Japan and Canada thanked for their efforts
SSAA comment: Take note of the special thanks in para 3.3 to the governments of Canada and Japan for their "substantive contribution" to this project. Also note para 3.14, concerning the role of the media in educating the public on firearms regulation. The Australian media has complied with enthusiasm.
United Nations
Economic and Social Council
LIMITED
E/CN.15/1996/L.1Add.5
30 May 1996
Original: English
Commission on crime prevention and criminal justice
Fifth Session
Vienna, 21-31 May 1996
Agenda item 12
ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ITS FIFTH SESSION
Addendum
Rapporteur: Matti Joutsen (Finland)
Chapter 3 - Measures to regulate firearms
3.1 The Commission considered item 4 of its agenda at its _ meeting on _ May. It had before it the report of the Secretary-General on measures to regulate firearms(E/CN.15/1996/14).
3.2 The representative of the Secretariat, in introducing agenda item 4, noted that the Economic and Social Council, in its resolution 1995/27,section 4, had requested the Secretary-General to initiate a study on measures to regulate firearms. The report of the Secretary-General on measures to regulate firearms(E/CN.15/1996/14) constituted a status report on that matter. Two sources of information had been used in the preparation of the report: replies from Governments to a note verbale from the Secretary-General and input from a group of experts of the institutes comprising the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme network. The institutes would continue to be closely involved in the work, providing a regional and interregional perspective.
3.3 The representative paid special tribute to the substantive contributions provided by Canada and Japan for the study. As the study had not been envisaged in the regular budget of the United Nations, the study would not have been possible without their support.
3.4 The representative noted that the timeliness of the issue had been accentuated by several recent incidents of mass killings around the world, in both developed and developing countries. The widespread availability of firearms, whether legally purchased, stolen, illegally manufactured or smuggled, posed a particular problem in countries that had suffered from internal conflict.
3.5 Since valid data related to the use and regulation of firearms were not readily available in many countries, the first step in the study was to consolidate and establish a reliable database by conducting an international survey. For that purpose, an expert group had been established. The expert group had held two meetings. The results of the survey would be submitted to the Commission at its sixth session.
3.6 The representative concluded by noting that the Commission should consider what future action should be taken in connection with the study. Options included improving the information base, encouraging additional states to provide data and other information, broadening the scope of the survey by including more states in it, encouraging interested states to initiate regional and subregional action and encouraging intergovernmental organizations to improve cooperation in the exchange of data. He added that the Commission might wish to consider the possibility of, and mechanisms for, receiving input from non-govermental organisations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council and other interested organisations.
3.7 Satisfaction was expressed with the progress of the study being carried out by the expert group. One speaker, however, noting the difficulties his own state had encountered in gathering similar information from a few other states, cautioned that such a major study could be quite difficult, and could be accomplished only with the full support of the Member States involved. He urged Member States to provide that support. He noted the study should provide the basis for a consideration of action to be taken nationally and internationally in the regulation of firearms. He noted that would involve a consultative process, in which Member States and non-governmental organisations would be involved.
3.8 One speaker stated that efforts should be made as far as practicable to promote uniform legislation on the regulation of firearms. He noted that model legislation might be helpful in that regard. Another speaker suggested informal meetings between law enforcement and customs officials, leading in time to more formalised schemes for regulation and international cooperation.
3.9 Several speakers described the legislative and administrative systems developed in their countries for the regulation of firearms. One speaker noted the considerable successes that had been achieved in his country in controlling firearms. Another speaker noted that, in the aftermath of a recent and widely publicized mass killing, a uniform national system of firearms regulation had been implemented in his country. He suggested that that system might serve as a model for others, at the national and international levels.
3.10 Several speakers noted that national legislation to regulate firearms should be enacted, made more comprehensive and implemented. Because of the problem of international trafficking in firearms, no nation could achieve adequate control and regulation of firearms on its own. For that reason, international cooperation was necessary, at the bilateral, subregional, regional and global levels. The severity of the problem in some developing countries was highlighted, as was the need for the exchange of information and the provision of financial and technical assistance to such countries to help them to control trafficking in firearms. One speaker urged that strong measures should be taken against merchants involved in such trafficking.
3.11 Speakers expressed concern that the Secretary-General had noted that some of his recommendations were to be implemented "subject to the availability of extrabudgetry funds". It was felt that the subject was too important to be placed under such conditions. The Secretary-General to make maximum efforts to ensure that all the recommendations were implemented, drawing on the existing resources of the Secretariat. One speaker informed the Commission that his Government would be making a voluntary contribution to the second stage of study.
3.12 Reference was made to existing international instruments related to the regulation of firearms, including the European Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals(1) and to the Council of the European Communities directive 91/477/EECof 18 June 1991, on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons(2). Reference was also made to the Meeting of the Group of Experts on the Control of Arms and Explosives related to Drug Trafficking, convened by the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organization of American States at Caracas from 21 to 24 May 1996.
3.13 One speaker outlined some recommendations for a model national scheme of regulation, based on clearly defined conditions for the possession and use of firearms. Such a system would encompass a system of permits, methods for the control and supervision of possession and use, regulations on transport and international transport, and a system of sanctions.
3.14 The Chairman summarized the main points made in the discussion on item 45, noting that a number of speakers had stated that the use of firearms was at the core of many criminal activities and had expressed their concern over the growing dimensions of illicit trafficking in firearms, which has been facilitated by a lack of harmonization of national legislation, regulation and policies. Several speakers had also stressed the role of the mass media in educating the public on the question of firearms regulation. In general, agreement had been reached on the need to improve firearms statistics and information and to carry out a comprehensive review of developments in firearms regulation throughout the world in order to provide an objective basis for formulating recommendations.
(1) European Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals, European Treaty Series, No. 101 (Strasbourg, Council of Europe, 1978).
(2) Official Journal of the European Communities, No. L 256/51, 13 September 1991.
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