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Hong Kong — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

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StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms

The estimated total number of guns (both licit and illicit) held by civilians in Hong Kong is

2017: 265,0001

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Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 Population

The estimated rate of private gun ownership (both licit and illicit) per 100 people in Hong Kong is

2017: 3.601

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Hong Kong is reported to be

2017: 3.601

Government Guns

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Hong Kong are reported to have 28,0002 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Total Number of Gun Deaths

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual deaths resulting from firearms total

2015: 23
2014: 2
2013: 1
2012: 2
2011: 14
2010: 1
2009: 1
2008: 1
2007: 4

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Rate of All Gun Deaths per 100,000 People

ChartIn Hong Kong, the annual rate of all gun deaths per 100,000 population is

2015: 0.033
2014: 0.03
2013: 0.01
2012: 0.03
2011: 0.01
2010: 0.01
2009: 0.01
2008: 0.01
2007: 0.06

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Total Number of Male Gun Deaths

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual male deaths resulting from firearms total

2015: 23
2014: 2
2013: 1
2012: 2
2011: 1
2010: 1
2009: 1
2008: 1
2007: 4

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Rate of Male Gun Death per 100,000 People

ChartIn Hong Kong, the annual rate of male gun death per 100,000 population is

2015: 0.063
2014: 0.06
2013: 0.03
2012: 0.06
2011: 0.03
2010: 0.03
2009: 0.03
2008: 0.03
2007: 0.12

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Total Number of Female Gun Deaths

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual female deaths resulting from firearms total

2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual homicides by any means total

2016: 285
2015: 22
2014: 27
2013: 62
2012: 27
2011: 17
2010: 35
2009: 47
2008: 36
2007: 18
2006: 35
2005: 34
2004: 456 7 8
2003: 52
2002: 696 7
2001: 66
2000: 386 9
1999: 589
1998: 63
1997: 10010
1996: 73
1995: 73

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

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

2016: 0.315
2015: 0.25
2014: 0.31
2013: 0.73
2012: 0.33
2011: 0.21
2010: 0.44
2009: 0.60
2008: 0.47
2007: 0.24
2006: 0.5
2005: 0.5
2004: 0.76 7 8
2003: 0.8
2002: 1.06 7
2001: 1.0
2000: 0.66 9 7
1999: 0.869 7
1998: 0.95
1997: 1.5410 7
1996: 1.16
1995: 1.19
1993: 1.2311

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual male homicides by any means total

2015: 133
2014: 6
2013: 2512
2012: 15
2011: 8
2010: 16
2009: 22
2008: 11
2007: 7

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

ChartIn Hong Kong, the annual rate of male homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2015: 0.393
2014: 0.18
2013: 0.45
2012: 0.30
2011: 0.24
2010: 0.51
2009: 0.42
2008: 0.15
2007: 0.45

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual female homicides by any means total

2015: 93
2014: 7
2013: 3712
2012: 12
2011: 9
2010: 19
2009: 25
2008: 25
2007: 11

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

ChartIn Hong Kong, the annual rate of female homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2015: 0.243
2014: 0.18
2013: 0.9712
2012: 0.32
2011: 0.24
2010: 0.51
2009: 0.68
2008: 0.68
2007: 0.30

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual firearm homicides total

2017: 05
2016: 0
2015: 0
2014: 1
2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 06
2009: 0
2008: 0
2007: 23
2006: 1
2005: 1
2004: 08
2003: 3
2000: 19
1997: 210
1996: 4
1995: 3

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Hong Kong, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2017: 05
2016: 0
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0.04
2010: 0.0013
2009: 0.00
2008: 0.00
2007: 0.033
2006: 0.01
2005: 0.01
2004: 0.008
2003: 0.04
2000: 0.019
1997: 0.0310
1996: 0.06
1995: 0.05
1993: 0.1214

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Proportion of Homicides Committed With a Gun

