Bhutan — 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, Bhutan ranked at No. 1633 Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World RankingIn a 2007 comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, Bhutan ranked at No. 1152 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.ChartIn Bhutan, annual homicides by any means total 2018: 97 2017: 13 2016: 9 2015: 12 2014: 21 2013: 24 2012: 33 2011: 32 2010: 16 2009: 16 2008: 18 2007: 14 2006: 9 2005: 11 2004: 15 2003: 5 2002: 19 2001: 19 2000: 18 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 TraffickingFirearm ImportsSmall Arms Imports (US$) - CustomsThe annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Bhutan is reported by Customs to be US$35,45513 (2011) MeasuresGun RegulationFirearm LawGuiding gun control legislation in Bhutan includes the Fire Arms And Ammunition Act of 199016 Firearm Regulation AuthorityGuns in Bhutan are regulated by the Royal Bhutan Police17 Restricted Firearms and AmmunitionGun Ownership and PossessionIn Bhutan, only licensed gun owners21 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition Genuine Reason Required for Firearm PossessionApplicants for a gun owner’s licence in Bhutan are required to establish a genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example personal protection21 Minimum Age for Firearm PossessionThe minimum age for gun ownership in Bhutan is 21 years21 Gun Owner Background ChecksLicensing RecordsIn Bhutan, authorities maintain a record17 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition Carrying GunsLaw Regulates Firearms in PublicIn Bhutan, carrying a gun in a public place is regulated by law15 MeasuresInternational ControlsGeneva 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 signed24 by Bhutan. Arms Trade TreatyThe Arms Trade Treaty has not been signed25 by Bhutan United Nations Firearms ProtocolThe United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition has not been signed26 by Bhutan United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoAUNPoA CommitmentOn 21 July 2001, Bhutan 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 Aspects27 UNPoA National ReportingUNPoA National Point of ContactIn Bhutan, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated29 UNPoA National Coordinating BodyIn Bhutan, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated29 UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and SupportIn National Reports of Bhutan submitted to the UN from 2001 to 2010, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities was not apparent29 UNPoA International Assistance – DonorFunds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated29 by Bhutan to other UN Member States United Nations Small Arms RegisterAccording to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Bhutan has not declared30 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports. United Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, Bhutan has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194531 Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list32 Bhutan 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 16,33 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)ChartIn Bhutan, annual homicides by any means total 2018: 97 2017: 13 2016: 9 2015: 12 2014: 21 2013: 24 2012: 33 2011: 32 2010: 16 2009: 16 2008: 18 2007: 14 2006: 9 2005: 11 2004: 15 2003: 5 2002: 19 2001: 19 2000: 18 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)Conflict DeathsFor a profile of conflict in Bhutan, select the Link icon to open an external web page from the UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia at Uppsala University Global Peace IndexTo see where Bhutan ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on Bhutan on the map or in the "Select Country" menu on the right of the web page |
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