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Iraq — 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 Iraq is

2017: 7,588,0001
2007: 9,750,0002

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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 Iraq is

2017: 19.601
2007: 34.22

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a 2007 comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Iraq ranked at No. 133

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Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a 2007 comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, Iraq ranked at No. 82

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Iraq are reported to have 611,0004 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Iraq are reported to have 56,0005 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Total Number of Gun Deaths

In Iraq, annual deaths resulting from firearms total

2008: 8,2516

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Rate of All Gun Deaths per 100,000 People

In Iraq, the annual rate of all gun deaths per 100,000 population is

2008: 29.126

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Total Number of Male Gun Deaths

In Iraq, annual male deaths resulting from firearms total

2008: 7,1286

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Rate of Male Gun Death per 100,000 People

In Iraq, the annual rate of male gun death per 100,000 population is

2008: 49.996

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Total Number of Female Gun Deaths

In Iraq, annual female deaths resulting from firearms total

2008: 1,1236

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Rate of Female Gun Death per 100,000 People

In Iraq, the annual rate of female gun death per 100,000 population is

2008: 7.986

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Iraq, annual homicides by any means total

2014: 3,0297
2013: 3,339
2012: 2,697
2011: 2,634
2010: 2,691
2009: 2,554
2008: 2,6456

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

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

2014: 8.427
2013: 9.62
2012: 8.15
2011: 8.32
2010: 8.82
2009: 8.66
2008: 9.336
2004: 7.348
2002: 2.90

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Iraq, annual male homicides by any means total

2016: 09
2015: 0
2014: 2,498
2013: 5,598
2012: 4,375
2011: 4,288
2010: 4,418
2009: 3,204
2008: 2,1846
2007: 0

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

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

2013: 16.339
2012: 13.20
2011: 13.36
2010: 14.21
2009: 10.60
2008: 15.326

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Iraq, annual female homicides by any means total

2014: 5319
2013: 541
2012: 510
2011: 491
2010: 482
2009: 952
2008: 4616

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

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

2013: 3.239
2012: 3.15
2011: 3.13
2010: 3.17
2009: 6.44
2008: 3.276

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Gun Homicides

In Iraq, annual firearm homicides total

2008: 1,77210

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

In Iraq, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2008: 6.256

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Proportion of Homicides Committed With a Gun

In Iraq, the percentage of homicides committed with a firearm is reported to be

2011: 45%11

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Male Gun Homicide Victims

In Iraq, annual male firearm homicides total

2008: 1,4786

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Rate of Male Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

In Iraq, the annual rate of male firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2008: 10.376

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Female Gun Homicide Victims

In Iraq, annual female firearm homicides total

2008: 2946

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Rate of Female Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

In Iraq, the annual rate of female firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2008: 2.096

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Suicides (any method)

In Iraq, annual suicides by any means total

2008: 36

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

In Iraq, the annual rate of suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2008: 0.016

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Male Suicide Victims (any method)

In Iraq, annual male suicides by any means total

2008: 16

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

In Iraq, the annual rate of male suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2008: 0.016

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Female Suicide Victims (any method)

In Iraq, annual female suicides by any means total

2008: 26

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

In Iraq, the annual rate of female suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2008: 0.016

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Unintentional Gun Deaths

In Iraq, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2008: 5,12310

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

In Iraq, the annual rate of unintentional shooting death per 100,000 population is

2008: 18.086

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Unintentional Male Gun Deaths

In Iraq, annual unintentional male shooting deaths total

2008: 4,5866

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Rate of Unintentional Male Gun Death per 100,000 People

In Iraq, the annual rate of unintentional male shooting death per 100,000 population is

2008: 32.166

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Unintentional Female Gun Deaths

In Iraq, annual unintentional female shooting deaths total

2008: 5376

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Rate of Unintentional Female Gun Death per 100,000 People

In Iraq, the annual rate of unintentional female shooting death per 100,000 population is

2008: 3.816

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Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

In Iraq, annual shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

2008: 92710

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

In Iraq, the annual rate of unknown-cause shooting deaths per 100,000 population is

2008: 3.276

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Male Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

In Iraq, annual male shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

2008: 7656

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

In Iraq, the annual rate of unknown-cause male shooting deaths per 100,000 population is

2008: 5.376

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Female Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

In Iraq, annual female shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

2008: 1626

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

In Iraq, the annual rate of unknown-cause female shooting deaths per 100,000 population is

2008: 1.156

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Legal Intervention Gun Homicides

In Iraq, annual legal-intervention gun homicides total

2008: 4296

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

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

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Firearm Exports

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Iraq is reported by Customs to be US$8313 (2011)

