Liberia — Gun Facts, Figures and the LawStockpilesGun NumbersCivilian GunsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Number of Privately Owned FirearmsRate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 PopulationNumber of Privately Owned RiflesNumber of Privately Owned ShotgunsNumber of Privately Owned HandgunsNumber of Privately Owned Firearms - World RankingIn a 2007 comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 178 countries, Liberia ranked at No. 1523 Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World RankingIn a 2007 comparison of the rate of private gun ownership in 178 countries, Liberia ranked at No. 1292 Government GunsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ImpactsDeath and InjuryHomicides (any method)Blue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Male Homicide Victims (any method)Rate of Male Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Female Homicide Victims (any method)Rate of Female Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Gun HomicidesBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleSuicides (any method)Blue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Rate of Suicide per 100,000 People (any method)Male Suicide Victims (any method)Rate of Male Suicide per 100,000 People (any method)Female Suicide Victims (any method)ProductionGun IndustryHome-made GunsIn Liberia, the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be low13 TransfersGun Trade and TraffickingFirearm ExportsFirearm Exports (Number)Small Arms Exports (US$) - CustomsThe annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Liberia is reported by Customs to be US$957,71718 (2011) Firearm ImportsFirearm Imports (Number)Small Arms Imports (US$) - CustomsThe annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Liberia is reported by Customs to be US$1,737,71218 (2011) End User CertificatesCustoms regulations in Liberia include24 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use MeasuresGun RegulationFirearm Regulation - Guiding PolicyThe regulation of guns in Liberia is categorised as restrictive25 Firearm LawGuiding gun control legislation in Liberia includes the Firearms and Ammunition Control Act of 201526 Firearm Regulation AuthorityGuns in Liberia are regulated by the National Commission on Small Arms and the Liberian National Police27 Restricted Firearms and AmmunitionIn Liberia, civilians are not allowed to possess small arms (other than hunting rifles) and light weapons30 Law Regulates Automatic WeaponsIn Liberia, civilian possession of automatic weapons is regulated by law31 Law Regulates HandgunsIn Liberia, civilian possession of handguns is regulated by law31 Law Regulates Long GunsIn Liberia, civilian possession of rifles and shotguns is regulated by law31 Gun Ownership and PossessionIn Liberia, only professional hunters30 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition Genuine Reason Required for Firearm PossessionApplicants for a gun owner’s licence in Liberia are required to establish a genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example hunting30 Minimum Age for Firearm PossessionThe minimum age for gun ownership in Liberia is 18 years32 Gun Owner Background ChecksAn applicant for a firearm licence in Liberia must pass a background check which considers criminal, mental, health, and human rights32 records Firearm Safety TrainingIn Liberia, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required32 for a firearm licence Gun Owner Licensing PeriodIn Liberia, gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every three years33 Firearm RegistrationCivilian Gun RegistrationGun Dealer Record KeepingGun Manufacturer Record KeepingStorage and Transport of Guns and AmmunitionFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - PrivateFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - DealerFirearm regulations in Liberia include32 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - GovernmentGovernment regulations in Liberia include37 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by state entities Carrying GunsLaw Regulates Firearms in PublicIn Liberia, carrying a gun in a public place is regulated by law31 MeasuresInternational ControlsRegional AgreementsAfrican UnionEconomic Community of West African StatesIn June 2006, as a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Liberia 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 weapons40 United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal JusticeThe UNCCPCJ, a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council mandated to promote action to prevent national and transnational crime, lists41 Liberia as an elected member Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and DevelopmentThe Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development, a diplomatic initiative aimed at addressing the interrelations between armed violence and development, was signed in 200642 by Liberia. Arms Trade TreatyThe Arms Trade Treaty has been signed and ratified43 by Liberia United Nations Firearms ProtocolThe United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition has been signed and ratified44 by Liberia United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoAUNPoA CommitmentOn 21 July 2001, Liberia 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 Aspects45 UNPoA Implementation Monitor ScoreUNPoA National ReportingUNPoA National Point of ContactUNPoA National Coordinating BodyIn Liberia, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated51 UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and SupportIn National Reports of Liberia submitted to the UN from 2001 to 2010, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities was apparent51 UNPoA International Assistance – DonorFunds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated51 by Liberia to other UN Member States UNPoA International Assistance – RecipientFunds for UNPoA implementation have been provided51 to Liberia by other UN Member States United Nations Small Arms RegisterAccording to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Liberia has not declared53 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports. United Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, Liberia has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194554 Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list55 Liberia as a Participating State BackgroundSustainable Development Goal ProfileAbout SDG 16The 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 16,56 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. Homicides (any method)Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Male Homicide Victims (any method)Rate of Male Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Female Homicide Victims (any method)Rate of Female Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Gun HomicidesRate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleConflict DeathsFor a profile of conflict in Liberia, select the Link icon to open an external web page from the UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia at Uppsala University DisarmamentSurrendered in Gun AmnestyGlobal Peace IndexTo see where Liberia ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on Liberia on the map or in the "Select Country" menu on the right of the web page |
Short References
- 1.
-
2017.‘Small Arms Ownership Survey Findings.’ Assessing Small Arms Control Mechanisms in Liberia: A Nationwide Baseline Study.Accra:Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre,1 January. (Q14073)Full Citation
- 2.
-
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.
-
2007.‘Completing the Count: Civilian firearms.’ Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,27 August. (Q4)Full Citation
- 4.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
- 7.
-
2020.‘Intentional Homicide Victims.’ dataUNODC.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,1 January. (Q13355)Full Citation
- 8.
