Find Gun Policy Facts

Armed violence prevention, gun control laws and the small arms trade:

Go To ..

Gambia — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

expand all collapse all

StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

Compare
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

Compare
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

Compare
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. 1293

Compare
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.963

Government Guns

Compare
Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Gambia are reported to have 1,0804 firearms

Compare
Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Gambia are reported to have 5,0005 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

Compare
Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual homicides by any means total

2015: 1806
2012: 1827
2010: 166
2008: 1768

Compare
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: 9.176
2012: 10.27
2010: 9.46
2008: 10.88
2004: 6.959 8
2002: 10.009
1995: 0.71

Compare
Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual male homicides by any means total

2015: 16310
2010: 11410

Compare
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: 16.6110

Compare
Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual female homicides by any means total

2015: 1810
2010: 52

Compare
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: 1.7910

Compare
Suicides (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual suicides by any means total

2016: 10511
2015: 103
2010: 87
2000: 82

Compare
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: 5.2211
2015: 5.23
2010: 4.96
2000: 6.04

Compare
Male Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual male suicides by any means total

2016: 6611
2015: 65
2010: 56
2000: 50

Compare
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: 6.6511
2015: 6.68
2010: 6.45
2000: 7.42

Compare
Female Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual female suicides by any means total

2016: 3811
2015: 38
2010: 31
2000: 32

Compare
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: 3.7411
2015: 3.82
2010: 3.50
2000: 4.68

ProductionGun Industry

Compare
Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Gambia, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is prohibited12

Compare
Home-made Guns

In Gambia, the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be low13

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Compare
Firearm Exports

In Gambia, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law14

Compare
Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Gambia is reported by Customs to be US$19,04315 (2007)

Compare
Firearm Imports

In Gambia, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law16 17

Compare
Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Gambia is reported by Customs to be US$24,88115 (2011)

Compare
Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Gambia is moderate18

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Gambia includes the Arms and Ammunition Act 14 of 192419

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Gambia are regulated by the Police16 and the President20

Compare
Right to Possess Firearms

In Gambia, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law21 22

Compare
Gun Ownership and Possession

In Gambia, no person except members of an approved firearms club23 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Compare
Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Gambia are permitted to possess one firearm16

Firearm Registration

Compare
Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In Gambia, licensed firearm dealers are required17 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

Compare
State-Owned Firearm Records

In Gambia, State agencies are required24 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Gun Sales and Transfers

Compare
Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Gambia, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited without a valid firearms licence17

Compare
Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Gambia, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful17

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

Compare
Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Gambia include17 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit

Carrying Guns

Compare
Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Gambia, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is prohibited25

Compare
Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Gambia, the maximum penalty for unlawful possession of a firearm26 is two weeks27 25

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 200628 29

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 weapons30

Compare
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 signed31 by Gambia.

Compare
Arms Trade Treaty

The Arms Trade Treaty has not been signed32 by Gambia

Compare
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 signed33 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 Aspects34

Compare
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. 13135 36 37 38 among 159 Member States

Compare
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 reports39 40 on its implementation of the UNPoA

Compare
UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Gambia, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated40

Compare
UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Gambia, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated41

Compare
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 apparent40

UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated40 by Gambia to other UN Member States

Compare
United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Gambia has not declared42 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 196543

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list44 Gambia as a Participating State

BackgroundSustainable Development Goal Profile

Link
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 16,45 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.

Compare
Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual homicides by any means total

2015: 1806
2012: 1827
2010: 166
2008: 1768

Compare
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: 9.176
2012: 10.27
2010: 9.46
2008: 10.88
2004: 6.959 8
2002: 10.009
1995: 0.71

Compare
Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual male homicides by any means total

2015: 16310
2010: 11410

Compare
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: 16.6110

Compare
Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Gambia, annual female homicides by any means total

2015: 1810
2010: 52

Compare
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: 1.7910

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

Compare
Disarmament

Authorities in Gambia are not known to have46 implemented voluntary firearm surrender schemes, and/or weapon seizure programmes in order to reduce the number of illicit firearms in circulation

Marking and Tracing

Compare
Firearm Marking

In Gambia, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law24 16

Compare
Firearm Tracing

In Gambia, state authorities carry out24 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.

GunPolicy.org.2022.‘Calculated Ranking.’ Estimating Global Civilian-Held Firearms Numbers..Geneva:GunPolicy.org,30 June. (Q15876)Full Citation

4.

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

5.

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

6.

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

7.

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

8.

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

9.

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

10.

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

11.

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

12.

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

13.

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

14.

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

15.

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

16.

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

17.

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

18.

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

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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

22.

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

23.

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

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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

29.

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

30.

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

31.

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

32.

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

33.

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

34.

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

35.

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

36.

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

37.

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

38.

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

39.

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

40.

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

41.

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

42.

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

43.

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

44.

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

45.

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

46.

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