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Myanmar — 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 Myanmar is

2017: 877,0001
2005: 2,000,0002

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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 Myanmar is

2017: 1.61
2005: 4.02

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Myanmar ranked at No. 633

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Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World Ranking

In a comparison of the rate of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Myanmar ranked at No.1583

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Myanmar are reported to have 788,9004 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Myanmar are reported to have 76,0005 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Myanmar, annual homicides by any means total

2016: 2,1546
2015: 2,158
2010: 2,265
2000: 2,201

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

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

2016: 3.946
2015: 3.99
2010: 4.41
2000: 4.72

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Myanmar, annual male homicides by any means total

2016: 1,4956
2015: 1,501
2010: 1,574
2000: 1,436

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

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

2016: 5.556
2015: 5.63
2010: 6.21
2000: 6.21

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Myanmar, annual female homicides by any means total

2016: 6596
2015: 657
2010: 691
2000: 765

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

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

2016: 2.386
2015: 2.39
2010: 2.65
2000: 3.25

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Myanmar, annual firearm homicides total

2002: 277
2001: 40

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2002: 0.067
2001: 0.08

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Proportion of Homicides Committed With a Gun

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

2012: 2%8

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Suicides (any method)

ChartIn Myanmar, annual suicides by any means total

2016: 4,1146
2015: 3,981
2010: 3,653
2000: 3,363

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

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

2016: 7.536
2015: 7.36
2010: 7.10
2000: 7.21

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Male Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Myanmar, annual male suicides by any means total

2016: 1,5336
2015: 1,492
2010: 1,360
2000: 947

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

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

2016: 5.706
2015: 5.60
2010: 5.37
2000: 4.09

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Female Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Myanmar, annual female suicides by any means total

2016: 2,5816
2015: 2,489
2010: 2,293
2000: 2,416

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

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

2016: 9.326
2015: 9.07
2010: 8.79
2000: 10.28

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Myanmar, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is permitted only if the maker holds a valid licence9 10 11

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Home-made Guns

In Myanmar, the prevalence of illicit craft, or 'home-made' firearm manufacture is reported to be moderate12

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Firearm Exports

In Myanmar, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law13

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

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

2021: 10,00014
2020: 23,000

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Firearm Imports

In Myanmar, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law13

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

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

2013: 1,00015
2011: 73,06416

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Myanmar is high17 18 19 9 20

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Myanmar, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law21

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Myanmar do not include21 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use

MeasuresGun Regulation

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Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in Myanmar is categorised as restrictive22

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Myanmar includes the Arms Act 1878,23 the Arms Act (Temporary Amendment) 1951,24 the Arms Emergency Punishment Temporary Act 1949,25 and the Regulation on Holding Firearms 197726

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Myanmar are regulated by the President of Myanmar27

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Myanmar, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law28 29 21

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Restricted Firearms and Ammunition

In Myanmar, civilians are not allowed to possess any firearms30 25 31 32

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Gun Ownership and Possession

In Myanmar, no civilian (except for ethnic Chin hunters)30 25 31 32 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Myanmar, the maximum penalty for unlawful possession of a firearm33 is three to seven years in prison34

MeasuresInternational Controls

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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 signed35 by Myanmar.

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Arms Trade Treaty

The Arms Trade Treaty has not been signed36 by Myanmar

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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 not been signed37 by Myanmar

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Myanmar 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 Aspects38

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Myanmar has yet to submit a national report39 40 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

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

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Myanmar, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated41 40

UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

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

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United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Myanmar 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, Myanmar has been a Member State of the United Nations since 194843

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list44 Myanmar 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.

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Myanmar, annual homicides by any means total

2016: 2,1546
2015: 2,158
2010: 2,265
2000: 2,201

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

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

2016: 3.946
2015: 3.99
2010: 4.41
2000: 4.72

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Myanmar, annual male homicides by any means total

2016: 1,4956
2015: 1,501
2010: 1,574
2000: 1,436

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

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

2016: 5.556
2015: 5.63
2010: 6.21
2000: 6.21

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Myanmar, annual female homicides by any means total

2016: 6596
2015: 657
2010: 691
2000: 765

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

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

2016: 2.386
2015: 2.39
2010: 2.65
2000: 3.25

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Myanmar, annual firearm homicides total

2002: 277
2001: 40

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2002: 0.067
2001: 0.08

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Proportion of Homicides Committed With a Gun

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

2012: 2%8

Link
Conflict Deaths

For a profile of conflict in Myanmar, 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 Myanmar, the number of firearms voluntarily surrendered, bought back or seized by authorities is reported to be

2020: 32646
2018: 119
2017: 22346
2016: 206

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Myanmar, it is not state policy47 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market

Marking and Tracing

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Firearm Marking

In Myanmar, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is not required by law21

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Firearm Tracing

In Myanmar, state authorities do not carry out21 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Record of Firearms and Ammunition

In Myanmar, the ballistic characteristics of each civilian firearm and its ammunition are not originally21 recorded in a register

Link
Global Peace Index

To see where Myanmar ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on Myanmar 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 firearm 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.

