Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
SEESAC. 2019 ‘Number of Civilian Firearms License-holders in Albania (2012-2016).’ SEESAC Albania - 2012/2016 SALW Survey, pp. 22-23. Belgrade: South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC). 18 December
Relevant contents
2.1.2 Legal Civilian Possession of Firearms
The total number of civilian firearm license-holders in 2016 was 96,856, which includes both license holders for category B and C licenses.(13) The number of category C licenses for civilians increased steadily from 90,022 in 2012 to 96,726 in 2016. Of the 96,726 category C civilian licenses, men held 99.9% of these licenses (96,641), while women less than 1% (85). Between 2012 and 2015, only one man held a category B license, as prior to the introduction of Law 74/2014, civilians were not permitted to own category B firearms. There were no category D license-holders from 2012-2016 as category D firearms are not authorized under Law 74/2014, or under the previous law.
Notes:
13. EC Council Directive 91/477/EEC, the control of the acquisition and possession of weapons, defines firearms according to the following categories: A – Prohibited firearms, B – Firearms subject to authorization, C – Firearms subject to declaration, D – Other firearms
Figure 4: Number of civilian firearms license-holders by category
Women:
Category of License: 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016
Category B: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
Category C: 39 - 47 - 63 - 79 - 85
Category D: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
Disaggregated total: 39 - 47 - 63 - 79 - 85
Men:
Category of License: 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016
Category B: 1 - 1 - 1 - 1- 130
Category C: 89,983 - 93,964 - 94,715 - 96,115 - 96,641
Category D: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
Disaggregated total: 89,984 - 93,965 - 94,716 - 96,116 - 96,771
Total: 90,023 - 94,012 - 94,779 - 96,195 - 96,856
Hunting was cited as the dominant reason among license-holders and registered firearms owners for firearm possession across all five years. However, in 2016, 129 license-holders (all of whom were men) cited self- protection/defence as a reason for weapons acquisition. Under Albania's previous weapons legislation, necessary self defence or self-protection was not considered a reason for civilian firearm possession, and only hunting was authorized. Under Law 74/2014, necessary self-defence/protection is the only reason that civilians can cite for firearm possession in residential premises.