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Tuvalu — 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 Tuvalu is

2017: 1001
2002: 122

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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 Tuvalu is

2017: 0.93
2002: 0.12

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Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World Ranking

In a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Tuvalu ranked at No. 2054

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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, Tuvalu ranked at No.1654

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Number of Registered Firearms

ChartThe number of registered guns in Tuvalu is reported to be

2017: 501
2002: 122

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Estimated Number of Unregistered and Illicit Firearms

Unregistered and unlawfully held guns cannot be counted,5 but in Tuvalu there are estimated to be

2017: 501

Government Guns

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Routine Arming of Police

In Tuvalu, police officers on routine patrol do not carry a firearm6 7

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Number of Law Enforcement Firearms

Police in Tuvalu are reported to have 268 9 firearms

ImpactsDeath and Injury

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Homicides (any method)

ChartIn Tuvalu, annual homicides by any means total

2012: 210
2011: 1
2010: 1
2009: 0
2008: 0
2007: 0

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

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

2012: 18.8311
2011: 9.48
2010: 9.55
2009: 0
2008: 0
2007: 0

ProductionGun Industry

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Regulation of Firearm Makers

In Tuvalu, the manufacture of small arms, ammunition and/or their components is prohibited12

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

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Firearm Exports

In Tuvalu, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law13 14 15

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Firearm Exports (Number)

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

2018: 016
2017: 016

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Small Arms Exports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from Tuvalu is reported by Customs to be US$135,49817 (2002)

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Firearm Imports

In Tuvalu, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law18 14 19 15

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Firearm Imports (Number)

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

2018: 016
2017: 016

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Small Arms Imports (US$) - Customs

The annual value of small arms and ammunition imports to Tuvalu is reported by Customs to be US$1,70317 (2008)

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Regulation of Arms Brokers

In Tuvalu, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law20 21

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End User Certificates

Customs regulations in Tuvalu do not include20 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 Tuvalu is categorised as restrictive22

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in Tuvalu includes the Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 196423

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in Tuvalu are regulated by the Chief of Police24 25 and the Minister of Police26

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Right to Possess Firearms

In Tuvalu, the right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law27 28 20

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Restricted Firearms and Ammunition

In Tuvalu, civilians are not allowed to possess arms with barrel less than 20 inches29

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Regulation of Automatic Weapons

In Tuvalu, private possession of fully automatic weapons is not specifically prohibited in law20 10

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Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In Tuvalu, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is not specifically prohibited in law20

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Regulation of Handguns

In Tuvalu, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is prohibited29 10

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Law Regulates Long Guns

In Tuvalu, civilian possession of rifles and shotguns is regulated by law10

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Gun Ownership and Possession

In Tuvalu, only licensed gun owners30 24 10 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 Tuvalu are not required to establish a genuine reason to possess a firearm20. But in practice, shooting birds is considered a valid reason for firearm ownership31

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Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in Tuvalu is 21 years25

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Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in Tuvalu must pass a background check which considers criminal and various25 10 records

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Reference Required for Firearm Licence

In Tuvalu, third party character references for each gun licence applicant are not required20

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Domestic Violence and Firearms

Where a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Tuvalu does not stipulate20 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked

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Firearm Safety Training

In Tuvalu, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required20 for a firearm licence

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Gun Owner Licensing Period

In Tuvalu, gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every one year24

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Licensing Records

In Tuvalu, authorities maintain a record24 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 Tuvalu are permitted to possess any number of firearms20

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Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

Licensed firearm owners in Tuvalu are permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition20

Firearm Registration

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Civilian Gun Registration

In Tuvalu, the law requires24 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

Gun Sales and Transfers

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Regulation of Private Gun Sales

In Tuvalu, the private sale and transfer of firearms is prohibited without a licence issued by the Chief of Police32

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Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In Tuvalu, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is not unlawful32

Storage and Transport of Guns and Ammunition

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Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - Private

Firearm regulations in Tuvalu include33 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners

Carrying Guns

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Law Regulates Firearms in Public

In Tuvalu, carrying a gun in a public place is regulated by law10

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Penalty for Illicit Firearm Possession

In Tuvalu, the maximum penalty for unlawful possession of a firearm34 is two to 10 years in prison and a fine of $400-200030

MeasuresInternational Controls

Regional Agreements

Pacific Islands Forum

As a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Tuvalu 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 Forum35 36

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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 signed37 by Tuvalu.