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

7.

UNODC.2005.‘Recorded Homicide and Firearm Homicide in 53 Countries, Completed or Attempted.’ Eighth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2001-2002).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,15 April. (Q1077)Full Citation

8.

Butchart, Alexander, Christopher Mikton and Etienne Krug.2014.‘Country Profile: Myanmar.’ 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. (Q9427)Full Citation

9.

Capie, David.2002.‘ASEAN country studies -- Myanmar.’ Small Arms Production and Transfers in South East Asia.Canberra:Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University,1 January. (Q1361)Full Citation

10.

Batchelor, Peter.2001.‘Small Arms, Big Business: Products and Producers.’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q1362)Full Citation

11.

Myanmar.1878.‘Article 5.’ Arms Act (1878) [India Act XI, 1878] (1st October 1878).Naypyidaw:People's Assembly,1 October. (Q1360)Full Citation

12.

Small Arms Survey.2001.‘Illicit Production - South East Asia.’ Small Arms Survey 2001: Profiling the Problem.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q1062)Full Citation

13.

Myanmar.1878.‘Article 6.’ Arms Act (1878) [India Act XI, 1878] (1st October 1878).Naypyidaw:People's Assembly,1 October. (Q1357)Full Citation

14.

International Trade Centre (ITC).2022.‘Exported values (2002-2021).’ Trade Map.Geneva:International Trade Centre (ITC),31 August. (Q16040)Full Citation

15.

International Trade Centre (ITC).2022.‘Imported values (2002-2021).’ Trade Map.Geneva:International Trade Centre (ITC),31 August. (Q16041)Full Citation

16.

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

17.

Anthony Davis. 2020. ‘China's Loose Arms Still Fuel Myanmar's Civil Wars.’ Asia Times. 28 January. (N746) Full Citation

18.

Aung Naing Oo. 2014. ‘Arms Smuggling and the Cost of Waging War.’ Mizzima. 4 May. (N725) Full Citation

19.

Ven Rathavong. 2017. ‘Cambodia, Thailand Investigate Arms Smuggling.’ Khmer Times. 23 June. (N714) Full Citation

20.

Bedeski, Robert, Andrew Andersen and Santo Darmosumarto.1998.‘Major Recipients of Small Arms in the Area.’ Small Arms Trade and Proliferation in Southeast Asia.Vancouver:Institute of International Relations, University of British Columbia,1 September. (Q1366)Full Citation

21.

Myanmar.1878.‘Article 1.’ Arms Act (1878) [India Act XI, 1878] (1st October 1878).Naypyidaw:People's Assembly,1 October. (Q5151)Full Citation

22.

Newton, George D and Franklin E Zimring.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

23.

Myanmar.1878.‘Article 1.’ Arms Act (1878) [India Act XI, 1878] (1st October 1878).Naypyidaw:People's Assembly,1 October. (Q5150)Full Citation

24.

Myanmar.1951.‘Penalty for Treason with Firearms.’ Arms (Temporary Amendment) Act 1951.Naypyidaw:People's Assembly,27 October. (Q1354)Full Citation

25.

The Irrawaddy. 2017. ‘Haul of Firearms in U Phyo Ko Ko Tint San Case.’ 21 October. (N726) Full Citation

26.

Cukier, Wendy.2005.‘Military Assault Weapon Prohibitions by Country - Myanmar.’ The Feasibility of Increased Restrictions on the Civilian Possession of Military Assault Weapons at the Global Level.Waterloo, ON:Project Ploughshares: Small Arms Working Group of the Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee,1 April. (Q1503)Full Citation

27.

Myanmar.1878.‘Article 17.’ Arms Act (1878) [India Act XI, 1878] (1st October 1878).Naypyidaw:People's Assembly,1 October. (Q5155)Full Citation

28.

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

29.

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

30.

John Buchanan.2016.‘Introduction.’ Militias in Myanmar.Washington DC:Asia Foundation,1 July. (Q13502)Full Citation

31.

Wai Moe, Mike Ives and Saw Nang. 2017. ‘Brazen Killing of Myanmar Lawyer Came After He Sparred With Military.’ New York Times. 2 February. (N727) Full Citation

32.

Joshua Carroll. 2016. ‘Bullets and Bibles: Pastor Defies Chin State's Macho Gun Culture.’ Frontier Myanmar. 31 May. (N728) Full Citation

33.

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

34.

Myanmar.1878.‘Article 19.’ Arms Act (1878) [India Act XI, 1878] (1st October 1878).Naypyidaw:People's Assembly,1 October. (Q1358)Full Citation

35.

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

36.

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

37.

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

38.

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

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.

UNODC.2020.‘Arms Seized, Found, and Surrendered, by Type.’ Illicit Arms Flows Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,7 January. (Q14056)Full Citation

47.

Myanmar.1878.‘Article 16.’ Arms Act (1878) [India Act XI, 1878] (1st October 1878).Naypyidaw:People's Assembly,1 October. (Q5154)Full Citation