Kolbe, Athena and Robert Muggah. 2011 ‘Securing the State: Haiti Before and After the Earthquake.’ Small Arms Survey 2011: States of Security; Chapter 8, p. 247. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 6 July

Relevant contents

Arming for Self-Defence

When asked in 2010 whether they held a weapon, only 2.3 per cent of Port-au-Prince area households reported owning firearms. Respondents may be reluctant to discuss sensitive topics such as gun ownership, or they may appear cooperative although they are dishonest when responding. To increase accuracy, interviewers repeatedly reminded respondents that the survey was confidential, and that they could decline to answer any question they wished.

Despite this, few respondents declined to answer, and most were not only willing to answer, but also to show their weapons and gun permits as evidence… [T]he low ownership rate of 2.3 per cent may be treated as reasonably reliable. It is slightly higher than the percentage of Port-au-Prince residents with permits to own a firearm (which was 1.9 per cent in 2009), but is lower than the figures provided by MINUSTAH and other international factors, which range from 8 to 22 per cent of all Port-au-Prince area households.

Among those who reported owning a weapon, there were an average 2.7 firearms per home. Handguns, such as revolvers, were most commonly reported, followed by rifles and pistols. Shotguns and 'other arms' (including grenade launchers and machine guns) were the least commonly reported.

[MINUSTAH = United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti]

Last accessed at:
http://www.smallarmssurvey.org

ID: Q9878