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Karp, Aaron. 2009 ‘Country Summaries - Suriname.’ Surplus Arms in South America: A Survey; Working Paper 7, pp. 52-3. Geneva: Small Arms Survey, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva. 1 August

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Country Summaries - Suriname

Military small arms security: The vulnerability of military stockpiles in the capital, Paramaribo, is a major problem. In response to thefts, the country's armed forces are drastically strengthening their security policy. They also received stockpile security assistance from the United States.

The national police: The police commissioner reported that the total number of police handguns was 2,000, all 9 mm Glock pistols, corresponding to the 2,000 members of the institution. The recent acquisition of Glocks suggests that comparable numbers of older revolvers remain, although these may have been exported through a trade-in with Glock, a common arrangement for police forces trying to re-equip economically.

Civilian firearms: Despite repeated inquiries, this research was unable to find out the number of firearms licences and registered civilian guns in Suriname. Extrapolation from economic and population statistics suggests there are approximately 30,000 legally owned civilian guns in Suriname, and a similar number of unregistered firearms.

Both Suriname and Guyana accuse each other of not acting aggressively against cross-border smuggling. The illegal arms and drug trade between Suriname and its neighbours are linked to Suriname's highly porous borders. With only 4,000 security personnel in all (police and military), effective control of its borders is impossible.

ID: Q5314

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