Vietnam — 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 ShotgunsIn Vietnam, the number of shotguns in civilian possession is reported to be 70,0004 Number of Privately Owned Firearms - World RankingIn a comparison of the number of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Vietnam ranked at No. 455 Rate of Privately Owned Firearms per 100 Population - World RankingIn a comparison of the rate of privately owned guns in 206 countries, Vietnam ranked at No.1585 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 Vietnam, annual homicides by any means total 2011: 1,3589 2010: 1,336 2009: 1,233 2008: 1,092 2007: 1,168 2006: 1,048 2005: 1,053 2004: 1,063 2003: 1,059 2002: 1,067 2001: 1,004 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.Rate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleSuicides (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.Unintentional 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.TransfersGun Trade and TraffickingRegulation of Arms BrokersIn Vietnam, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law26 End User CertificatesCustoms regulations in Vietnam include27 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use MeasuresGun RegulationFirearm Regulation - Guiding PolicyThe regulation of guns in Vietnam is categorised as restrictive28 Firearm LawGuiding gun control legislation in Vietnam includes the Law No. 14 on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosives and Combat Gears of 201726 Firearm Regulation AuthorityGuns in Vietnam are regulated by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security29 Gun Ownership and PossessionIn Vietnam, only authorized state personnel34 35 33 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition Genuine Reason Required for Firearm PossessionApplicants for a gun owner’s licence in Vietnam are required to establish a genuine reason to possess a firearm4 Minimum Age for Firearm PossessionThe minimum age for gun ownership in Vietnam is 18 years4 Gun Owner Background ChecksDomestic Violence and FirearmsWhere a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in Vietnam stipulates36 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked Firearm Safety TrainingIn Vietnam, an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is required37 for a firearm licence Firearm RegistrationCivilian Gun RegistrationIn Vietnam, the law requires15 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register Storage and Transport of Guns and AmmunitionFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - PrivateFirearm regulations in Vietnam include4 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - GovernmentCarrying GunsLaw Regulates Firearms in PublicIn Vietnam, carrying a gun in a public place is regulated by law13 MeasuresInternational ControlsGeneva 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 not signed42 by Vietnam. Arms Trade TreatyThe Arms Trade Treaty has not been signed43 by Vietnam 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 signed44 by Vietnam United Nations Small Arms Programme of Action UNPoAUNPoA CommitmentOn 21 July 2001, Vietnam 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 Aspects45 UNPoA Implementation Monitor ScoreUNPoA National ReportingUNPoA National Point of ContactIn Vietnam, a National Point of Contact to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated51 UNPoA National Coordinating BodyIn Vietnam, a National Coordinating Body to deal with issues relating to the UNPoA has been designated51 UNPoA Civil Society Involvement and SupportIn National Reports of Vietnam submitted to the UN from 2001 to 2010, a history of substantive cooperation with civil society in support of UNPoA activities was apparent51 UNPoA International Assistance – DonorFunds for UNPoA implementation have not been donated51 by Vietnam to other UN Member States United Nations Small Arms RegisterAccording to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, Vietnam has not declared52 its small arms exports in one or more annual National Reports on Arms Exports. United Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, Vietnam has been a Member State of the United Nations since 197753 Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list54 Vietnam 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 16,55 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 Vietnam, annual homicides by any means total 2011: 1,3589 2010: 1,336 2009: 1,233 2008: 1,092 2007: 1,168 2006: 1,048 2005: 1,053 2004: 1,063 2003: 1,059 2002: 1,067 2001: 1,004 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 HomicidesRate of Gun Homicide per 100,000 PeopleConflict DeathsFor a profile of conflict in Vietnam, select the Link icon to open an external web page from the UCDP Conflict Encyclopedia at Uppsala University DisarmamentFirearms Surrendered and SeizedGlobal Peace IndexTo see where Vietnam ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on Vietnam on the map or in the "Select Country" menu on the right of the web page |
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