Find Gun Policy Facts

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

Macao — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

StockpilesGun Numbers

Civilian Guns

Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Macao ranked at No. 1741

Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Macao ranked at No.1211

ImpactsDeath and Injury

Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Macao, annual homicides by any means total

2020: 22
2019: 2
2018: 2
2017: 2
2016: 1
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 1
2012: 4
2011: 4
2010: 2
2009: 6
2008: 4
2007: 6
2006: 11
2005: 7
2004: 10
2003: 13
2000: 22
1999: 423
1998: 26

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

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

2020: 0.312
2019: 0.31
2018: 0.32
2017: 0.32
2016: 0.16
2015: 0.17
2014: 0
2013: 0.17
2012: 0.71
2011: 0.73
2010: 0.37
2009: 1.07
2008: 0.73
2007: 1.14
2006: 2.3
2005: 1.5
2004: 2.2
2003: 2.9
2000: 5.1
1999: 9.73
1998: 6.1

Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Macao, annual male homicides by any means total

2019: 22
2018: 14
2017: 0
2016: 2
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 0
2012: 3
2011: 1
2010: 2
2009: 2
2008: 1

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

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

2019: 0.652
2018: 0.33
2017: 0
2016: 0.34
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 0
2012: 1.11
2011: 0.38
2010: 0.77
2009: 0.79
2008: 0.41

Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Macao, annual female homicides by any means total

2020: 22
2019: 0
2018: 14
2017: 2
2016: 0
2015: 2
2014: 0
2013: 1
2012: 1
2011: 3
2010: 0
2009: 4
2008: 3

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

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

2020: 0.592
2019: 0
2018: 0.30
2017: 0.62
2016: 04
2015: 0.32
2014: 0.33
2013: 0.33
2012: 0.34
2011: 1.05
2010: 0
2009: 1.46
2008: 1.12

Gun Homicides

ChartIn Macao, annual firearm homicides total

2016: 02
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2016: 02
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

ProductionGun Industry

Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Macao, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence5

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Firearm Exports

In Macao, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law6

Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

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

2016: 195,8647
2015: 1,439,809
2014: 196,821
2013: 2,529,899
2012: 1,358,505

Firearm Imports

In Macao, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law6 8 9

Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

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

2015: 1,748,8477
2014: 360,748
2012: 416,639
2011: 142,67610

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Macao includes the Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation)11

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Macao are regulated by the Governor of Macao12 13

Right to Possess Firearms

In Macao, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law14 15

Restricted Firearms and Ammunition

In Macao, civilians are not allowed to possess military-style 'defence' weapons, automatic, and semi-automatic weapons16 17 18 19

Regulation of Automatic Weapons

In Macao, private possession of fully automatic weapons is restricted to police and military usage16 18 19

Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Macao, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is restricted to police and military usage16 18 19

Gun Ownership and Possession

In Macao, only licensed gun owners20 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Macao is regulated by state authorities but no specific age is provided20

Firearm Safety Training

In Macao, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required21 20 for a firearm licence

Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Macao, gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 1 year22

Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Macao are permitted to possess one defensive weapon and up to three competition weapons23

Firearm Registration

Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In Macao, licensed firearm dealers are required24 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

State-Owned Firearm Records

In Macao, State agencies are required25 to maintain records of the storage and movement of all firearms and ammunition under their control

Gun Sales and Transfers

Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Macao, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited without a valid firearms licence26

Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Macao, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful13 24

Background Checks for Dealer Gun Sales

The buyer of a firearm from a licensed gun dealer in Macao is obliged24 to pass official background checks before taking possession

Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Macao, the maximum penalty for unlawful possession of a firearm27 is a fine of up to 200,000 patacas9

MeasuresInternational Controls

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Macao 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 Macao as a Participating State

BackgroundSustainable Development Goal Profile

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.

Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Macao, annual homicides by any means total

2020: 22
2019: 2
2018: 2
2017: 2
2016: 1
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 1
2012: 4
2011: 4
2010: 2
2009: 6
2008: 4
2007: 6
2006: 11
2005: 7
2004: 10
2003: 13
2000: 22
1999: 423
1998: 26

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

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

2020: 0.312
2019: 0.31
2018: 0.32
2017: 0.32
2016: 0.16
2015: 0.17
2014: 0
2013: 0.17
2012: 0.71
2011: 0.73
2010: 0.37
2009: 1.07
2008: 0.73
2007: 1.14
2006: 2.3
2005: 1.5
2004: 2.2
2003: 2.9
2000: 5.1
1999: 9.73
1998: 6.1

Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Macao, annual male homicides by any means total

2019: 22
2018: 14
2017: 0
2016: 2
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 0
2012: 3
2011: 1
2010: 2
2009: 2
2008: 1

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

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

2019: 0.652
2018: 0.33
2017: 0
2016: 0.34
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 0
2012: 1.11
2011: 0.38
2010: 0.77
2009: 0.79
2008: 0.41

Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Macao, annual female homicides by any means total

2020: 22
2019: 0
2018: 14
2017: 2
2016: 0
2015: 2
2014: 0
2013: 1
2012: 1
2011: 3
2010: 0
2009: 4
2008: 3

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

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

2020: 0.592
2019: 0
2018: 0.30
2017: 0.62
2016: 04
2015: 0.32
2014: 0.33
2013: 0.33
2012: 0.34
2011: 1.05
2010: 0
2009: 1.46
2008: 1.12

Gun Homicides

ChartIn Macao, annual firearm homicides total

2016: 02
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2016: 02
2015: 0
2014: 0
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

Conflict Deaths

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

Global Peace Index

To see where Macao ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on Macao on the map or in the "Select Country" menu on the right of the web page


Short References

1.

GunPolicy.org.2022.‘Calculated Ranking.’ Estimating global civilian-held firearm numbers..Geneva:GunPolicy.org,30 June. (Q15876)Full Citation

2.

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

3.

UNODC.2013.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Macao.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,26 June. (Q6311)Full Citation

4.

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

5.

Macao.1999.‘Article 42: Arms Manufacture.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16199)Full Citation

6.

Macao.1999.‘Article 8: Firearm Import and Export.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16196)Full Citation

7.

United Nations.2018.‘National Customs Data on Small Arms Exports and Imports - Macao.’ UN Comtrade International Trade Statistics Database.New York NY:United Nations Statistics Division,1 January. (Q13438)Full Citation

8.

Macao.1999.‘Article 10: Temporary Imports.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16203)Full Citation

9.

Macao.1999.‘Article 37: Offences.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16210)Full Citation

10.

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

11.

Macao.1999.‘Article 1: Weapon Categories.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16213)Full Citation

12.

Macao.1999.‘Article 23: Regulatory Authorities.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16197)Full Citation

13.

Macao.1999.‘Article 11: Trade in Arms and Ammunition.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16204)Full Citation

14.

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

15.

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

16.

Macao.1999.‘Article 6: Prohibited Weapons.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16200)Full Citation

17.

Macao.1999.‘Article 7: Permitted Ammunition.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16201)Full Citation

18.

Macao.1999.‘Articles 2-5: Permitted Weapons.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16202)Full Citation

19.

Macao.1999.‘Annex: Competition Weapons.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16211)Full Citation

20.

Macao.1999.‘Article 27: Licensing.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16212)Full Citation

21.

Macao.1999.‘Article 17: Exams.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16205)Full Citation

22.

Macao.1999.‘Article 30: License Validity and Renewal.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16209)Full Citation

23.

Macao.1999.‘Article 18: Limit on Ownership.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16206)Full Citation

24.

Macao.1999.‘Article 13: Limit on Sales.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16208)Full Citation

25.

Macao.1999.‘Article 15: State Records.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16198)Full Citation

26.

Macao.1999.‘Article 20: Private Gun Transfers.’ Macau Decree-Law No 77/99/M of 8 November 1999 (Arms and Ammunition Regulation).Macao:Macao,8 November. (Q16207)Full Citation

27.

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