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Comoros — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

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StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms

ChartThe estimated total number of guns (both licit and illicit) held by civilians in the Comoros is

2017: 12,0001
2005: 11,0002

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

ChartThe estimated rate of private gun ownership (both licit and illicit) per 100 people in the Comoros is

2017: 1.483
2005: 1.67

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 206 countries, the Comoros ranked at No. 1774

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Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of privately owned guns in 206 countries, the Comoros ranked at No.1604

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of the Comoros are reported to have 6005 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in the Comoros are reported to have 2,0006 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn the Comoros, annual homicides by any means total

2015: 597
2014: 54
2013: 52
2012: 728
2011: 50
2010: 58
2008: 859

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

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

2015: 7.677
2014: 7.22
2013: 7.16
2012: 10.08
2011: 7.11
2010: 8.33
2008: 12.29
2007: 0.7010
2006: 1.00
2004: 9.30
2002: 7.50

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn the Comoros, annual male homicides by any means total

2015: 4611
2010: 4211

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

In the Comoros, the annual rate of male homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2015: 11.6111

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn the Comoros, annual female homicides by any means total

2015: 1411
2010: 17

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

In the Comoros, the annual rate of female homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2015: 3.7311

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Suicides (any method)

ChartIn the Comoros, annual suicides by any means total

2016: 5412
2015: 53
2010: 45
2000: 27

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

ChartIn the Comoros, the annual rate of suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 6.8012
2015: 6.79
2010: 6.37
2000: 4.95

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Male Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn the Comoros, annual male suicides by any means total

2016: 4012
2015: 39
2010: 34
2000: 20

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Rate of Male Suicide per 100,000 People (any method)

ChartIn the Comoros, the annual rate of male suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 10.3912
2015: 10.31
2010: 9.92
2000: 7.52

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Female Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn the Comoros, annual female suicides by any means total

2016: 1412
2015: 14
2010: 12
2000: 8

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Rate of Female Suicide per 100,000 People (any method)

ChartIn the Comoros, the annual rate of female suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 3.4212
2015: 3.48
2010: 3.30
2000: 2.86

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In the Comoros, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is prohibited13

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Home-made Guns

In the Comoros, the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be moderate14

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Firearm Exports

In the Comoros, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law15

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

ChartThe annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from the Comoros is reported by Customs to be US$

2015: 39,00016
2013: 1,000

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Firearm Imports

In the Comoros, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law15

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

ChartThe annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to the Comoros is reported by Customs to be US$

2011: 3,570
2009: 1,000

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In the Comoros, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law17

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in the Comoros do not include18 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in the Comoros includes the Penal Code and the Customs Code15

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Right to Possess Firearms

In the Comoros, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law19 20

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In the Comoros, 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

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In the Comoros, State agencies are required22 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 - Government

Government regulations in the Comoros include22 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

League of Arab States

As a member of the League of Arab States, the Comoros adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200223

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, the Comoros 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 200624 25

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Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development

The Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, a diplomatic initiative aimed at addressing the interrelations between armed violence and development, was not signed26 by the Comoros.

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Arms Trade Treaty

The Arms Trade Treaty has been signed, but not yet ratified27 by the Comoros

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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 acceded to28 by the Comoros

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, the Comoros 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 Aspects29

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, the Comoros has submitted one or more national reports30 31 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In the Comoros, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated31

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In the Comoros, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated31

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of the Comoros submitted to the UN from 2001 to 2010, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities was not apparent31

UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated31 by the Comoros to other UN Member States

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United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, the Comoros have not declared32 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, the Comoros have been a Member State of the United Nations since 197533

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list34 the Comoros as a Participating State

BackgroundSustainable Development Goal Profile

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About SDG 16

The 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 16,35 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.

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn the Comoros, annual homicides by any means total

2015: 597
2014: 54
2013: 52
2012: 728
2011: 50
2010: 58
2008: 859

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

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

2015: 7.677
2014: 7.22
2013: 7.16
2012: 10.08
2011: 7.11
2010: 8.33
2008: 12.29
2007: 0.7010
2006: 1.00
2004: 9.30
2002: 7.50

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn the Comoros, annual male homicides by any means total

2015: 4611
2010: 4211

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

In the Comoros, the annual rate of male homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2015: 11.6111

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn the Comoros, annual female homicides by any means total

2015: 1411
2010: 17

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

In the Comoros, the annual rate of female homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2015: 3.7311

Link
Conflict Deaths

For a profile of conflict in the Comoros, select the Link icon to open an external web page from the UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia at Uppsala University

Disarmament

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In the Comoros, it is state policy22 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

Marking and Tracing

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Firearm Marking

In the Comoros, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law21 13

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Firearm Tracing

In the Comoros, state authorities do not carry out36 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Link
Global Peace Index

To see where the Comoros ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on the Comoros on the map or in the "Select Country" menu on the right of the web page

Short References

1.

