Gun Violence and Regulation of Public Civilian Gun Carrying in Cameroon

Gun violence poses a significant public security threat in Cameroon, exacerbated by separatist conflicts in the Northwest and Southwest regions and Boko Haram attacks in the Far North region. These crises challenge the state’s monopoly on the use of force, with illegal firearms far outnumbering those legally authorized. Firearms are used in numerous homicides, nonfatal injuries, and violent crimes annually. In response, Cameroon enacted Law No. 2016/015 of December 14, 2016, to regulate the manufacture, import, export, acquisition, possession, and use of arms and munitions. The law prohibits all transactions involving third category weapons namely: nuclear, biological, chemical weapons, and cluster munitions. The law assigns severe penalties for violations, including life imprisonment and the death penalty when linked to organized efforts. Despite this legal framework, enforcement remains a challenge. The paper recommends stricter and more effective measures to further reduce the illegal circulation of firearms and enhance national security.