ChartIn Hong Kong, the percentage of homicides committed with a firearm is reported to be

2010: 0%6
2009: 0%
2008: 0%
2007: 0%
2006: 3%
2005: 3%
2004: 0.0%7
2003: 5.8%
2000: 2.3%
1997: 2.0%
1996: 5.5%
1995: 4.1%

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Male Gun Homicide Victims

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual male firearm homicides total

2017: 05
2016: 0
2015: 0
2014: 1
2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0
2007: 23

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Rate of Male Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Hong Kong, the annual rate of male firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2017: 05
2016: 0
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0
2007: 0.063

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Female Gun Homicide Victims

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual female firearm homicides total

2017: 05
2016: 0
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Rate of Female Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Hong Kong, the annual rate of female firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2017: 05
2016: 0
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Suicides (any method)

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual suicides by any means total

2015: 9913
2014: 926
2013: 9993
2012: 822
2011: 821
2010: 1,008
2009: 1,024
2008: 878
2007: 922
1999: 87215

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

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

2015: 13.883
2014: 13.02
2013: 14.11
2012: 11.66
2011: 11.68
2010: 14.34
2009: 14.55
2008: 12.48
2007: 13.16
1999: 12.3715
1993: 10.2916

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Male Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual male suicides by any means total

2015: 6283
2014: 563
2013: 6193
2012: 513
2011: 506
2010: 629
2009: 626
2008: 535
2007: 578

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

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

2015: 18.883
2014: 16.99
2013: 18.75
2012: 15.60
2011: 15.39
2010: 19.01
2009: 18.78
2008: 15.99
2007: 17.29

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Female Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual female suicides by any means total

2015: 3633
2014: 363
2013: 3803
2012: 309
2011: 315
2010: 379
2009: 398
2008: 343
2007: 344

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

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

2015: 9.513
2014: 9.56
2013: 10.05
2012: 8.21
2011: 8.42
2010: 10.19
2009: 10.74
2008: 9.30
2007: 9.40

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Gun Suicides

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual firearm suicides total

2015: 23
2014: 2
2013: 03
2012: 2
2011: 14
2010: 0
2009: 1
2008: 1
2007: 1
1999: 215

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Hong Kong, the annual rate of firearm suicide per 100,000 population is

2015: 0.033
2014: 0.03
2013: 03
2012: 0.03
2011: 0.01
2010: 0
2009: 0.01
2008: 0.01
2007: 0.01
1999: 0.0315
1993: 0.0717

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Male Gun Suicide Victims

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual male firearm suicides total

2015: 23
2014: 2
2013: 03
2012: 2
2011: 1
2010: 0
2009: 1
2008: 1
2007: 1

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Rate of Male Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Hong Kong, the annual rate of male firearm suicide per 100,000 population is

2015: 0.063
2014: 0.06
2012: 0.06
2011: 0.03
2009: 0.03
2008: 0.03
2007: 0.03

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Female Gun Suicide Victims

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual female firearm suicides total

2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Unintentional Gun Deaths

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0
1996: 015

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

ChartIn Hong Kong, the annual rate of unintentional shooting death per 100,000 population is

2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0
1996: 0.0015
1993: 0.0018

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Unintentional Male Gun Deaths

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual unintentional male shooting deaths total

2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Unintentional Female Gun Deaths

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual unintentional female shooting deaths total

2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0
1996: 015

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Rate of Gun Death from Undetermined Cause per 100,000 People

ChartIn Hong Kong, the annual rate of unknown-cause shooting deaths per 100,000 population is

1996: 0.0015
1993: 0.0019

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Male Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual male shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Female Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual female shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

2013: 03
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Legal Intervention Gun Homicides

ChartIn Hong Kong, annual legal-intervention gun homicides total

2013: 13
2010: 1
2007: 1

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Firearm Exports

In Hong Kong, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law20

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

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

2016: 2,941,55421
2015: 2,769,960
2014: 1,754,510
2013: 6,917,960
2012: 673,716
2011: 022

