Top of Page
Cayman Islands — 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 FirearmsThe estimated total number of guns (both licit and illicit) held by civilians in the Cayman Islands is 2017: 6,0001 Number of Licensed Firearm OwnersRate of Licensed Firearm Owners per 100 PopulationNumber of Registered FirearmsRate of Registered Firearms per 100 PopulationGovernment 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 Law Enforcement FirearmsPolice in the Cayman Islands are reported to have 4006 firearms ImpactsDeath and InjuryTotal Number of Gun DeathsBlue-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.Homicides (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 the Cayman Islands, annual homicides by any means total 2014: 510 2013: 5 2010: 9 2009: 811 2008: 411 12 2007: 2 2006: 1 2004: 6 2003: 3 2002: 0 2001: 2 2000: 4 1998: 112 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)Gun SuicidesBlue-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 Gun Suicide per 100,000 PeopleMale Gun Suicide VictimsRate of Male Gun Suicide per 100,000 PeopleFemale Gun Suicide VictimsUnintentional Gun DeathsBlue-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.Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseBlue-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 the Cayman Islands, annual shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total 2013: 07 2010: 0 2000: 09 Rate of Gun Death from Undetermined Cause per 100,000 PeopleMale Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseRate of Male Gun Death from Undetermined Cause per 100,000 PeopleFemale Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseTransfersGun Trade and TraffickingRegulation of Arms BrokersIn the Cayman Islands, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law21 End User CertificatesCustoms regulations in the Cayman Islands do not include21 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 PolicyThe regulation of guns in the Cayman Islands is categorised as permissive22 Firearm LawGuiding gun control legislation in the Cayman Islands includes the Firearms Law 17 of 196423 Restricted Firearms and AmmunitionIn the Cayman Islands, civilians are not allowed to possess machine guns, sub-machine guns, automatic firearms, sawn-off shotguns, and converted imitation firearms16 28 29 Regulation of Automatic WeaponsIn the Cayman Islands, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited29 Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault WeaponsIn the Cayman Islands, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is prohibited29 Gun Ownership and PossessionIn the Cayman Islands, only licensed gun owners30 17 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition Genuine Reason Required for Firearm PossessionApplicants for a gun owner’s licence in the Cayman Islands are not required to establish a genuine reason to possess a firearm21 Gun Owner Background ChecksReference Required for Firearm LicenceIn the Cayman Islands, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are required25 Domestic Violence and FirearmsWhere a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in the Cayman Islands does not stipulate21 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked Firearm Safety TrainingIn the Cayman Islands, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required21 for a firearm licence Gun Owner Licensing PeriodIn the Cayman Islands, gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every three years31 Limit on Number of GunsLicensed firearm owners in the Cayman Islands are permitted to possess any number of firearms21 Limit on Quantity, Type of AmmunitionLicensed firearm owners in the Cayman Islands are permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition21 Firearm RegistrationCivilian Gun RegistrationIn the Cayman Islands, the law does not require21 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register Gun Dealer Record KeepingIn the Cayman Islands, licensed firearm dealers are required32 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority Gun Sales and TransfersRegulation of Private Gun SalesIn the Cayman Islands, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited without a Firearm Disposal Permit33 Regulation of Dealer Gun SalesWaiting Period for Gun PossessionIn the Cayman Islands, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined21 Regulation of Gun ShowsIn the Cayman Islands, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated21 in law Storage and Transport of Guns and AmmunitionFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - PrivateFirearm regulations in the Cayman Islands do not include21 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - DealerFirearm regulations in the Cayman Islands do not include21 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - GovernmentGovernment regulations in the Cayman Islands do not include21 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities Firearm and Ammunition Transport RegulationsRegulations in the Cayman Islands do not include21 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit Gun Free ZonesIn the Cayman Islands, private guns are prohibited in any public place specified by the Governor and published in the Gazette36 MeasuresInternational ControlsUnited Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, the Cayman Islands are not a Member State of the United Nations38 Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list39 the Cayman Islands 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 16,40 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 the Cayman Islands, annual homicides by any means total 2014: 510 2013: 5 2010: 9 2009: 811 2008: 411 12 2007: 2 2006: 1 2004: 6 2003: 3 2002: 0 2001: 2 2000: 4 1998: 112 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 HomicidesDisarmamentAuthorities in the Cayman Islands are known to have41 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation Surrendered in Gun AmnestyIn the Cayman Islands, the number of firearms voluntarily surrendered in recent arms amnesty and collection programmes is reported to be 2641 (2010) Marking and TracingFirearm TracingIn the Cayman Islands, state authorities carry out41 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures Global Peace IndexTo see where the Cayman Islands ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on the Cayman Islands 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.
