Algeria — Gun Facts, Figures and the LawStockpilesGun NumbersCivilian GunsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Number of Privately Owned FirearmsRate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 PopulationNumber of Privately Owned Firearms - World RankingIn a 2007 comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Algeria ranked at No. 373 Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World RankingIn a 2007 comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, Algeria ranked at No. 782 Number of Registered FirearmsGovernment GunsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ImpactsDeath and InjuryHomicides (any method)Blue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Male Homicide Victims (any method)Rate of Male Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Female Homicide Victims (any method)Gun HomicidesBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Suicides (any method)Blue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Rate of Suicide per 100,000 People (any method)Male Suicide Victims (any method)Rate of Male Suicide per 100,000 People (any method)Female Suicide Victims (any method)TransfersGun Trade and TraffickingSmuggling Guns and AmmunitionReports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Algeria is moderate20 End User CertificatesCustoms regulations in Algeria include16 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use MeasuresGun RegulationFirearm Regulation - Guiding PolicyLaw Regulates Civilian Access to FirearmsIn Algeria, civilian possession of guns is regulated by law13 Firearm LawGuiding gun control legislation in Algeria includes the Executive Decree No 98-96 of March 18, 1998, amended and completed by the Executive Decree No 04-304 of September 13, 2004, on the implementation of the Ordinance No 97-06 of January 21, 1997, relating to weapons of war, firearms and ammunition22 Gun Ownership and PossessionGun Owner Background ChecksAn applicant for a firearm licence in Algeria must pass a background check which considers undefined13 records Firearm RegistrationCivilian Gun RegistrationIn Algeria, the law requires25 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register Gun Dealer Record KeepingIn Algeria, licensed firearm dealers are required25 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority Gun Manufacturer Record KeepingState-Owned Firearm RecordsIn Algeria, State agencies are required25 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control Storage and Transport of Guns and AmmunitionFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - PrivateFirearm regulations in Algeria include26 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - DealerFirearm regulations in Algeria include26 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - GovernmentGovernment regulations in Algeria include27 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities Carrying GunsLaw Regulates Firearms in PublicIn Algeria, carrying a gun in a public place is regulated by law13 MeasuresInternational ControlsRegional AgreementsLeague of Arab StatesAs a member of the League of Arab States, Algeria adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200229 African UnionGeneva Declaration on Armed Violence and DevelopmentThe Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, a diplomatic initiative aimed at addressing the interrelations between armed violence and development, was not signed32 by Algeria. Arms Trade TreatyThe Arms Trade Treaty has not been signed33 by Algeria United Nations Firearms ProtocolThe United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition has been signed and ratified34 by Algeria United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoAUNPoA CommitmentOn 21 July 2001, Algeria 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 Aspects35 UNPoA Implementation Monitor ScoreUNPoA National ReportingUNPoA National Point of ContactUNPoA National Coordinating BodyIn Algeria, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated19 UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and SupportIn National Reports of Algeria submitted to the UN from 2001 to 2010, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities was apparent19 UNPoA International Assistance – DonorFunds for UNPoA implementation have been donated19 by Algeria to other UN Member States United Nations Small Arms RegisterAccording to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Algeria has not declared42 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports. United Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, Algeria has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196243 Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list44 Algeria as a Participating State BackgroundSustainable Development Goal ProfileAbout SDG 16The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 goals set by the United Nations to be implemented by all member states by 2030. Adopted in 2015, they outline a vision of development in which peace and security are an integral part.
SDG 16,45 which seeks to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development,” includes targets and indicators focused on reducing violence (Target 16.1) and the proliferation of illicit arms (Target 16.4). The indicators – or measurement criteria – of these targets include the number of victims of intentional homicide (Indicator 16.1.1), the number of conflict-related deaths (Indicator 16.1.2), and the number of illicit firearms collected and traced (Indicator 16.4.2).
In light of these targets and indicators, GunPolicy.org provides granular national data pertaining to homicides, gun homicides, conflict deaths, disarmament efforts, and marking and tracing. Homicides (any method)Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Male Homicide Victims (any method)Rate of Male Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Female Homicide Victims (any method)Gun HomicidesConflict DeathsFor a profile of conflict in Algeria, select the Link icon to open an external web page from the UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia at Uppsala University DisarmamentAuthorities in Algeria are known to have46 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation Firearms Surrendered and SeizedDestruction and Disposal PolicyIn Algeria, it is state policy27 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market Marking and TracingFirearm TracingBallistic Record of Firearms and AmmunitionIn Algeria, the ballistic characteristics of each civilian firearm and its ammunition are49 recorded in a register Global Peace IndexTo see where Algeria ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on Algeria on the map or in the "Select Country" menu on the right of the web page |
Short References
- 1.
-
2018.‘Civilian Firearms Holdings, 2017.’ Estimating Global Civilian-Held Firearms Numbers.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,18 June. (Q13434)Full Citation
- 2.
-
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.
-
2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q4)Full Citation
- 4.
-
GunPolicy.org. 2019. ‘Estimated Number of Illicit Firearms.’ Definition and Selection Criteria.
Sydney School of Public Health, 24 January. (G14) Full Citation - 5.
-
2018.‘Military Firearms Holdings, 2017.’ Estimating Global Military-Owned Firearms Numbers.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,18 June. (Q13436)Full Citation
- 6.
-
2018.‘Law Enforcement Firearms Holdings, 2017.’ Estimating Global Law Enforcement Firearms Numbers.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,18 June. (Q13435)Full Citation
- 7.
-
2018.‘Violent Death Estimates by Country.’ Disease Burden and Mortality Estimates: Cause-Specific Mortality, 2000–2016.Geneva:World Health Organization,1 January. (Q14136)Full Citation
- 8.
