Almost One In Three People Affected By Gun Crime

A survey of people in six countries around the world released today reveals that on average, 30% have been the victim of gun crime or know someone who has been in the last five years, with the proportion rising to more than half in Brazil, Guatemala and South Africa.

Surveys in Brazil, Guatemala, Canada, South Africa, Great Britain and India found that across the globe, many people are living in daily fear of armed violence. Nearly two in three people (62%) across the six countries said they "worried about becoming a victim of armed violence" with the proportion rising to a massive 94% of people in Brazil, 88% in Guatemala and 72% in South Africa. Even in Britain and Canada, more than one in three people (39% and 36% respectively) worried about becoming an armed violence victim.

The study, conducted during April and May 2006, also shows that the unregulated proliferation of firearms is the source of most people's insecurity. An average 62% of all those surveyed said it was "too easy to obtain a gun" in their country while 63% cited the easy availability of guns as a main reason for fear.

The survey demonstrates almost unanimous global public support for stronger international arms controls just one week before governments meet at the UN World conference on small arms which begins Monday 26th June in New York.

An average of 87% of all respondents want "strict international controls on where weapons can be exported to", with 93% of people in Brazil, 91% in Guatemala, 90 in both Canada and India, 86% of people in Britain and 73% of South Africans agreeing.

The survey also showed very strong 89% support for "better controls on arms coming into their country". Country results of those in support were as follows: Brazil, 96%, Guatemala, 94%, India, 93%, Canada, 92%, Britain, 85% and South Africa 73%.

Almost one third of Guatemalan and South African respondents said their families had been affected by gun crime (30% and 28% respectively). In both Britain and Canada, six in every 10 people thought it was too easy to obtain a gun in their country and more than five out of 10 South Africans also agreed.

The research showed that 91% of people in Brazil thought that obtaining a gun was too easy and the same number that gun proliferation was a main reason for fear in the country. In Guatemala, 77% thought getting a gun was too easy and 87% said the easy availability of weapons was a main reason for fear.

Technical details

The research was conducted by Ipsos. An average of 1,000 respondents in each country were interviewed with quota controls on age, sex and region during April and May 2006 in Brazil, Guatemala, India, South Africa, Great Britain and Canada.