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Small Arms Exports - World Ranking

In a comparison of the world's major/mid-level/minor/unknown small arms exporters, Hong Kong was categorized as 'major'23

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Firearm Imports

In Hong Kong, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law20

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

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

2016: 6,987,79221
2015: 6,126,688
2014: 4,372,870
2013: 8,769,708
2012: 6,148,969
2011: 1,478,85922

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Hong Kong includes the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance24

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Hong Kong are regulated by the Department of Justice25

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Hong Kong, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law26 27

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Gun Ownership and Possession

In Hong Kong, only licensed gun owners24 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Firearm Safety Training

In Hong Kong, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required24 for a firearm licence

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Hong Kong, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful24

MeasuresInternational Controls

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Hong Kong is not a Member State of the United Nations28

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list29 Hong Kong 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 16,30 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.

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.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

3.

WHO.2016.‘Inter-country Comparison of Mortality for Selected Causes of Death.’ WHO Mortality Data Base.Geneva:World Health Organisation,1 December. (Q13354)Full Citation

4.

Waiselfiz, Julio Jacobo.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

5.

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

6.

UNODC.2014.‘Homicides and Gun Homicides in Hong Kong.’ Global Study on Homicide 2013: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),10 April. (Q10255)Full Citation

7.

UNODC.2013.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Hong Kong.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,26 June. (Q6319)Full Citation

8.

UNODC.2006.‘Reported Overall Homicide Numbers and Rates per 100,000 Population for 64 Countries, 2003-04.’ Ninth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2003 - 2004).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q9)Full Citation

9.

UNODC.2004.‘Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed.’ Seventh United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (1998-2000).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,19 March. (Q91)Full Citation

10.

UNODC.2001.‘Hong Kong: Total Recorded Intentional Homicides (Completed) and Total Recorded Intentional Homicides Committed With a Firearm.’ Sixth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems, covering the period 1995-1997.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,27 June. (Q1334)Full Citation

11.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1301)Full Citation

12.

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

13.

GunPolicy.org.2015.‘Calculated Rates - Hong Kong.’ Historical Population Data - USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,15 June. (Q10285)Full Citation

14.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1297)Full Citation

15.

Jackson, Thomas.2005.‘Global Gun Deaths.’ NISAT Firearm Mortality Database 2005.Oslo:Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers,1 January. (Q12)Full Citation

16.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1302)Full Citation

17.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1298)Full Citation

18.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1299)Full Citation

19.

Krug, E G, K E Powell and L L Dahlberg.1998.‘Firearm-Related Deaths in the United States and 35 Other High- and Upper-Middle-Income Countries.’ International Journal of Epidemiology.Atlanta:National Centre for Injury Prevention & Control, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC,16 April. (Q1300)Full Citation

20.

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. (Q82)Full Citation

21.

United Nations.2018.‘National Customs Data on Small Arms Exports and Imports - Hong Kong.’ UN Comtrade International Trade Statistics Database.New York NY:United Nations Statistics Division,1 January. (Q13416)Full Citation

22.

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

23.

Holtom, Paul, Irene Pavesi and Christelle Rigual.2014.‘Exporters of Small Arms Based on UN Comtrade, 2011.’ Small Arms Survey 2014: Women and Guns.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press and the Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,16 June. (Q11037)Full Citation

24.

Hong Kong.1999.‘Tighter Controls on Arms and Ammunition Proposed.’ HKGIS Daily Information Bulletin.Hong Kong:Hong Kong Government Information Service,15 January. (Q1368)Full Citation

25.

Hong Kong.1997.‘Firearms and Ammunition Regulations 1997.’ Bilingual Laws Information System (BLIS).Hong Kong:Department of Justice,30 June. (Q1369)Full Citation

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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

29.

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

30.

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