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Sao Tome & Principe — 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 Sao Tome & Principe is

2017: 7,0001

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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 Sao Tome & Principe is

2017: 3.401

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Sao Tome & Principe ranked at No. 1842

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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, Sao Tome & Principe ranked at No.1272

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Estimated Number of Unregistered and Illicit Firearms

Unregistered and unlawfully held guns cannot be counted,3 but in Sao Tome & Principe there are estimated to be

2017: 1,1674 1

Government Guns

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Number of Military Firearms

The defence forces of Sao Tome & Principe are reported to have 5705 firearms

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Routine Arming of Police

In Sao Tome & Principe, police officers on routine patrol carry a firearm6

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Sao Tome & Principe are reported to have 2007 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, annual homicides by any means total

2016: 148
2015: 14
2013: 109
2011: 610 11
2010: 13
2009: 5
2008: 14
2007: 4
2006: 4
2000: 12

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

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 7.098
2015: 7.22
2013: 5.39
2011: 3.3412
2010: 7.39
2009: 2.91
2008: 8.31
2007: 2.43
2006: 2.510 11 13
2005: 0.7013
2004: 5.40
2002: 4.60
2000: 8.53

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, annual male homicides by any means total

2016: 118
2015: 11
2011: 014
2010: 0
2000: 9

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

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the annual rate of male homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 11.168
2015: 11.36
2011: 5.1914
2010: 11.41
2000: 12.87

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, annual female homicides by any means total

2016: 38
2015: 3
2011: 114
2010: 3
2000: 3

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

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the annual rate of female homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 3.038
2015: 3.09
2011: 1.5414
2010: 3.40
2000: 4.24

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, annual firearm homicides total

2011: 610
2010: 6
2009: 5
2008: 14
2007: 4
2006: 4

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2011: 3.3415
2010: 3.41
2009: 2.91
2008: 8.31
2007: 2.43
2006: 2.48

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Proportion of Homicides Committed With a Gun

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the percentage of homicides committed with a firearm is reported to be

2013: 10%9
2011: 100%10
2010: 100%
2009: 100%
2008: 100%
2007: 100%
2006: 100%

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Suicides (any method)

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, annual suicides by any means total

2016: 58
2015: 4
2010: 4
2000: 3

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

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the annual rate of suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 2.538
2015: 2.06
2010: 2.28
2000: 2.13

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Male Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, annual male suicides by any means total

2016: 38
2015: 3
2010: 2
2000: 2

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

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the annual rate of male suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 3.048
2015: 3.10
2010: 2.28
2000: 2.86

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Female Suicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, annual female suicides by any means total

2016: 28
2015: 2
2010: 1
2000: 1

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

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the annual rate of female suicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 2.028
2015: 2.06
2010: 1.13
2000: 1.41

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Firearm Exports

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Sao Tome & Principe is reported by Customs to be US$13,36416 (2010)

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Firearm Imports

In Sao Tome & Principe, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law17

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Sao Tome & Principe is reported by Customs to be US$14,40316 (2011)

MeasuresGun Regulation

Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

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Law Regulates Civilian Access to Firearms

In Sao Tome & Principe, civilian possession of guns is regulated by law9

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Sao Tome & Principe includes the Homeland Security Act, Law No. 16/201718

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Sao Tome & Principe, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law19 20

Restricted Firearms and Ammunition

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Law Regulates Automatic Weapons

In Sao Tome & Principe, civilian possession of automatic weapons is regulated by law9

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Law Regulates Handguns

In Sao Tome & Principe, civilian possession of handguns is regulated by law9

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Law Regulates Long Guns

In Sao Tome & Principe, civilian possession of rifles and shotguns is regulated by law9

Gun Ownership and Possession

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Sao Tome & Principe must pass a background check which considers undefined9 records

Carrying Guns

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Law Regulates Firearms in Public

In Sao Tome & Principe, carrying a gun in a public place is regulated by law9

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

African Union

In June 2006, as a member of the African Union, Sao Tome & Principe adopted an African Common Position to take to the Conference to Review the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), held in June 200621 22

United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa

In November 2010, as a member of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC), Sao Tome & Principe adopted the Central Africa Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition, Parts and Components that can be used for their Manufacture, Repair and Assembly, known as the ‘Kinshasa Convention. A legally binding multilateral treaty for which UNSAC is depository, the Kinshasa Convention has since been signed, but not yet ratified23 24 by Sao Tome & Principe

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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 signed25 by Sao Tome & Principe.

