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Yemen — 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 Yemen is 8,000,0001 to 11,500,0002

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The rate of private gun ownership in Yemen is 54.82 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, Yemen ranked at No. 103

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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, Yemen ranked at No. 22

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Yemen are reported to have 283,1954 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Yemen are reported to have 210,0005 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Yemen, annual homicides by any means total

2009: 9906
2000: 6977
1999: 1,024
1998: 615

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

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

2009: 4.26
2008: 3.96 8
2007: 4.1
2006: 4.2
2005: 4.6
2004: 3.2
2003: 3.6
2000: 3.987
1999: 6.02
1998: 3.70

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Regulation of Firearm Exports

In Yemen, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 9

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Yemen is reported to be US$4,93910 (2011)

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Regulation of Firearm Imports

In Yemen, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 11 12 1 13

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Yemen is reported to be US$5,010 to 655,61610 (2011)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Yemen is moderate14 15

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

The asking price for an AK-47 pattern assault weapon in Yemen is reported to be US$32016

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Yemen is categorised as permissive17

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Yemen includes the Law Regulating Carrying Firearms, Ammunitions & their Trade 199218 13 and the Executive Regulation of Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions & their Trade19

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Yemen are regulated by the Prime Minister and his Ministers20

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Yemen, the right to private gun ownership is guaranteed by law21 22

Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

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Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In Yemen, private possession of fully automatic weapons is permitted under licence23 24 25

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Yemen, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted under licence23 24 25

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Regulation of Handguns

In Yemen, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted under licence23 24 25

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Gun Owner Licensing

In Yemen, unlicensed, non-prohibited persons of minimum age22 26 27 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 Yemen are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, employment requirements, personal protection26 21

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Yemen is 18 years28

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Yemen must pass background checks which consider criminal, mental and addiction28 29 30 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Yemen, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required23 24

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Yemen does not stipulate23 24 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Yemen, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required23 24 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Yemen gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 3 years31

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Licensing Records

In Yemen, authorities maintain a record25 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 Yemen are permitted to possess 1 firearm32

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in Yemen is permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition23 24

Firearm Registration

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Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In Yemen, licensed firearm dealers are required33 34 25 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 Yemen, the private sale and transfer of firearms is permitted35

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Yemen, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful36 37 38

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Yemen, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined23 24

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In Yemen, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated23 24 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Yemen do not include23 24 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 Yemen include39 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 Yemen do not include23 24 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 Yemen do not include23 24 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 Yemen, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit40

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Yemen, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit40

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Gun Free Zones

In Yemen, private guns are prohibited in secret balloting, referendums, demonstrations, parades, official celebrations, sports and youth festivals and within official departments41

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Yemen, the maximum penalty for illicit possession of firearms is 1 year prison and/or a fine42

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Collection, Amnesty and Destruction Programmes

Authorities in Yemen are known to have43 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation

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Small Arms Destroyed

In Yemen, the total number of firearms destroyed following recent amnesty, collection and seizure programmes is reported to be US$30 million worth of arms (since 2001)43 and 293,00044 (2007)

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Yemen, it is state policy43 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

League of Arab States

As a member of the League of Arab States, Yemen adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200245

United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, Yemen abstained from endorsing46 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 signed47 by Yemen

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Yemen 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 Aspects48

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Yemen has submitted one or more national reports49 9 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Yemen, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated9

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Yemen submitted to the UN, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities is apparent9

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UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated9 by Yemen to other UN Member States

United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Yemen has not declared3 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Yemen has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194750

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list51 Yemen as a Participating State

Short References

1.

Yemen.2010.‘Measures Taken by the Government.’ National Report of Yemen 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 Yemen to the United Nations,20 January. (Q2461)Full Citation

2.

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

3.

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

4.

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

5.

Karp, Aaron.2012.‘Table 1 - Estimated Law Enforcement Firearms in 20 Selected Countries.’ Armed Actors - Estimating Law Enforcement Firearms.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,1 December. (Q6544)Full Citation

6.

