1998: 39.52

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Number of Suicides (any method)

In Thailand, annual suicides by any means total

1994: 2,33310

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

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

1994: 3.7110

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Number of Gun Suicides

In Thailand, annual firearm suicides total

1994: 15810

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

1994: 0.2510

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Number of Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Thailand, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

1994: 8410

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

In Thailand, the annual rate of unintentional shooting death per 100,000 population is

1994: 0.1310

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Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

In Thailand, annual shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

1994: 810

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Rate of Gun Death from Undetermined Cause per 100,000 People

In Thailand, the annual rate of unknown-cause shooting deaths per 100,000 population is

1994: 0.0110

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Thailand, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence11

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Small Arms Manufacture - World Ranking

In a classification of the world's small, medium and major firearm manufacturers, Thailand is ranked 'small'12

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Home-made Guns

In Thailand the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be moderate13

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Thailand, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 14

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Small Arms Exports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Thailand is reported to be US$486,06015 (2009)

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Small Arms Exports - World Ranking

In a comparison of the world's major/mid-level/minor/unknown small arms exporters, Thailand is categorized as 'minor'16

Import Control

In Thailand, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 14

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Thailand is reported to be US$73,845,00215 (2009)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Thailand is high17

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Thailand is reported to be US$72018

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Thailand, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law14 19

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Transparency of Small Arms Transfers

In the most recent survey of state transparency when declaring firearm and ammunition exports, Thailand was ranked number 29 among 49 major small arms exporting nations in 2011, with a score of 9.75 points of a possible total of 2520

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Thailand is categorised as restrictive21

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Thailand is the Act Controlling Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks and Imitation of Firearms 1947 and the Act Controlling Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks and Imitation of Firearms 196722

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Thailand, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic and semi-automatic rifles23

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Thailand, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited23

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Regulation of Handguns

In Thailand, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence24 25

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Thailand, only licensed gun owners26 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 Thailand are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, sports shooting, collection, self-defence26

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Thailand is 20 years26

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Thailand must pass background checks which consider personal conduct, living condition, income and criminal27 28 records

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Thailand stipulates29 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Licensing Records

In Thailand, authorities maintain a record30 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Thailand, the law requires31 30 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Thailand, State agencies are required32 30 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Government

Government regulations in Thailand include33 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm Marking

In Thailand, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law34 35 30

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Firearm Tracing

In Thailand, state authorities carry out30 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Thailand, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 1 to 10 years prison36

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

At the resumption of the most recent session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (UNCCPCJ), a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council mandated to promote action to prevent national and transnational crime, Thailand was listed as an elected member for a three-year term of office37

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Thailand voted to begin38 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 signed39 by Thailand

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Thailand 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 Aspects40

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Thailand has submitted one or more national reports41 19 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Thailand, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated42 19

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Thailand, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated19

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Thailand submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is apparent19

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been donated19 by Thailand to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided19 to Thailand by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Thailand has declared{q4 has 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, Thailand has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194643

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list44 Thailand as a Participating State
Last Updated on 18 March 2012

Short References

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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. (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.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Thailand.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4288)Full Citation

4.

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

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

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UNODC.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

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UNODC.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

8.

UNODC.2001.‘Thailand: Total Recorded Intentional Homicides (Completed) and Total Recorded Intentional Homicides Committed With a Firearm.’ Sixth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems, covering the period 1995-1997.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,27 June. (Q1234)Full Citation

9.

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

10.

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

11.

Capie, David.2002.‘ASEAN country studies: Thailand.’ Small Arms Production and Transfers in South East Asia.Canberra:Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University,1 January. (Q1257)Full Citation

12.

Small Arms Survey.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

13.

Small Arms Survey.2001.‘Illicit Production – South East Asia.’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q1062)Full Citation

14.

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

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.

Small Arms Survey.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

17.

Small Arms Survey.2002.‘Black Market Transfers.’ Small Arms Survey 2002: Counting the Human Cost.Oxford:Oxford University Press,14 July. (Q1264)Full Citation

18.

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

19.

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

20.

Lazarevic, Jasna.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

21.

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

22.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Thailand Penal Code.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q1505)Full Citation

23.

Cukier, Wendy.2005.‘Military Assault Weapon Prohibitions by Country – Thailand.’ The Feasibility of Increased Restrictions on the Civilian Possession of Military Assault Weapons at the Global Level.Waterloo, ON:Project Ploughshares: Small Arms Working Group of the Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee,1 April. (Q1243)Full Citation

24.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Categories of Arms Licensed for Private Possession.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q1244)Full Citation

25.

Tanakornsombut, Tassanee, Chutimas Suksai, Chayanit Poonyarat and Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan.2005.‘Firearm Violence: The role of legally registered firearms.’ Missing the Target: Firearm Policy and Practice in Thai Society.Bangkok:Reduction of Armed Violence Project, Nonviolence International,1 January. (Q1245)Full Citation

26.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Private Possession, Carrying, and Use.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q1238)Full Citation

27.

Thailand.2001.‘Qualifications Investigation.’ Firearms Registration (web page).Bangkok:Ministry of the Interior,19 November. (Q1241)Full Citation

28.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Private Possession, Carrying, and Use.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q1242)Full Citation

29.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Licensing Criteria.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q1932)Full Citation

30.

Thailand.2008.‘A Report on the Implementation of the International Tracing Instrument.’ National Report of Thailand 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 Thailand to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4688)Full Citation

31.

Thailand.2008.‘Registration and Security Systems.’ Licensing for Arms Stores.New York:Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations,1 July. (Q1248)Full Citation

32.

Thailand.2008.‘Stockpile Management.’ National Report of Thailand 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 the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations,1 July. (Q1268)Full Citation

33.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Storage and Packing.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q1259)Full Citation

34.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Identification and Marking.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q1247)Full Citation

35.

Thailand.2008.‘Marking System.’ National Report of Thailand 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 the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations,1 July. (Q1253)Full Citation

36.

Kramer, Katherine.2001.‘Penalty Comparison.’ Legal Controls on Small Arms and Light Weapons in South East Asia.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and Nonviolence International South East Asia,1 July. (Q83)Full Citation

37.

UNCCPCJ / UNODC.1991.‘Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.’ United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.Vienna:United Nations Economic and Social Council / United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,1 January. (Q3222)Full Citation

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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

39.

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

40.

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

41.

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

42.

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

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

44.

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