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Arms Trade Treaty

The Arms Trade Treaty has been signed and ratified38 by Tuvalu

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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 signed39 by Tuvalu

United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoA

UNPoA Commitment

On 21 July 2001, Tuvalu 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 Aspects40

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UNPoA National Reporting

Under the terms of its 2001 commitment to the United Nations small arms Programme of Action, Tuvalu has yet to submit a national report41 42 on its implementation of the UNPoA

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UNPoA National Point of Contact

In Tuvalu, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated43

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UNPoA National Coordinating Body

In Tuvalu, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has not been designated43 42

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UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and Support

In National Reports of Tuvalu submitted to the UN from 2001 to 2010, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities was not apparent43 42

UNPoA International Assistance – Donor

Funds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated42 by Tuvalu to other UN Member States

UNPoA International Assistance – Recipient

Funds for UNPoA implementation have been provided42 to Tuvalu by other UN Member States

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United Nations Small Arms Register

According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Tuvalu has not declared44 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports.

United Nations Membership

In the UN List of Member States, Tuvalu has been a Member State of the United Nations since 200045

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list46 Tuvalu 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 16,47 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 Tuvalu, annual homicides by any means total

2012: 210
2011: 1
2010: 1
2009: 0
2008: 0
2007: 0

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

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

2012: 18.8311
2011: 9.48
2010: 9.55
2009: 0
2008: 0
2007: 0

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Conflict Deaths

For a profile of conflict in Tuvalu, select the Link icon to open an external web page from the UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia at Uppsala University

Marking and Tracing

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Firearm Marking

In Tuvalu, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law48

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Firearm Tracing

In Tuvalu, state authorities do not carry out20 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

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Ballistic Record of Firearms and Ammunition

In Tuvalu, the ballistic characteristics of each civilian firearm and its ammunition are not originally20 recorded in a register

Link
Global Peace Index

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

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. (Q923)Full Citation

3.

GunPolicy.org.2016.‘Calculated Rates - Tuvalu.’ Historical Population Data - USCB International Data Base.Suitland, MD:US Census Bureau Population Division,3 August. (Q16294)Full Citation

4.

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

5.

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

6.

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

7.

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

8.

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

9.

Karp, Aaron.2003.‘Fewer Blanks: Global Firearm Stockpiles: Firearms of the Pacific.’ Small Arms Survey 2003: Development Denied.Oxford:Oxford University Press,1 July. (Q925)Full Citation

10.

Butchart, Alexander, Christopher Mikton and Etienne Krug.2014.‘Country Profile: Tuvalu.’ 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. (Q9471)Full Citation

11.

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

12.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Prohibition on the Manufacture of Arms and Ammunition.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q926)Full Citation

13.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Licence to Export.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q4989)Full Citation

14.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Penalty for Unlawful Importation or Exportation.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q940)Full Citation

15.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Arms and Ammunition in Transit.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q4991)Full Citation

16.

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

17.

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

18.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Licence to Import.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q4986)Full Citation

19.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Declaration of Arms and Ammunition on Importation.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q4990)Full Citation

20.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Short Title.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q4988)Full Citation

21.

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

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.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Short Title.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q4987)Full Citation

24.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Licences: How Obtained.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q931)Full Citation

25.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Licence may be Refused.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q930)Full Citation

26.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Regulations.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q4992)Full Citation

27.

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

28.

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

29.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Provisions as to Shortening Arms and Converting Imitation Arms into Arms.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q932)Full Citation

30.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Possession of Arms and Ammunition Prohibited Except Under Licence.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q4985)Full Citation

31.

Alpers, Philip and Conor Twyford.2003.‘Genuine Reason: A Snapshot of Pacific Definitions - Tuvalu.’ Small Arms in the Pacific.Geneva:Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva,31 March. (Q929)Full Citation

32.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Licence for Purchase or Transfer.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q936)Full Citation

33.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Security of Arms and Ammunition.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q934)Full Citation

34.

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

35.

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

36.

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

37.

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

38.

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

39.

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

40.

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

41.

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

42.

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

43.

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

44.

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

45.

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

46.

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

47.

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

48.

Tuvalu.1964.‘Marking of Arms.’ Chapter 74: Arms and Ammunition Ordinance 1964 [Revised Edition 1990].Funafuti:House of Assembly,17 February. (Q937)Full Citation