Civilians

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Civilians who possess small arms include collectors, hunters, sports shooters, individuals fearing for their personal security, and criminals. Private ownership of firearms, both legal and illegal, accounts for about 85 per cent of the global small arms stockpile. National legislation generally restricts the types of weapons legally available to civilians. In several countries, however, private individuals can access fully automatic firearms legally. Another concern lies in the extent to which the availability of firearms to the general population influences levels of armed violence – including the occurrence of homicides, other types of armed crime, and suicide.

The Small Arms Survey keeps track of civilian ownership of small arms worldwide, both registered and unregistered. Household surveys and focus group discussions undertaken in a number of settings have made it possible to refine knowledge on individual motivations for resorting to gun ownership, their perceptions of small arms, and the effectiveness of policies to address uncontrolled arms proliferation. The Survey also examines key questions related to the civilian ownership of small arms, including the links between arms regulation and violence levels, the demographic profile of arms bearers, national firearms regulations, and the effectiveness of initiatives to collect civilian firearms.

Small Arms Survey Publications

Other Publications

Further Resources

• UK Home Office: Firearms Certificates, England and Wales
• US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report