-
2011. ‘Firearms Fight Heads to Court - Number.’ Caymanian Compass (Cayman Islands). 15 August. (N257) Full Citation
- 3.
-
2014.‘Calculated Rates - Cayman Islands.’ Historical Population Data - USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,4 July. (Q5556)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.
-
GunPolicy.org. 2016. ‘Number of Privately Owned Firearms.’ Definition and Selection Criteria.
Sydney School of Public Health, 12 December. (G1) 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.
-
2016.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Causes of Death.’ WHO Mortality Data Base.Geneva:World Health Organisation,1 December. (Q13354)Full Citation
- 8.
-
2015.‘Number and Rate of Gun Deaths in 90 Countries (Número e taxas de mortalidade por AF segundo causa básica em 90 países do mundo).’ Violence Map: Deaths by Firearms (Mapa da Violência: Mortes Matadas por Armas de Fogo).Brasilia:Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales / Latin American Social Sciences Institute,1 January. (Q11896)Full Citation
- 9.
-
2005.‘Global Gun Deaths.’ NISAT Firearm Mortality Database 2005.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 January. (Q12)Full Citation
- 10.
-
2020.‘Intentional Homicide Victims.’ dataunodc.un.org (web site).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,1 January. (Q13355)Full Citation
- 11.
-
2014.‘Homicides in the Cayman Islands.’ Global Study on Homicide 2013: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),10 April. (Q10102)Full Citation
- 12.
-
2013.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Cayman Islands.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,26 June. (Q6367)Full Citation
- 13.
-
2011.‘Latin America and the Caribbean, 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. (Q3817)Full Citation
- 14.
-
2017.‘Intentional Homicide Victims by Sex.’ Crime and Drugs Data.Vienna:UNODC,19 May. (Q13356)Full Citation
- 15.
-
1964.‘General Restriction on Repair of Firearms.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3655)Full Citation
- 16.
-
1964.‘Special Restrictions on Shortening Firearms and Converting Imitation Firearms into Firearms.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3656)Full Citation
- 17.
-
1964.‘Types of Licences and Permits.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3661)Full Citation
- 18.
-
1964.‘Restriction on Importation or Exportation of Firearms and Bullet-proof Vests.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3652)Full Citation
- 19.
-
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
- 20.
-
1964.‘Restrictions on Delivery of Firearms.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3654)Full Citation
- 21.
-
1964.‘Firearms Law.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q4098)Full Citation
- 22.
-
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
- 23.
-
1964.‘Firearms Law.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3701)Full Citation
- 24.
-
1964.‘Appropriate Authority.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3665)Full Citation
- 25.
-
2011. ‘Firearms Fight Heads to Court - Licensing.’ Caymanian Compass (Cayman Islands). 15 August. (N258) Full Citation
- 26.
-
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
- 27.
-
2013. ‘U.S. Gun Rights Truly Are American Exceptionalism.’ Bloomberg (USA). 7 March. (N422) Full Citation
- 28.
-
1964.‘General Provisions as to Grant and Issue of Licences and Permits.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3662)Full Citation
- 29.
-
1964.‘Definitions and Interpretation.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3651)Full Citation
- 30.
-
1964.‘Possession and Use of Firearms and Bullet-proof Vests.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3658)Full Citation
- 31.
-
1964.‘Duration of Licence or Permit.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3664)Full Citation
- 32.
-
1964.‘Records and Returns.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3657)Full Citation
- 33.
-
1964.‘Restrictions Upon Acquisition or Disposal of Firearms and Bullet-proof Vests.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3653)Full Citation
- 34.
-
1964.‘General Restriction on Carrying Firearms and Wearing Bullet-proof Vests in Public.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3659)Full Citation
- 35.
-
1964.‘Special Provisions Relating to Firearm User's (Special) Licence.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3663)Full Citation
- 36.
-
1964.‘Special Restriction on Carrying of Firearms in Public Places.’ Firearms Law 17 of 1964 (2008 Revision).George Town:Government of the Cayman Islands,22 October. (Q3660)Full Citation
- 37.
-
GunPolicy.org. 2015. ‘Penalty for Unlawful Firearm Possession.’ Definition and Selection Criteria.
Sydney School of Public Health, 22 January. (G93) Full Citation - 38.
-
2013.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York, NY:United Nations General Assembly,7 April. (Q290)Full Citation
- 39.
-
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
- 40.
-
2017.‘Relevant Targets & Indicators.’ Sustainable Development Goal 16.New York NY:United Nations Statistics Division,6 July. (Q14093)Full Citation
- 41.
-
2011. ‘Police Offer Cash-for-Guns.’ CayCompass.com (Cayman Islands). 2 August. (N254) Full Citation