-
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.
-
2017.‘Intentional Homicide Victims by Sex.’ Crime and Drugs Data.Vienna:UNODC,19 May. (Q13356)Full Citation
- 10.
-
2013.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Liberia.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,26 June. (Q6378)Full Citation
- 11.
-
2016.‘Prohibition of Manufacture of Small Arms or Ammunition.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13780)Full Citation
- 12.
-
2020.‘Manufacture.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q14451)Full Citation
- 13.
-
2019.‘Excerpts on Illicit/Craft Production - Liberia.’ Weapons Compass: Mapping Illicit Small Arms Flows in Africa.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 January. (Q13988)Full Citation
- 14.
-
2016.‘Prohibition of Import and Export of Arms or Ammunition.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13781)Full Citation
- 15.
-
2020.‘International Transfers.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q14452)Full Citation
- 16.
-
2020.‘Transfer Control.’ Weapons and Ammunition Management Country Insight: Liberia.Geneva:United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research / UNIDIR,11 November. (Q14464)Full Citation
- 17.
-
2017.‘National Reports on Small Arms Exports and Imports.’ Arms Trade Treaty Annual Report.Geneva:Arms Trade Treaty Secretariat,1 January. (Q13951)Full Citation
- 18.
-
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
- 19.
-
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
- 20.
-
2018.‘International Transfers.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q13782)Full Citation
- 21.
-
2010.‘Countries that Send Arms to Embargoed Territories.’ Arms Exports and Transfers: From Sub-Saharan Africa to Sub-Saharan Africa.Brussels:Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network,1 December. (Q5101)Full Citation
- 22.
-
2016.‘Prohibition on Brokering in Arms or Ammunition.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13784)Full Citation
- 23.
-
2020.‘Brokering.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q14457)Full Citation
- 24.
-
2020.‘International Transfers. Licencing and Authorization and Post-Delivery Controls.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q14453)Full Citation
- 25.
-
1969.‘Firearm Licensing: Permissive v Restrictive.’ Firearms & Violence in American Life: A staff report submitted to the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence.Washington, DC:US Government Printing Office,1 January. (Q22)Full Citation
- 26.
-
2016.‘Purpose.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13785)Full Citation
- 27.
-
2016.‘Institutional Arrangements.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13786)Full Citation
- 28.
-
2016.‘License not Granted as of Right.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13787)Full Citation
- 29.
-
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
- 30.
-
2016.‘Prohibition of Possession of Small Arms.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13788)Full Citation
- 31.
-
2014.‘Country Profile: Liberia.’ 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. (Q9619)Full Citation
- 32.
-
2016.‘Application for Licenses.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13789)Full Citation
- 33.
-
2016.‘Termination of License.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13790)Full Citation
- 34.
-
2016.‘National Small Arms Registry.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13791)Full Citation
- 35.
-
2020.‘Record-keeping.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q14461)Full Citation
- 36.
-
2016.‘Establishment of Public Armoury.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13792)Full Citation
- 37.
-
2020.‘Stockpile Management.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q14458)Full Citation
- 38.
-
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
- 39.
-
2015.‘Member States.’ African Union: A United and Strong Africa.Addis Ababa:African Union,10 August. (Q10548)Full Citation
- 40.
-
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
- 41.
-
1991.‘Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.’ United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.Vienna:United Nations Economic and Social Council / United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,1 January. (Q3222)Full Citation
- 42.
-
2006.‘Geneva Declaration.’ Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development.Geneva:Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development Secretariat,7 June. (Q7162)Full Citation
- 43.
-
2013.‘Towards Entry Into Force.’ Arms Trade Treaty.New York, NY:United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,2 April. (Q7226)Full Citation
- 44.
-
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
- 45.
-
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
- 46.
-
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
- 47.
-
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
- 48.
-
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
- 49.
-
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
- 50.
-
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
- 51.
-
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
- 52.
-
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
- 53.
-
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
- 54.
-
2013.‘Member States of the United Nations.’ UN.org Web Site.New York, NY:United Nations General Assembly,7 April. (Q290)Full Citation
- 55.
-
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
- 56.
-
2017.‘Relevant Targets & Indicators.’ Sustainable Development Goal 16.New York NY:United Nations Statistics Division,6 July. (Q14093)Full Citation
- 57.
-
2009.‘Summary of Disarmament Outcomes in 45 DDR Programmes.’ Small Arms Survey 2009: Shadows of War.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,9 July. (Q2941)Full Citation
- 58.
-
2014.‘Confiscation and Seizure.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q12929)Full Citation
- 59.
-
2012.‘Collection.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q12932)Full Citation
- 60.
-
2016.‘Manufacture Markings.’ Firearms and Ammunition Control Act.Monrovia:Ministry of Foreign Affairs,11 July. (Q13794)Full Citation
- 61.
-
2020.‘International Transfers. Marking at Import.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q14454)Full Citation
- 62.
-
2020.‘Marking.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q14460)Full Citation
- 63.
-
2020.‘Weapons Marking.’ Weapons and Ammunition Management Country Insight: Liberia.Geneva:United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research / UNIDIR,11 November. (Q14465)Full Citation
- 64.
-
2020.‘International Tracing.’ National Report of Liberia 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 Liberia to the United Nations,1 January. (Q14462)Full Citation
- 65.
-
2020.‘Identification & Tracing.’ Weapons and Ammunition Management Country Insight: Liberia.Geneva:United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research / UNIDIR,11 November. (Q14467)Full Citation