Karp, Aaron.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.

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.

GunPolicy.org.2016.‘Calculated Rates - Comoros.’ Historical Population Data - USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,3 August. (Q16285)Full Citation

4.

GunPolicy.org.2022.‘Calculated Ranking.’ Estimating global civilian-held firearm numbers..Geneva:GunPolicy.org,30 June. (Q15876)Full Citation

5.

Karp, Aaron.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.

Karp, Aaron.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.

UNODC.2020.‘Intentional Homicide Victims.’ dataunodc.un.org (web site).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,1 January. (Q13355)Full Citation

8.

UNODC.2014.‘Homicides in Comoros.’ Global Study on Homicide 2013: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),10 April. (Q9932)Full Citation

9.

UNODC.2013.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Comoros.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,26 June. (Q6423)Full Citation

10.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Sub-Saharan 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. (Q3812)Full Citation

11.

UNODC.2017.‘Intentional Homicide Victims by Sex.’ Crime and Drugs Data.Vienna:UNODC,19 May. (Q13356)Full Citation

12.

WHO.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

13.

Comoros.2018.‘Manufacture (Fabrication).’ National Report of Comoros 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 Comoros to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13602)Full Citation

14.

Comoros.2018.‘Manufacture (Fabrication).’ National Report of Comoros 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 Comoros to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13603)Full Citation

15.

Comoros.2018.‘International Transfers (Transferts internationaux).’ National Report of Comoros 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 Comoros to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13604)Full Citation

16.

International Trade Centre (ITC).2022.‘Exported values (2002-2021).’ Trade Map.Geneva:International Trade Centre (ITC),31 August. (Q16040)Full Citation

17.

Comoros.2018.‘Brokering (Courtage).’ National Report of Comoros 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 Comoros to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13605)Full Citation

18.

Comoros.2018.‘End-user Certificate (Certificat d'utilisation finale).’ National Report of Comoros 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 Comoros to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13606)Full Citation

19.

Sherman, Amy and Tom Ginsburg.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

20.

Zachary Elkins, Tom Ginsburg and James Melton. 2013. ‘U.S. Gun Rights Truly Are American Exceptionalism.’ Bloomberg (USA). 7 March. (N422) Full Citation

21.

Comoros.2018.‘Marking and Record Keeping.’ National Report of Comoros 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 Comoros to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13608)Full Citation

22.

Comoros.2018.‘Stockpile Management (Gestion des stocks).’ National Report of Comoros 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 Comoros to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13607)Full Citation

23.

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, NY:Council of the League of Arab States / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,1 January. (Q3215)Full Citation

24.

African Union / UNODA.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

25.

African Union.2015.‘Member States.’ African Union: A United and Strong Africa.Addis Ababa:African Union,10 August. (Q10548)Full Citation

26.

GDAV.2006.‘Geneva Declaration.’ Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development.Geneva:Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development Secretariat,7 June. (Q7162)Full Citation

27.

UNODA.2013.‘Towards Entry Into Force.’ Arms Trade Treaty.New York, NY:United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,2 April. (Q7226)Full Citation

28.

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, NY:UN General Assembly,31 May. (Q17)Full Citation

29.

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, NY:UN General Assembly,20 July. (Q18)Full Citation

30.

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

31.

UNODA.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

32.

UNODA.2011.‘National Reports on Small Arms Exports.’ United Nations Register of Conventional Arms - Transparency in the Global Reported Arms Trade.New York, NY:United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,21 October. (Q14)Full Citation

33.

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

34.

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

35.

United Nations.2017.‘Relevant Targets & Indicators.’ Sustainable Development Goal 16.New York NY:United Nations Statistics Division,6 July. (Q14093)Full Citation

36.

Comoros.2018.‘International Tracing (Traçage international).’ National Report of Comoros 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 Comoros to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13609)Full Citation