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Arms Trade Treaty

The Arms Trade Treaty has been signed and ratified26 27 by Sao Tome & Principe

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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 been acceded to28 by Sao Tome & Principe

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Sao Tome & Principe 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 Aspects29

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UNPoA Implementation Monitor Score

In its UN small arms Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (PoAIM Phase 1), the Small Arms Survey scored Sao Tome & Principe against its commitments to the PoA, then ranked it at No. 14130 31 32 33 among 159 Member States

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Sao Tome & Principe has submitted one or more national reports34 17 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Sao Tome & Principe, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated17

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Sao Tome & Principe submitted to the UN from 2001 to 2010, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities was not apparent17

UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated17 by Sao Tome & Principe to other UN Member States

UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided17 to Sao Tome & Principe by other UN Member States

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United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Sao Tome & Principe has not declared35 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Sao Tome & Principe has been a Member State of the United Nations since 197536

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list37 Sao Tome & Principe 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 16,38 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 Sao Tome & Principe, annual homicides by any means total

2016: 148
2015: 14
2013: 109
2011: 610 11
2010: 13
2009: 5
2008: 14
2007: 4
2006: 4
2000: 12

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

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the annual rate of homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 7.098
2015: 7.22
2013: 5.39
2011: 3.3412
2010: 7.39
2009: 2.91
2008: 8.31
2007: 2.43
2006: 2.510 11 13
2005: 0.7013
2004: 5.40
2002: 4.60
2000: 8.53

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Male Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, annual male homicides by any means total

2016: 118
2015: 11
2011: 014
2010: 0
2000: 9

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

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the annual rate of male homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 11.168
2015: 11.36
2011: 5.1914
2010: 11.41
2000: 12.87

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Female Homicide Victims (any method)

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, annual female homicides by any means total

2016: 38
2015: 3
2011: 114
2010: 3
2000: 3

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

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the annual rate of female homicide by any means per 100,000 population is

2016: 3.038
2015: 3.09
2011: 1.5414
2010: 3.40
2000: 4.24

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Gun Homicides

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, annual firearm homicides total

2011: 610
2010: 6
2009: 5
2008: 14
2007: 4
2006: 4

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Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 People

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the annual rate of firearm homicide per 100,000 population is

2011: 3.3415
2010: 3.41
2009: 2.91
2008: 8.31
2007: 2.43
2006: 2.48

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Proportion of Homicides Committed With a Gun

ChartIn Sao Tome & Principe, the percentage of homicides committed with a firearm is reported to be

2013: 10%9
2011: 100%10
2010: 100%
2009: 100%
2008: 100%
2007: 100%
2006: 100%

Link
Global Peace Index

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

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

3.

GunPolicy.org. 2019. ‘Estimated Number of Illicit Firearms.’ Definition and Selection Criteria.
Sydney School of Public Health, 24 January. (G14) Full Citation

4.

GunPolicy.org. 2016. ‘Number of Privately Owned Firearms.’ Definition and Selection Criteria.
Sydney School of Public Health, 12 December. (G1) Full Citation

5.

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

6.

São Tomé & Príncipe.2017.‘Article 32: Use of Force by Police.’ São Tomé & Príncipe Homeland Security Act, Law No. 16/2017.São Tomé:São Tomé & Príncipe,6 October. (Q16185)Full Citation

7.

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

8.

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

9.

Butchart, Alexander, Christopher Mikton and Etienne Krug.2014.‘Country Profile: Sao Tome and Principe.’ 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. (Q9450)Full Citation

10.

UNODC.2014.‘Homicides and Gun Homicides in Sao Tome & Principe.’ Global Study on Homicide 2013: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),10 April. (Q9961)Full Citation

11.

UNODC.2013.‘Homicide in 207 Countries - Sao Tome and Principe.’ Global Study on Homicide 2011: Trends, Context, Data.Vienna:United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,26 June. (Q6400)Full Citation

12.

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

13.

Petrini, Benjamin.2011.‘Sub-Saharan 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. (Q3812)Full Citation

14.

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

15.

GunPolicy.org.2015.‘Calculated Rates - Sao Tome & Principe.’ Historical Population Data - USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,1 June. (Q10094)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.

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

18.

São Tomé & Príncipe.2017.‘Preamble.’ São Tomé & Príncipe Homeland Security Act, Law No. 16/2017.São Tomé:São Tomé & Príncipe,6 October. (Q16184)Full Citation

19.

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

20.

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

21.

African Union / UNODA.2005.‘Windhoek Common Position.’ United Nations Programme of Action Implementation Support System: Regional Organisations.New York, NY:African Union / United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs,14 December. (Q3216)Full Citation

22.

African Union.2015.‘Member States.’ African Union: A United and Strong Africa.Addis Ababa:African Union,10 August. (Q10548)Full Citation

23.

UNODA / UNREC.2010.‘Kinshasa Convention: Central Africa Convention for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, their Ammunition, Parts and Components that can be used for their Manufacture, Repair and Assembly.’ United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC).Kinshasa:United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa (UNSAC),22 November. (Q3320)Full Citation

24.

UNDPI.2010.‘United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa Adopts Convention on Small Arms Control.’ United Nations Press Release AFR/1974 DC/3237.New York, NY:UN Department of Public Information,12 May. (Q1940)Full Citation

25.

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

26.

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

27.

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

28.

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

29.

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

30.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘Findings - Table 3: Reporting States by Rank and Score.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8752)Full Citation

31.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘What do the PoAIM Scores Represent? How Should the PoAIM Scores Be Interpreted?.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8753)Full Citation

32.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘Point Allocation System.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8754)Full Citation

33.

Parker, Sarah and Katherine Green.2012.‘Introduction.’ The Programme of Action Implementation Monitor (Phase 1): Assessing Reported Progress.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,1 August. (Q8755)Full Citation

34.

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

35.

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

36.

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

37.

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

38.

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