Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda has long enjoyed low rates of violence and crime. Nonetheless, its position as a transit point in the international drug trade and the increased presence of human trafficking activities in the country led to higher levels of gun violence since the 2010s. At the same time, it is reported that illegal firearms circulate in the country but there is a lack of clear estimates.[1]
In terms of Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM), Antigua and Barbuda notably receives assistance from UNLIREC to enhance its stockpile management in armoury facilities.[2] It also followed training from INTERPOL on the prevention and combat against firearms crimes and illicit firearms trafficking.[3] National regulation on firearms is categorised as restrictive and the country is party to the principal international treaties and protocols on weapons and ammunition.[4] Antigua and Barbuda also reports that it implemented stockpile management standards, physical security measures, and sanctions in the event of theft or loss.[5]
[1] DCAF, “Antigua and Barbuda Country Profile”, 01.02.15, https://issat.dcaf.ch/Learn/Resource-Library/Country-Profiles/Antigua-and-Barbuda-Country-Profile.
[2] UNLIREC, “UNLIREC provides technical assessment for armouries in Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada”, 14.03.22, https://unlirec.org/en/unlirec-provides-technical-assessment-for-armouries-in-antigua-and-barbuda-and-grenada/.
[3] CARICOM Impacs, “Small Arms and Light Weapons”, 2020, https://caricomimpacs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Small-Arms-and-Light-Weapons.pdf.
[4] Philip Alpers and Michael Picard, “Antigua & Barbuda — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law”, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney. GunPolicy.org, 18.08.22, https://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/antigua-and-barbuda.
[5] Sarah Parker and Katherine Green, “A Decade of Implementing the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons. Analysis of National Reports”, Small Arms Survey and UNIDIR, UNIDIR/2012/2, https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/151309/pdf-1-92-9045-012-G-en.pdf.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the beginning of data collection in 1979 by the Small Arms Survey, no accidental explosions were reported in Antigua and Barbuda.
Source: Small Arms Survey (December 2021): Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS). Database. https://smallarmssurvey.org/database/unplanned-explosions-munitions-sites-uems
Cases of diversion
Insufficient information on cases of diversion in Antigua and Barbuda.
Disposal
Antigua and Barbuda has disposed of its ammunition at least once in 2013 but there is insufficient information about the tonnes of ammunition disposed by year.[1]
[1] UNLIREC, “UNLIREC assists Antigua and Barbuda with destruction of seized and obsolete weapons and ammunition”, 2013, https://www.un.org/disarmament/update/20130502/.
Needs
No needs have been identified for Antigua and Barbuda.
Source: PoA Report 2020, Antigua and Barbuda. https://unoda-poa.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/ATG-English-1074-SUBMITTED.pdf