UNODC.2011.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Yemen.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,6 October. (Q6287)Full Citation

7.

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.

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

9.

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

10.

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

11.

Yemen.1992.‘Trade in Arms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2352)Full Citation

12.

Yemen.1994.‘Trade in Arms.’ Republican Decree No (1) of 1994 of the Executive Regulation of Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions & Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,29 January. (Q2363)Full Citation

13.

Yemen.2006.‘National Report – 2006.’ National Report of Yemen 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 Yemen to the United Nations,1 January. (Q2465)Full Citation

14.

Yemen.2010.‘Measures Taken by the Government.’ National Report of Yemen 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 Yemen to the United Nations,20 January. (Q2463)Full Citation

15.

Yemen.2006.‘National Report – 2006.’ National Report of Yemen 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 Yemen to the United Nations,1 January. (Q2464)Full Citation

16.

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

17.

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

18.

Yemen.1992.‘Names, Definitions and General Provisions.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2359)Full Citation

19.

Yemen.1994.‘Names and Definitions.’ Republican Decree No (1) of 1994 of the Executive Regulation of Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions & their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,29 January. (Q2360)Full Citation

20.

Yemen.1992.‘Final Provisions.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2358)Full Citation

21.

Yemen.1992.‘Holding, Carrying & Trading in Firearms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2344)Full Citation

22.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5387)Full Citation

23.

Yemen.1992.‘Names, Definitions and General Provisions.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q4169)Full Citation

24.

Yemen.1994.‘Names and Definitions.’ Republican Decree No (1) of 1994 of the Executive Regulation of Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions & their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,29 January. (Q4170)Full Citation

25.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5379)Full Citation

26.

Yemen.1994.‘Regulating Carrying Firearms.’ Republican Decree No (1) of 1994 of the Executive Regulation of Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions & Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,29 January. (Q2362)Full Citation

27.

Yemen.1994.‘Regulating Carrying Firearms.’ Republican Decree No (1) of 1994 of the Executive Regulation of Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions & Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,29 January. (Q2361)Full Citation

28.

Yemen.1992.‘Holding, Carrying & Trading in Firearms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2350)Full Citation

29.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5383)Full Citation

30.

Parker, Sarah.2011.‘Balancing Act: Regulation of Civilian Firearm Possession.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,6 July. (Q5384)Full Citation

31.

Yemen.1992.‘Holding, Carrying & Trading in Firearms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2349)Full Citation

32.

Yemen.1992.‘Holding, Carrying & Trading in Firearms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2347)Full Citation

33.

Yemen.1992.‘Trade in Arms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2354)Full Citation

34.

Yemen.1992.‘Trade in Arms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2355)Full Citation

35.

Yemen.1992.‘Trade in Arms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2353)Full Citation

36.

Yemen.1992.‘Holding, Carrying & Trading in Firearms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2365)Full Citation

37.

Yemen.1994.‘Trade in Arms.’ Republican Decree No (1) of 1994 of the Executive Regulation of Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions & Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,29 January. (Q2364)Full Citation

38.

Yemen.1992.‘Holding, Carrying & Trading in Firearms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2346)Full Citation

39.

Yemen.1992.‘Trade in Arms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2356)Full Citation

40.

Yemen.1992.‘Holding, Carrying & Trading in Firearms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2345)Full Citation

41.

Yemen.1992.‘Holding, Carrying & Trading in Firearms.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2351)Full Citation

42.

Yemen.1992.‘Penalties.’ Law No (40) of 1992 on Regulating Carrying Firearms & Ammunitions and Their Trade.Sana'a:Ministry of Interior, General Department of Legal Affairs. Translation commissioned by the Yemen Armed Violence Assessment / YAVA,30 May. (Q2357)Full Citation

43.

Yemen.2010.‘Measures Taken by the Government.’ National Report of Yemen 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 Yemen to the United Nations,20 January. (Q2462)Full Citation

44.

United Press International. 2009. ‘Gun Ban in Yemen Ineffective.’ 5 August. (N204) Full Citation

45.

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

46.

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

47.

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

48.

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

49.

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

50.

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

51.

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