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Palestine — 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 Palestine is

2017: 56,0001
2007: 125,0002

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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 Palestine is

2017: 1.101
2007: 3.42

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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, Palestine ranked at No. 1303

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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, Palestine ranked at No. 1182

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Palestine are reported to have 44,4104 firearms

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Palestine are reported to have 33,0005 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Total Number of Gun Deaths

ChartIn Palestine, annual deaths resulting from firearms total

2016: 866
2015: 118
2014: 506
2013: 46
2012: 36
2011: 20
2010: 21
2009: 41
2008: 84

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Rate of All Gun Deaths per 100,000 People

ChartIn Palestine, the annual rate of all gun deaths per 100,000 population is

2016: 3.196
2015: 4.46
2014: 1.92
2013: 1.80
2012: 1.44
2011: 0.82
2010: 0.87
2009: 1.74
2008: 3.64

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Total Number of Male Gun Deaths

ChartIn Palestine, annual male deaths resulting from firearms total

2016: 776
2015: 109
2014: 48
2013: 44
2012: 33
2011: 19
2010: 21
2009: 38
2008: 81

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Total Number of Female Gun Deaths

ChartIn Palestine, annual female deaths resulting from firearms total

2016: 96
2015: 9
2014: 2
2013: 2
2012: 3
2011: 1
2010: 0
2009: 3
2008: 3

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Palestine, annual homicides by any means total

2016: 916
2015: 138
2014: 67
2013: 55
2012: 49
2011: 32
2010: 32
2009: 52
2008: 91
2005: 1457
2004: 1458
2003: 94
1999: 549
1998: 45
1997: 457
1996: 120
1995: 31

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

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

2019: 6
2018:
2017:
2016:
2015:
2014:
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2012:
2011:
2010:
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2002: 8.5510
2001:
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1999: 7.8810 7
1998: 7.06
1997: 4.45
1996: 4.76
1995: 1.27

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Palestine, annual male homicides by any means total

2016: 826
2015: 128
2014: 626
2013: 51
2012: 43
2011: 31
2010: 32
2009: 48
2008: 88

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

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

2019: 6
2018:
2017:
2016:
2015:
2014:
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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Palestine, annual female homicides by any means total

2016: 96
2015: 10
2014: 56
2013: 4
2012: 6
2011: 1
2010: 10
2009: 4
2008: 3

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

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

2018: 0.1311
2017: 0.21
2015: 0.31
2012: 0.19
2011: 0.15
2010: 0.48

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Palestine, annual firearm homicides total

2016: 866
2015: 117
2014: 506
2013: 46
2012: 36
2011: 20
2010: 21
2009: 27
2008: 21
2005: 10512
2004: 978

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2019: 6
2018:
2017:
2016:
2015:
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Proportion of Homicides Committed With a Gun

ChartIn Palestine, the percentage of homicides committed with a firearm is reported to be

2011: 78%13
2005: 72%
2004: 66.9%7

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Male Gun Homicide Victims

ChartIn Palestine, annual male firearm homicides total

2016: 776
2015: 108
2014: 48
2013: 44
2012: 33
2011: 19
2010: 21
2009: 25
2008: 20

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Female Gun Homicide Victims

ChartIn Palestine, annual female firearm homicides total

2016: 96
2015: 9
2014: 2
2013: 2
2012: 3
2011: 1
2010: 0
2009: 2
2008: 1

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Suicides (any method)

ChartIn Palestine, annual suicides by any means total

2016: 96
2015: 12
2014: 126
2013: 6
2012: 4
2011: 6
2010: 2
2009: 2
2008: 5

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

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

2019: 6
2018:
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Male Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Palestine, annual male suicides by any means total

2016: 66
2015: 9
2014: 96
2013: 5
2012: 3
2011: 4
2010: 2
2009: 2
2008: 4

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Female Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Palestine, annual female suicides by any means total

2016: 36
2015: 3
2014: 36
2013: 1
2012: 1
2011: 2
2010: 0
2008: 1

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

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

2016: 6
2015:
2014:
2013:
2012:
2011:
2008:

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Gun Suicides

ChartIn Palestine, annual firearm suicides total

2014: 06
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Rate of Gun Suicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Palestine, the annual rate of firearm suicide per 100,000 population is

2014: 06
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Male Gun Suicide Victims

ChartIn Palestine, annual male firearm suicides total

2014: 06
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Female Gun Suicide Victims

ChartIn Palestine, annual female firearm suicides total

2014: 06
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Unintentional Gun Deaths

ChartIn Palestine, annual unintentional shooting deaths total

2014: 06
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 People

ChartIn Palestine, the annual rate of unintentional shooting death per 100,000 population is

2014: 06
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Unintentional Male Gun Deaths

ChartIn Palestine, annual unintentional male shooting deaths total

2014: 06
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Unintentional Female Gun Deaths

ChartIn Palestine, annual unintentional female shooting deaths total

2014: 06
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

ChartIn Palestine, annual shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

2014: 06
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Male Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

ChartIn Palestine, annual male shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

2014: 06
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

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Female Gun Deaths from Undetermined Cause

