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Tunisia — 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 Tunisia is 9,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Tunisia is 0.11 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, Tunisia ranked at No. 1732

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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 178 countries, Tunisia ranked at No. 1782

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Number of Licensed Firearm Owners

The number of licensed gun owners in Tunisia is reported to be 3,4083

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Rate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 Population

The rate of licensed firearm owners in Tunisia is 0.044 per 100 people

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Tunisia is reported to be 3,4082 3

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Rate of Registered Firearms per 100 Population

The rate of registered firearms per 100 people in Tunisia is 0.034

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Number of Privately Owned Rifles

In Tunisia, the number of rifles in civilian possession is reported to be 2,6003

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Number of Privately Owned Shotguns

In Tunisia, the number of shotguns in civilian possession is reported to be 2993

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Number of Privately Owned Handguns

There are reportedly 5093 handguns in civilian possession in Tunisia

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Tunisia are reported to have 76,5705 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Tunisia are reported to have 182,0006 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Tunisia, annual homicides by any means total

2008: 1177
2002: 1198
2001: 122
2000: 1139
1999: 101
1998: 81

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

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

2008: 1.17
2004: 1.6010
2002: 1.5610 7
2001: 1.26
2000: 1.18
1999: 1.07
1998: 0.87
1996: 0.8810

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Gun Suicides

In Tunisia, annual firearm suicides total

1996: 211

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

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

1996: 0.0211

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Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Tunisia, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

1996: 011

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

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

1996: 0.0011

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Tunisia, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence, but is not conducted in practice12

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Regulation of Firearm Exports

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Tunisia is reported to be US$1,51813 (2011)

Regulation of Firearm Imports

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Tunisia is reported to be US$1,025,21113 (2011)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Tunisia is negligible3

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Tunisia, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law12

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Tunisia is categorised as restrictive14

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Tunisia are regulated by the Ministry of the Interior3

Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

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Regulation of Handguns

In Tunisia, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence3

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Tunisia, only licensed gun owners3 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 Tunisia are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target shooting, collection, personal protection, security3

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Tunisia is 20 years3

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Tunisia must pass background checks which consider criminal and mental3 records

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Tunisia does not stipulate3 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Tunisia, the law requires15 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 Tunisia, State agencies are required15 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 - Private

Firearm regulations in Tunisia do not include3 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Tunisia do not include3 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 Tunisia, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law12

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Firearm Tracing

In Tunisia, state authorities carry out12 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Tunisia, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit3

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

League of Arab States

As a member of the League of Arab States, Tunisia adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200216

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Tunisia 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 200617

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Tunisia voted to begin18 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 been signed and ratified19 by Tunisia

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Tunisia 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 Aspects20

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Tunisia has submitted one or more national reports21 22 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Tunisia, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated22

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Tunisia, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated22

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Tunisia submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is not apparent22

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated22 by Tunisia to other UN Member States

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UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided22 to Tunisia by other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Tunisia has 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, Tunisia has been a Member State of the United Nations since 195623

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list24 Tunisia as a Participating State

Short References

1.

Karp, Aaron.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms - Annexe online.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q5)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.

United Nations.1999.‘Analysis of Country Responses.’ United Nations International Study on Firearm Regulation.Vienna:UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division,30 August. (Q1)Full Citation

4.

GunPolicy.org.2011.‘Calculated Rates – Tunisia.’ Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,17 March. (Q4290)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.

UNODC.2011.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Tunisia.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6395)Full Citation

8.

UNODC.2005.‘Recorded Homicide and Firearm Homicide in 53 Countries, Completed or Attempted.’ Eighth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2001-2002).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,15 April. (Q1077)Full Citation

9.

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

10.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Middle East and North 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. (Q3813)Full Citation

11.

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

12.

Tunisia.2010.‘Manufacture (Production).’ National Report of Tunisia 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 Tunisia to the United Nations,28 April. (Q4784)Full Citation

13.

Marsh, Nicholas.2013.‘Database of Authorised Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons.’ NISAT Small Arms Trade Database.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,14 February. (Q16)Full Citation

14.

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

15.

Tunisia.2010.‘Registration (Enregistrement).’ National Report of Tunisia 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 Tunisia to the United Nations,28 April. (Q4783)Full Citation

16.

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

17.

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

18.

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

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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

22.

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

23.

UN.2013.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York:United Nations General Assembly,7 April. (Q290)Full Citation

24.

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