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Tonga — 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 Tonga is 8001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Tonga is 0.791 firearms per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Tonga is reported to be 8001

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Tonga are reported to have 8772 firearms

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Routine Arming of Police

In Tonga, police officers on routine patrol do not carry a firearm3

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Tonga are reported to have 1212 firearms

ImpactsGun Death and Injury

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Number of Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Tonga, annual homicides by any means total

1997: 24
1996: 2
1995: 2

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

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

2004: 0.635
2002: 0.70
1999: 1.05
1997: 2.044
1996: 2.05
1995: 2.06

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Number of Gun Homicides

In Tonga, annual firearm homicides total

1995: 14

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

In Tonga, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

1995: 1.034

ProductionGun Industry

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Firearm Manufacture

In Tonga, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is prohibited6

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Export Control

In Tonga, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 7 8 9

Import Control

In Tonga, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 10 8 11 9

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Small Arms Imports (US$)

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Tonga is reported to be US$16812 (2009)

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Tonga, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law13 14 15

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Tonga do not include13 14 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 Tonga is categorised as restrictive16

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Tonga is the Arms and Ammunition Act, 196817, and the Arms and Ammunition Regulations, 196918

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Tonga are regulated by the Minister of Police19 and the Privy Council20

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Tonga, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law13 14

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Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In Tonga, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms21

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Tonga, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited21

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Tonga, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is not prohibited in law, but prohibited in practice22 13 14

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Regulation of Handguns

In Tonga, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is not prohibited in law, but prohibited in practice22 13 14

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Tonga, only licensed gun owners23 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 Tonga are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, fishing, farming24 25

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Tonga is 21 years26

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Tonga must pass background checks which consider criminal and other various26 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Tonga, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required13 14

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Tonga does not stipulate13 14 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Tonga, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required13 14 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Tonga gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 1 year19

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Licensing Records

In Tonga, authorities maintain a record19 27 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Tonga are permitted to possess only the quantity and type of firearms specified on the licence28 24

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Tonga is permitted to possess only the quantity of ammunition specified on the licence28 24

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Tonga, the law requires19 27 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 Tonga, licensed firearm dealers are required29 27 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 Dealer Gun Sales

In Tonga, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful29 30

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Tonga, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined13 14

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In Tonga, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are regulated29 30 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Tonga include31 32 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 Tonga include33 29 34 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 Tonga do not include13 14 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 Tonga, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law35

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Firearm Tracing

In Tonga, state authorities do not carry out13 14 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Marking of Firearms and Ammunition

In Tonga, state authorities do not employ13 14 ballistic fingerprinting technology to trace guns and ammunition

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Tonga, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is prohibited36 32

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Tonga, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is prohibited36 32

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Tonga, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 5 to 10 years prison23

Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Tonga, it is not state policy37 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Pacific Islands Forum

As a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Tonga 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 Forum38 39

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Tonga voted to begin40 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 signed41 by Tonga

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Tonga 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 Aspects42

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Tonga has yet to submit a national report43 44 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Tonga, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated45 44

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Tonga, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated45 44

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Tonga submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent45 44

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated44 by Tonga to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided44 to Tonga by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Tonga has not declared46 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Tonga has been a Member State of the United Nations since 199947

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list48 Tonga as a Participating State
Last Updated on 18 March 2012

Short References

1.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Civilian Firearm Ownership in Pacific Nations, 2002.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q457)Full Citation

2.

Karp, Aaron.2003.‘Fewer Blanks: Global Firearm Stockpiles: Firearms of the Pacific.’ Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q459)Full Citation

3.

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

4.

UNODC.2001.‘Tonga: 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. (Q1348)Full Citation

5.

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

6.

Tonga.1968.‘Prohibition on the Manufacture of Arms and Ammunition.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q483)Full Citation

7.

Tonga.1968.‘Licence to Export.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q4965)Full Citation

8.

Tonga.1968.‘Penalty for Unlawful Importation or Exportation.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q484)Full Citation

9.

Tonga.1968.‘Arms and Ammunition in Transit.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q4967)Full Citation

10.

Tonga.1968.‘Licence to Import.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q487)Full Citation

11.

Tonga.1968.‘Declaration of Arms and Ammunition on Importation.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q4966)Full Citation

12.

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

13.

Tonga.1968.‘Short Title.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q4962)Full Citation

14.

Tonga.1969.‘Short Title.’ Chapter 39A. Arms and Ammunition Regulations, 1969 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Privy Council,28 February. (Q4971)Full Citation

15.

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

16.

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

17.

Tonga.1968.‘Short Title.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q4961)Full Citation

18.

Tonga.1969.‘Short Title.’ Chapter 39A. Arms and Ammunition Regulations, 1969 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Privy Council,28 February. (Q4970)Full Citation

19.

Tonga.1968.‘Licenses How Obtained.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q468)Full Citation

20.

Tonga.1968.‘Regulations.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q4969)Full Citation

21.

Tonga.1968.‘Certain Weapons Prohibited Without Authority of Prime Minister.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q470)Full Citation

22.

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. (Q142)Full Citation

23.

Tonga.1968.‘Possession of Arms and Ammunition Prohibited Except Under Licence.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q467)Full Citation

24.

Tonga.1968.‘Application for Licence to Possess, Use or Carry Arms and Ammunition (or for Renewal or Transfer Thereof).’ Chapter 39A. Arms and Ammunition Regulations, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Privy Council,28 February. (Q4976)Full Citation

25.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Genuine Reason: A Snapshot of Pacific Definitions – Tonga.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,31 March. (Q464)Full Citation

26.

Tonga.1968.‘Licence May be Refused.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q465)Full Citation

27.

Tonga.1968.‘Purchase or Acquisition.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q471)Full Citation

28.

Tonga.1969.‘Conditions of Licences.’ Chapter 39A. Arms and Ammunition Regulations, 1969 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Privy Council,28 February. (Q4972)Full Citation

29.

Tonga.1968.‘Dealers' Licences.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q472)Full Citation

30.

Tonga.1969.‘Dealers and Repairers.’ Chapter 39A. Arms and Ammunition Regulations, 1969 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Privy Council,28 February. (Q4974)Full Citation

31.

Tonga.1968.‘Security of Arms and Ammunition.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q477)Full Citation

32.

Tonga.1969.‘Rifles and Shotguns.’ Chapter 39A. Arms and Ammunition Regulations, 1969 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Privy Council,28 February. (Q4973)Full Citation

33.

Tonga.1968.‘Storage and Safe Custody of Arms and Ammunition.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q479)Full Citation

34.

Tonga.1968.‘Obstructing Inspection of Stock-in-trade.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q4964)Full Citation

35.

Tonga.1968.‘Marking of Arms.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q4963)Full Citation

36.

Tonga.1968.‘Carrying Arms in a Public Place.’ Chapter 39. Arms and Ammunition Act, 1968 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Legislative Assembly,29 November. (Q4968)Full Citation

37.

Tonga.1969.‘Disposal of Arms and Ammunition.’ Chapter 39A. Arms and Ammunition Regulations, 1969 [1988 Revised Edition].Nuku'alofa:Privy Council,28 February. (Q4975)Full Citation

38.

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

39.

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

40.

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

41.

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

42.

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

43.

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

44.

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

45.

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

46.

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

47.

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

48.

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