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Niue — 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 Niue is

2002: 3971

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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 Niue is

2002: 19.851

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Number of Registered Firearms

The number of registered guns in Niue is reported to be

2002: 3971

Government Guns

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Routine Arming of Police

In Niue, police officers on routine patrol do not carry a firearm2 3

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Niue are reported to have 54 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

In Niue, annual homicides by any means total

2012: 05

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

In Niue, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2012: 3.075

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

In Niue, annual male homicides by any means total

2012: 06

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

In Niue, annual female homicides by any means total

2012: 06

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Gun Homicides

In Niue, annual firearm homicides total

1997-2001: 37

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Firearm Exports

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

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

12000:
2021: 8
2017: 14,000

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Firearm Imports

In Niue, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law9

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

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

2021: 1,00010
2020: 1,000
2018: 38,000
2016: 1,000
2015: 15,000
2014: 23,000
2013: 18,000
2012: 26,000
2011: 102,000
2010: 27,000
2009: 90,000
2008: 10,000
2007: 9,000
2005: 2,000
2002: 5,000

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Smuggling Guns and Ammunition

Reports suggest that the level of firearm and ammunition smuggling in Niue is low11

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Niue, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law12 13

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Niue do not include12 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 Niue is categorised as restrictive14

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Niue includes the Arms Act 197515

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Niue are regulated by the Minister of Police, and the Arms Officer of the Police Department16 17 18 19

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Niue, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law20 21 12

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Restricted Firearms and Ammunition

In Niue, civilians are not allowed to possess any pistol, machine gun, rifle, air-gun, or any class of weapon excluding shotguns22 23

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Regulation of Automatic Weapons

In Niue, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited22

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Niue, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is prohibited22

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Regulation of Handguns

In Niue, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited22

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Gun Ownership and Possession

In Niue, only licensed gun owners17 19 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Possession

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in Niue are required to establish a genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example pest and animal control24 25

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Niue is 18 years26

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Niue must pass a background check which considers various18 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Niue, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required12

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Niue does not stipulate12 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Niue, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required12 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Niue, gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every one year27

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Licensing Records

In Niue, authorities maintain a record19 of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition

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Limit on Number of Guns

Licensed firearm owners in Niue are permitted to possess any number of shotguns12

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

Licensed firearm owners in Niue are permitted to possess any quantity of shotgun ammunition12

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Niue, the law requires19 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

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Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In Niue, licensed firearm dealers are not required12 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Niue, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited without a permit17

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Niue, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is not unlawful17 12

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Waiting Period for Gun Possession

In Niue, the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is undetermined12

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Regulation of Gun Shows

In Niue, gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated12 in law

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Niue do not include12 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Dealer

Firearm regulations in Niue do not include12 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers

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Firearm and Ammunition Transport Regulations

Regulations in Niue do not include12 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit

Carrying Guns

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Carrying Guns Openly in Public

In Niue, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed, subject to a valid permit24

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Carrying Hidden Handguns in Public

In Niue, carrying a concealed firearm in a public place is prohibited22 23

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Pacific Islands Forum

As a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Niue adopted the March, 2000 Nadi Framework agreement, which aims to harmonise small arms-related legislation across Oceania. In August 2003, the Nadi Framework’s draft model Weapons Control Bill was unanimously accepted for consideration by all 16 member states of the Pacific Islands Forum28 29

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Arms Trade Treaty

The Arms Trade Treaty has been acceded to30 31 by Niue

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Niue is not a Member State of the United Nations32

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list33 Niue 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 16,34 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)

In Niue, annual homicides by any means total

2012: 05

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

In Niue, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2012: 3.075

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

In Niue, annual male homicides by any means total

2012: 06

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

In Niue, annual female homicides by any means total

2012: 06

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Gun Homicides

In Niue, annual firearm homicides total

1997-2001: 37

Disarmament

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Destruction and Disposal Policy

In Niue, it is not state policy35 36 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 Niue, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is not required by law37

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Firearm Tracing

In Niue, state authorities do not carry out12 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Record of Firearms and Ammunition

In Niue, the ballistic characteristics of each civilian firearm and its ammunition are not originally12 recorded in a register

Link
Global Peace Index

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

Short References

1.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Civilian Firearm Ownership in Pacific Nations, 2002.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,31 March. (Q388)Full Citation

2.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Stockpiles and Trafficking in the Pacific: Police Inventories.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,31 March. (Q145)Full Citation

3.

CNN. 2017. ‘The 19 Countries That Do Not Routinely Arm Their Police Officers.’ 19 July. (N915) Full Citation

4.

Karp, Aaron.2003.‘Fewer Blanks: Global Firearm Stockpiles: Firearms of the Pacific.’ Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q391)Full Citation

5.

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

6.

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

7.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Homicide, Robbery, and Assault in Pacific States, 1997-2001.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,31 March. (Q392)Full Citation

8.

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

9.

Niue.1975.‘Permits for Import of Firearms.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q404)Full Citation

10.

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

11.

PacNews. 2001. ‘Government to Discuss Gun Control.’ PacNews. 23 August. (N39) Full Citation

12.

Niue.1975.‘Short Title.’ Arms Act (1975), Reviewed 2006.Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q4909)Full Citation

13.

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

14.

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

15.

Niue.1975.‘Short Title.’ Arms Act (1975), Reviewed 2006.Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q4908)Full Citation

16.

Niue.1975.‘Regulations.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q400)Full Citation

17.

Niue.1975.‘Permits for Possession.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q395)Full Citation

18.

Niue.1975.‘Registration May be Refused or Existing Certificate Revoked.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q397)Full Citation

19.

Niue.1975.‘Registration.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q401)Full Citation

20.

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

21.

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

22.

Niue.1975.‘Interpretation.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q399)Full Citation

23.

Niue.1975.‘Possession of Unlawful Weapon.’ Arms Act (1975), Reviewed 2006.Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q4910)Full Citation

24.

Niue.1975.‘Carriage or Possession of Arms.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q393)Full Citation

25.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Genuine Reason: A Snapshot of Pacific Definitions - Niue.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,31 March. (Q394)Full Citation

26.

Niue.1975.‘Sale to and Possession by Young Persons.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q396)Full Citation

27.

Niue.1975.‘Registration.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q398)Full Citation

28.

SPCPC/OCO.2000.‘Towards a Common Approach to Weapons Control: The 'Nadi Framework'.’ South Pacific Chiefs of Police Conference (SPCPC) and Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO).Nadi, Fiji:Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat,10 March. (Q576)Full Citation

29.

Baker, Jean.2000.‘Weapons Control Bill: Explanatory Notes.’ Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.Suva, Fiji:Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat,10 March. (Q577)Full Citation

30.

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

31.

Arms Trade Treaty.2022.‘States Parties to the ATT.’ Table: States Parties to the ATT (in alphabetical order) as of 25 March 2022.New York NY:Arms Trade Treaty,25 March. (Q15848)Full Citation

32.

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

33.

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

34.

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

35.

Niue.1975.‘Forfeitures.’ Arms Act (1975), Reviewed 2006.Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q4911)Full Citation

36.

Niue.1975.‘Authorising Disposal of Firearms.’ Arms Act (1975), Reviewed 2006.Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q4912)Full Citation

37.

Niue.1975.‘Regulations.’ Arms Act (1975).Alofi:Legislative Assembly,4 February. (Q402)Full Citation