Qatar — 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 Firearms - World RankingIn a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Qatar ranked at No. 944 Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World RankingIn a comparison of the rate of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Qatar ranked at No.344 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 InjuryTotal Number of Gun DeathsBlue-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.Homicides (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.ChartIn Qatar, annual homicides by any means total 2020: 129 2019: 11 2018: 10 2017: 12 2016: 12 2015: 6 2014: 9 2013: 9 2012: 7 2011: 4 2010: 4 2009: 8 2008: 12 2007: 9 2006: 5 2005: 6 2004: 5 2001: 5 2000: 1 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)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.ChartIn Qatar, annual firearm homicides total 2014: 17 2013: 4 2012: 0 2011: 1 2010: 0 2007: 2 2005: 1 2004: 111 2003: 2 2001: 1 1999: 112 Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleProportion of Homicides Committed With a GunMale Gun Homicide VictimsRate of Male Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleFemale Gun Homicide VictimsSuicides (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)Gun SuicidesBlue-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 Suicide per 100,000 PeopleMale Gun Suicide VictimsRate of Male Gun Suicide per 100,000 PeopleFemale Gun Suicide VictimsUnintentional Gun DeathsBlue-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.ChartIn Qatar, annual unintentional shooting deaths total 2017: 27 2016: 3 2014: 0 2013: 0 2012: 28 2011: 2 2010: 6 2008: 2 2007: 6 2005: 1 2001: 3 Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 PeopleUnintentional Male Gun DeathsRate of Unintentional Male Gun Death per 100,000 PeopleUnintentional Female Gun DeathsGun Deaths from Undetermined CauseBlue-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.ChartIn Qatar, annual shooting deaths in which the cause remains undecided total 2014: 17 2013: 0 2012: 0 2011: 0 2010: 0 Rate of Gun Death from Undetermined Cause per 100,000 PeopleMale Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseRate of Male Gun Death from Undetermined Cause per 100,000 PeopleFemale Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseLegal Intervention 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 Legal Intervention Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleMale Legal Intervention Gun HomicidesRate of Male Legal Intervention Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleIn Qatar, the annual rate of male legal-intervention gun homicide per 100,000 population is 2016: 0.067 TransfersGun Trade and TraffickingFirearm ExportsSmall Arms Exports (US$) - CustomsFirearm ImportsSmall Arms Imports (US$) - CustomsChartThe annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Qatar is reported by Customs to be US$ 2021: 35,571,00023 2020: 2,832,000 2019: 2,538,000 2018: 1,134,000 2017: 90,248,000 2016: 20,000,00024 2015: 11,656,000 2014: 5,022,000 2013: 7,725,000 2012: 2,659,000 2011: 3,779,000 2010: 6,742,000 2009: 3,825,000 2008: 7,570,000 2007: 3,433,000 2006: 737,000 2005: 281,000 2004: 65,000 2002: 10,000 MeasuresGun RegulationFirearm Regulation - Guiding PolicyLaw Regulates Civilian Access to FirearmsIn Qatar, civilian possession of guns is regulated by law25 Firearm LawGuiding gun control legislation in Qatar includes the Law No 14 of 1999 Concerning Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives26 Firearm Regulation AuthorityGuns in Qatar are regulated by the Minister of Interior27 Gun Ownership and PossessionIn Qatar, only licensed gun owners30 14 31 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition Minimum Age for Firearm PossessionThe minimum age for gun ownership in Qatar is 21 years32 Gun Owner Background ChecksAn applicant for a firearm licence in Qatar must pass a background check which considers behavioural and criminal32 records Gun Owner Licensing PeriodIn Qatar, gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every 5 years33 Limit on Number of GunsLicensed firearm owners in Qatar are permitted to possess 4 firearms34 Firearm RegistrationGun Dealer Record KeepingStorage and Transport of Guns and AmmunitionFirearm and Ammunition Transport RegulationsRegulations in Qatar include41 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit MeasuresInternational ControlsRegional AgreementsLeague of Arab StatesAs a member of the League of Arab States, Qatar adopted the Arab Model Law on Weapons, Ammunitions, Explosives and Hazardous Material in January 200246 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, lists47 Qatar 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 200648 by Qatar. Arms Trade TreatyThe Arms Trade Treaty has not been signed49 by Qatar United Nations Firearms ProtocolThe United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition has not been signed50 by Qatar United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoAUNPoA CommitmentOn 21 July 2001, Qatar 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 Aspects51 UNPoA Implementation Monitor ScoreUNPoA National ReportingUNPoA National Point of ContactIn Qatar, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated19 UNPoA National Coordinating BodyIn Qatar, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated19 UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and SupportIn National Reports of Qatar submitted to the UN from 2001 to 2010, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities was not apparent19 UNPoA International Assistance – DonorFunds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated19 by Qatar to other UN Member States United Nations Small Arms RegisterAccording to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Qatar has not declared57 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports. United Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, Qatar has been a Member State of the United Nations since 197158 Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list59 Qatar 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 16,60 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 Qatar, annual homicides by any means total 2020: 129 2019: 11 2018: 10 2017: 12 2016: 12 2015: 6 2014: 9 2013: 9 2012: 7 2011: 4 2010: 4 2009: 8 2008: 12 2007: 9 2006: 5 2005: 6 2004: 5 2001: 5 2000: 1 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)Gun HomicidesChartIn Qatar, annual firearm homicides total 2014: 17 2013: 4 2012: 0 2011: 1 2010: 0 2007: 2 2005: 1 2004: 111 2003: 2 2001: 1 1999: 112 Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleProportion of Homicides Committed With a GunMale Gun Homicide VictimsRate of Male Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleFemale Gun Homicide VictimsConflict DeathsFor a profile of conflict in Qatar, select the Link icon to open an external web page from the UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia at Uppsala University Marking and TracingFirearm MarkingIn Qatar, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is not required by law62 Global Peace IndexTo see where Qatar ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on Qatar on the map or in the "Select Country" menu on the right of the web page |
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