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Gambia — 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 Gambia is

2017: 137,0001
2007: 123,0002

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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 Gambia is

2017: 6.501
2007: 0.82

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a 2017 comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Gambia ranked at No. 1291

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Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a 2017 comparison of the rate of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Gambia ranked at No.961

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Gambia are reported to have 1,0803 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Gambia are reported to have 5,0004 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual homicides by any means total

2015: 1805
2012: 1826
2010: 166
2008: 1767

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

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

2015: 9.175
2012: 10.26
2010: 9.46
2008: 10.87
2004: 6.958 7
2002: 10.008
1995: 0.71

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual male homicides by any means total

2015: 1639
2010: 1149

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

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

2015: 16.619

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual female homicides by any means total

2015: 189
2010: 52

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

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

2015: 1.799

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Suicides (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual suicides by any means total

2016: 10510
2015: 103
2010: 87
2000: 82

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

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

2016: 5.2210
2015: 5.23
2010: 4.96
2000: 6.04

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Male Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual male suicides by any means total

2016: 6610
2015: 65
2010: 56
2000: 50

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

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

2016: 6.6510
2015: 6.68
2010: 6.45
2000: 7.42

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Female Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual female suicides by any means total

2016: 3810
2015: 38
2010: 31
2000: 32

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

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

2016: 3.7410
2015: 3.82
2010: 3.50
2000: 4.68

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Gambia, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is prohibited11

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Home-made Guns

In Gambia, the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be low12

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Firearm Exports

In Gambia, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law13

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Gambia is reported by Customs to be US$19,04314 (2007)

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Firearm Imports

In Gambia, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law15 16

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Gambia is reported by Customs to be US$24,88114 (2011)

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Gambia is moderate17

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Gambia includes the Arms and Ammunition Act 14 of 192418

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Gambia are regulated by the Police15 and the President19

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Gambia, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law20 21

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Gun Ownership and Possession

In Gambia, no person except members of an approved firearms club22 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Gambia are permitted to possess one firearm15

Firearm Registration

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Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In Gambia, licensed firearm dealers are required16 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

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State-Owned Firearm Records

In Gambia, State agencies are required23 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Gambia, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited without a valid firearms licence16

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Gambia, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful16

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Gambia include16 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 Gambia, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is prohibited24

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Gambia, the maximum penalty for unlawful possession of a firearm25 is two weeks26 24

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Gambia 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 200627 28

Economic Community of West African States

In June 2006, as a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gambia adopted the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and other Related Materials. This stipulates strict controls on the transfer, manufacture, possession and security of small arms and light weapons29

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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 signed30 by Gambia.

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Arms Trade Treaty

The Arms Trade Treaty has not been signed31 by Gambia

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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 signed32 by Gambia

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Gambia 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 Aspects33

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UNPoA Implementation Monitor Score

In its UN small arms Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (PoAIM Phase 1), the Small Arms Survey scored Gambia against its commitments to the PoA, then ranked it at No. 13134 35 36 37 among 159 Member States

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Gambia has submitted one or more national reports38 39 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Gambia, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated39

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Gambia, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated40

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Gambia submitted to the UN from 2001 to 2010, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities was apparent39

UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated39 by Gambia to other UN Member States

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United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Gambia has not declared41 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Gambia has been a Member State of the United Nations since 196542

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list43 Gambia 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 16,44 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 Gambia, annual homicides by any means total

2015: 1805
2012: 1826
2010: 166
2008: 1767

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

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

2015: 9.175
2012: 10.26
2010: 9.46
2008: 10.87
2004: 6.958 7
2002: 10.008
1995: 0.71

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual male homicides by any means total

2015: 1639
2010: 1149

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

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

2015: 16.619

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual female homicides by any means total

2015: 189
2010: 52

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

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

2015: 1.799

Link
Conflict Deaths

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

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Disarmament

Authorities in Gambia are not known to have45 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation

Marking and Tracing

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Firearm Marking

In Gambia, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law23 15

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Firearm Tracing

In Gambia, state authorities carry out23 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Link
Global Peace Index

To see where Gambia ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on Gambia 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.

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

4.

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

5.

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

6.

UNODC.2014.‘Homicides in Gambia.’ Global Study on Homicide 2013: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),10 April. (Q10000)Full Citation

7.

UNODC.2013.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Gambia.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,26 June. (Q6382)Full Citation

8.

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

9.

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

10.

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

11.

Gambia.1924.‘Sections 18 and 19: Firearm Manufacture and Repair.’ Arms and Ammunition Act 14 of 1924.Banjul:Gambia,1 January. (Q15639)Full Citation

12.

Gambia.2005.‘Home-made Guns.’ National Report of Gambia 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 Gambia to the United Nations,9 July. (Q12685)Full Citation

13.

Gambia.1924.‘Sections 3 and 4: Firearms Export.’ Arms and Ammunition Act 14 of 1924.Banjul:Gambia,1 January. (Q15637)Full Citation

14.

Marsh, Nicholas.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

15.

Gambia.2005.‘Export Controls.’ National Report of Gambia 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 Gambia to the United Nations,9 July. (Q12686)Full Citation

16.

Gambia.1924.‘Sections 6-17: Firearm Imports, Sales, and Transfers.’ Arms and Ammunition Act 14 of 1924.Banjul:Gambia,1 January. (Q15638)Full Citation

17.

Mangan, Fiona and Matthias Nowak.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

18.

Gambia.1924.‘Section 1: Interpretation.’ Arms and Ammunition Act 14 of 1924.Banjul:Gambia,1 January. (Q15634)Full Citation

19.

Gambia.1924.‘Section 22: Firearm Regulatory Authority.’ Arms and Ammunition Act 14 of 1924.Banjul:Gambia,1 January. (Q15635)Full Citation

20.

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

21.

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

22.

Gambia.1924.‘Section 27: Firearm Ownership.’ Arms and Ammunition Act 14 of 1924.Banjul:Gambia,1 January. (Q15640)Full Citation

23.

Gambia.2005.‘Stockpile Management.’ National Report of Gambia 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 Gambia to the United Nations,9 July. (Q12684)Full Citation

24.

Gambia.1924.‘Section 28: Carrying Firearms.’ Arms and Ammunition Act 14 of 1924.Banjul:Gambia,1 January. (Q15641)Full Citation

25.

GunPolicy.org. 2015. ‘Penalty for Unlawful Firearm Possession.’ Definition and Selection Criteria.
Sydney School of Public Health, 22 January. (G93) Full Citation

26.

Gambia.1924.‘Section 29: Penalty for Illicit Carry.’ Arms and Ammunition Act 14 of 1924.Banjul:Gambia,1 January. (Q15636)Full Citation

27.

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

28.

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

29.

ECOWAS / UNODA.2006.‘Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition and other Related Materials.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York, NY:Economic Community of West African States Secretariat / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 June. (Q3219)Full Citation

30.

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

31.

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

32.

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

33.

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

34.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.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

35.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.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

36.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.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

37.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.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

38.

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

39.

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

40.

IANSA.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

41.

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

42.

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

43.

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

44.

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

45.

Gambia.2005.‘Collection and Disposal.’ National Report of Gambia 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 Gambia to the United Nations,9 July. (Q12683)Full Citation