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Firearm Imports

In Iraq, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law12 14

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Iraq is reported by Customs to be US$

2016: 121,000,00015

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

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Law Regulates Civilian Access to Firearms

In Iraq, civilian possession of guns is regulated by law11

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Iraq includes the Weapons Act, Law No. 13 of 199216

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Iraq are regulated by the Ministry of the Interior17

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Iraq, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law18 19

Restricted Firearms and Ammunition

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Law Regulates Automatic Weapons

In Iraq, civilian possession of automatic weapons is regulated by law11

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Law Regulates Handguns

In Iraq, civilian possession of handguns is regulated by law11

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Law Regulates Long Guns

In Iraq, civilian possession of rifles and shotguns is regulated by law11

Gun Ownership and Possession

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Iraq must pass a background check which considers undefined11 records

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Iraq, the law requires20 21 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 Iraq, State agencies are required22 23 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 Dealer Gun Sales

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

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Government

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

Carrying Guns

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Law Regulates Firearms in Public

In Iraq, carrying a gun in a public place is regulated by law11

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

League of Arab States

As a member of the League of Arab States, Iraq adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200224

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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 signed25 by Iraq.

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Arms Trade Treaty

The Arms Trade Treaty has not been signed26 by Iraq

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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 signed and ratified27 by Iraq

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Iraq 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 Aspects28

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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 Iraq against its commitments to the PoA, then ranked it at No. 12329 30 31 32 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, Iraq has submitted one or more national reports33 34 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Iraq, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated34

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Iraq, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated34

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Iraq submitted to the UN from 2001 to 2010, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities was not apparent34

UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated34 by Iraq to other UN Member States

UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided34 to Iraq by other UN Member States

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United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Iraq has not declared35 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Iraq has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194536

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list37 Iraq 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 16,38 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.

Link
Conflict Deaths

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

Disarmament

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Firearms Surrendered and Seized

ChartIn Iraq, the number of firearms voluntarily surrendered, bought back or seized by authorities is reported to be

2012: 11,82039
2011: 17,281
2010: 10,949

Marking and Tracing

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Firearm Marking

In Iraq, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law20 16 40 21

Link
Global Peace Index

To see where Iraq ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index

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.2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q4)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.

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

7.

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

8.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Middle East and North 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. (Q3813)Full Citation

9.

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

10.

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

11.

Butchart, Alexander, Christopher Mikton and Etienne Krug.2014.‘Country Profile: Iraq.’ Global Status Report on Violence Prevention 2014.Geneva:World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),10 December. (Q9503)Full Citation

12.

Iraq.2012.‘Enforcement and Prosecution.’ National Report of Iraq 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 Iraq to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13139)Full Citation

13.

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

14.

Iraq.2012.‘Export Controls.’ National Report of Iraq 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 Iraq to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13141)Full Citation

15.

Picard, Michael, Paul Holtom and Fiona Mangan.2019.‘Annexe A2: Annual Authorized Small Arms and Light Weapons Imports by Major Importers.’ Trade Update 2019: Transfers, Transparency, and South-east Asia Spotlight.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,12 December. (Q14070)Full Citation

16.

Iraq.2012.‘Legislation, Regulations and Administrative Measures.’ National Report of Iraq 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 Iraq to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13138)Full Citation

17.

Iraq.2012.‘Dealers.’ National Report of Iraq 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 Iraq to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13142)Full Citation

18.

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

19.

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

20.

Iraq.2012.‘Marking, Record-keeping and Follow-up.’ National Report of Iraq 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 Iraq to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13143)Full Citation

21.

Iraq.2010.‘Labelling and Record-Keeping and Tracing.’ National Report of Iraq 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 Iraq to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4798)Full Citation

22.

Iraq.2012.‘Management and Safeguarding of Accumulated Stocks of Weapons.’ National Report of Iraq 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 Iraq to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13140)Full Citation

23.

Iraq.2010.‘Stockpile Management and Security.’ National Report of Iraq 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 Iraq to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4797)Full Citation

24.

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

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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

29.

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

30.

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

31.

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

32.

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

33.

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

34.

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

35.

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

36.

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

37.

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

38.

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

39.

Karp, Aaron, Nicholas Marsh and Giorgio Ravagli.2015.‘Number of Firearms Reported Seized by Police, 2010-2013.’ UNODC Study on Firearms 2015.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),3 July. (Q10542)Full Citation

40.

Iraq.2010.‘Legislation, Regulations and Administrative Procedures.’ National Report of Iraq 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 Iraq to the United Nations,1 January. (Q4796)Full Citation