CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

• BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The regulation of civilian firearm possession is a sensitive issue for many States, as many have large numbers of their citizens owning or holding weapons for a variety of reasons. Nevertheless, due—usually—to public health or safety concerns, the majority of the world’s governments currently restrict private ownership and use of small arms to some extent through national arms control policies.[1] And, in the past decade, at least twelve governments have significantly tightened their laws on civilian gun possession and use. At the UN 2001 Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects, an early version of the draft Programme of Action explicitly called on States to effectively regulate civilian possession and use of firearms as an important means to curb national and international gun trafficking.[2] This reference was dropped at the US government’s insistence.[3] However, 69 out of 103 governments (67%) highlighted civilian possession policies in their national reports for the First Biennial Meeting of States in July 2003.[4] Several factors contributed to this relatively high level of focus on the issue. First, many governments see a connection between armed violence and the uncontrolled, or loosely controlled, national trade in and possession of small arms.[5] Relatedly, there is growing awareness that most of the problems posed by weapons availability and misuse are ‘civilian’— that is, most guns are owned by civilians, and most victims of gun violence are civilians. Finally, there remains widespread acknowledgment amongst governments that civilian held firearms are an important contributor to the illicit trade and misuse of weapons through theft, careless storage and deliberate sale.[6]

• STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In the wolrd today especially in Cameroon,insecurity has drastically increased due to the prevalance of crime threby causing a lot of tension and instability in rhe country.There exist a law for the regualtion and ownership of guns such as the law of 2016 regulating gun ownership in cameroon.

This law provides a procedure to obtain arms in cameroon without which obtaining a gun would not be possible.However,there is the proliferation of arms in the streets especially in the face ofg the anglophone crises where amba fighters now have possession of guns without following due procedure.This has led to killings and instability.So th researcher wondrs why these gins are many in the hands of individuals who are not entitled to it.Is is that the laws regulating the ownership of guns are not sufficient of the institutions responsible for the enforcement of these laws are not efficient?.Wshall find out subsequently in nthe study.

• RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This study seeks to address a main research question and other specific questions.

• Main Research Question

• How is the ownership and use of guns regulated in Cameroon?
  • Specific Research Questions
• Which laws regulate the use of guns in Cameroon?
• What is the procedure to acquire guns in Cameroon?
• Are there challenges faced in the regulation of guns in Cameroon?
• What can be done to effectively regulate the ownership and use of guns in Cameroon?

• OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This study has a general and specific objectives which it set outs to achieve.

• General Objective

• The overall objective of this research assess the procedure for registering land in Cameroon
  • Specific Objective
• To critically assess the legal and institutional framework regulating the ownership and use of guns in Cameroon.
• To examine the procedure to acquire guns in Cameroon.
• To assess the challenges faced in the regulation of guns in Cameroon.
• To explore the effectiveness of measures put in place to tackle the challenges.