ChartIn Palestine, annual female shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total

2014: 06
2013: 0
2012: 0
2011: 0
2010: 0

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Firearm Exports

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Firearm Exports (Number)

ChartThe annual number of firearms exported from Palestine is reported by manufacturers to be

2018: 1814
2017: 0
2015: 75

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Palestine is reported by Customs to be US$015 (2005)

Firearm Imports

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Firearm Imports (Number)

ChartThe annual number of firearms imported to Palestine is reported to be

2018: 014
2017: 4
2015: 2

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Palestine is reported by Customs to be US$139,84015 (2008)

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

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Law Regulates Civilian Access to Firearms

In Palestine, civilian possession of guns is regulated by law13

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Palestine, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law16 17

Restricted Firearms and Ammunition

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Law Regulates Automatic Weapons

In Palestine, civilian possession of automatic weapons is regulated by law13

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Law Regulates Handguns

In Palestine, civilian possession of handguns is not regulated by law13

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Law Regulates Long Guns

In Palestine, civilian possession of rifles and shotguns is not regulated by law13

Gun Ownership and Possession

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Palestine must pass a background check which considers undefined13 records

Carrying Guns

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Law Regulates Firearms in Public

In Palestine, carrying a gun in a public place is regulated by law13

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

League of Arab States

As a member of the League of Arab States, Palestine adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200218

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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 signed19 by Palestine.

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Palestine 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 Aspects20

UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided21 to Palestine by other UN Member States

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Palestine is a Permanent Observer of the United Nations22

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list23 Palestine 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 16,24 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 Palestine, annual homicides by any means total

2016: 916
2015: 138
2014: 67
2013: 55
2012: 49
2011: 32
2010: 32
2009: 52
2008: 91
2005: 1457
2004: 1458
2003: 94
1999: 549
1998: 45
1997: 457
1996: 120
1995: 31

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

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

2019: 6
2018:
2017:
2016:
2015:
2014:
2013:
2012:
2011:
2010:
2009:
2008:
2007:
2006:
2005:
2004:
2003:
2002: 8.5510
2001:
2000:
1999: 7.8810 7
1998: 7.06
1997: 4.45
1996: 4.76
1995: 1.27

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Palestine, annual male homicides by any means total

2016: 826
2015: 128
2014: 626
2013: 51
2012: 43
2011: 31
2010: 32
2009: 48
2008: 88

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

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

2019: 6
2018:
2017:
2016:
2015:
2014:
2013:
2012:
2011:
2010:
2009:
2008:
2007:
2006:
2005:
2004:
2003:
2001:
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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Palestine, annual female homicides by any means total

2016: 96
2015: 10
2014: 56
2013: 4
2012: 6
2011: 1
2010: 10
2009: 4
2008: 3

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

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

2018: 0.1311
2017: 0.21
2015: 0.31
2012: 0.19
2011: 0.15
2010: 0.48

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Palestine, annual firearm homicides total

2016: 866
2015: 117
2014: 506
2013: 46
2012: 36
2011: 20
2010: 21
2009: 27
2008: 21
2005: 10512
2004: 978

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

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

2019: 6
2018:
2017:
2016:
2015:
2014:
2013:
2012:
2011:
2010:
2009:
2008:
2007:
2006:
2005:
2004:
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Proportion of Homicides Committed With a Gun

ChartIn Palestine, the percentage of homicides committed with a firearm is reported to be

2011: 78%13
2005: 72%
2004: 66.9%7

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Male Gun Homicide Victims

ChartIn Palestine, annual male firearm homicides total

2016: 776
2015: 108
2014: 48
2013: 44
2012: 33
2011: 19
2010: 21
2009: 25
2008: 20

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Female Gun Homicide Victims

ChartIn Palestine, annual female firearm homicides total

2016: 96
2015: 9
2014: 2
2013: 2
2012: 3
2011: 1
2010: 0
2009: 2
2008: 1

Link
Global Peace Index

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

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.2013.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Palestine.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,26 June. (Q6284)Full Citation

8.

UNODC.2006.‘Reported Overall Homicide Numbers and Rates per 100,000 Population for 64 Countries, 2003-04.’ Ninth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2003 - 2004).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q9)Full Citation

9.

UNODC.2004.‘Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed.’ Seventh United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (1998-2000).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,19 March. (Q91)Full Citation

10.

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

11.

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

12.

UNODC.2008.‘Recorded Intentional Homicide, Completed.’ Tenth United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2005-2006).Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,10 December. (Q10)Full Citation

13.

Butchart, Alexander, Christopher Mikton and Etienne Krug.2014.‘Country Profile: West Bank and Gaza Strip.’ 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. (Q9480)Full Citation

14.

Arms Trade Treaty Secretariat.2017.‘National Reports on Small Arms Exports and Imports.’ Arms Trade Treaty Annual Report.Geneva:Arms Trade Treaty Secretariat,1 January. (Q13951)Full Citation

15.

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

16.

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

17.

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

18.

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

19.

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

20.

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

21.

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

22.

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

23.

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

24.

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