-
2020.‘Intentional Homicide Victims.’ Crime and Drugs Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,1 January. (Q13355)Full Citation
- 9.
-
2014.‘Homicides and Gun Homicides in Algeria.’ Global Study on Homicide 2013: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),10 April. (Q9962)Full Citation
- 10.
-
2013.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Algeria.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,26 June. (Q6228)Full Citation
- 11.
-
2006.‘Reported Overall Homicide Numbers and Rates per 100,000 Population for 64 Countries, 2003-04.’ Ninth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2003 - 2004).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q9)Full Citation
- 12.
-
2015.‘Calculated Rates - Algeria.’ Historical Population Data - USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,1 June. (Q10095)Full Citation
- 13.
-
2014.‘Country Profile: Algeria.’ Global Status Report on Violence Prevention 2014.Geneva:World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),10 December. (Q9633)Full Citation
- 14.
-
2016.‘Manufacture (Fabrication).’ National Report of Algeria 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 NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q12401)Full Citation
- 15.
-
2014.‘Implementation of Laws and Penalties (Application des lois et criminalisation).’ National Report of Algeria 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 NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q12407)Full Citation
- 16.
-
2016.‘International Transfers (Transferts Internationaux).’ National Report of Algeria 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 NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q12402)Full Citation
- 17.
-
2010.‘Tracing (Traçage).’ National Report of Algeria 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, NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4592)Full Citation
- 18.
-
2014.‘Database of Authorised Transfers of Small Arms and Light Weapons.’ NISAT Small Arms Trade Database.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,22 December. (Q16)Full Citation
- 19.
-
2018.‘PoA-ISS Country Profiles.’ UN small arms Programme of Action (UNPoA) - Implementation Support System.New York, NY:United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs,23 July. (Q1309)Full Citation
- 20.
-
2019.‘The Nature of Illicit Arms Trafficking in West Africa and the Sahel.’ The West Africa–Sahel Connection: Mapping Cross-Border Arms Trafficking.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 December. (Q14062)Full Citation
- 21.
-
2016.‘Brokering (Courtage).’ National Report of Algeria 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 NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q12403)Full Citation
- 22.
-
2010.‘Marking (Marquage).’ National Report of Algeria 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, NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4590)Full Citation
- 23.
-
2014.‘Gun Rights in National Constitutions.’ Marco Rubio Says Second Amendment Is Unique in Speech to NRA.Miami, FL:Miami Herald (PolitiFact Florida),29 April. (Q8507)Full Citation
- 24.
-
2013. ‘U.S. Gun Rights Truly Are American Exceptionalism.’ Bloomberg (USA). 7 March. (N422) Full Citation
- 25.
-
2010.‘Registration (Enregistrement).’ National Report of Algeria 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, NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4591)Full Citation
- 26.
-
2014.‘Storage - Penalty (Stockage - Peines).’ National Report of Algeria 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 NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q12415)Full Citation
- 27.
-
2016.‘Stockpile Management (Gestion des stocks).’ National Report of Algeria 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 NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q12404)Full Citation
- 28.
-
GunPolicy.org. 2015. ‘Penalty for Unlawful Firearm Possession.’ Definition and Selection Criteria.
Sydney School of Public Health, 22 January. (G93) Full Citation - 29.
-
2002.‘Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York, NY:Council of the League of Arab States / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,1 January. (Q3215)Full Citation
- 30.
-
2005.‘Windhoek Common Position.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York, NY:African Union / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 December. (Q3216)Full Citation
- 31.
-
2015.‘Member States.’ African Union: A United and Strong Africa.Addis Ababa:African Union,10 August. (Q10548)Full Citation
- 32.
-
2006.‘Geneva Declaration.’ Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development.Geneva:Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development Secretariat,7 June. (Q7162)Full Citation
- 33.
-
2013.‘Towards Entry Into Force.’ Arms Trade Treaty.New York, NY:United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,2 April. (Q7226)Full Citation
- 34.
-
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, NY:UN General Assembly,31 May. (Q17)Full Citation
- 35.
-
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, NY:UN General Assembly,20 July. (Q18)Full Citation
- 36.
-
2012.‘Findings - Table 3: Reporting States by Rank and Score.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8752)Full Citation
- 37.
-
2012.‘What do the PoAIM Scores Represent? How Should the PoAIM Scores Be Interpreted?.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8753)Full Citation
- 38.
-
2012.‘Point Allocation System.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8754)Full Citation
- 39.
-
2012.‘Introduction.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8755)Full Citation
- 40.
-
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
- 41.
-
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, NY:International Action Network on Small Arms and the Biting the Bullet project,26 June. (Q166)Full Citation
- 42.
-
2011.‘National Reports on Small Arms Exports.’ United Nations Register of Conventional Arms - The Global Reported Arms Trade.New York, NY:United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,21 October. (Q14)Full Citation
- 43.
-
2013.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York, NY:United Nations General Assembly,7 April. (Q290)Full Citation
- 44.
-
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
- 45.
-
2017.‘Relevant Targets & Indicators.’ Sustainable Development Goal 16.New York NY:United Nations Statistics Division,6 July. (Q14093)Full Citation
- 46.
-
2014.‘Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (Désarmement, Démobilisation et Réinsertion).’ National Report of Algeria 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 NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q12417)Full Citation
- 47.
-
2020.‘Arms Seized, Found, and Surrendered, by Type.’ Illicit Arms Flows Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,7 January. (Q14056)Full Citation
- 48.
-
2010.‘Integrated Ballistics Identification System (Système Intégré d'Identification Balistique).’ National Report of Algeria 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, NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4593)Full Citation
- 49.
-
2014.‘Integrated Ballistics Identification System (Système Intégré d'Identification Balistique).’ National Report of Algeria 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 NY:Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations,1 January. (Q12416)Full Citation