This Issue Paper examines Indonesia’s comprehensive firearms control law. Indonesia has one of the world’s most restrictive civilian firearms systems, with approximately 0.03 firearms per 100 residents. This paper analyzes the legal framework from independence in 1945 to current regulations under Peraturan Kepolisian Number 1 of 2022 (Perpol 1/2022).
Unlike in nations where firearms rights may be constitutionally or culturally protected, Indonesia’s approach to weapons control emerged from its struggle for independence and subsequent efforts to maintain national cohesion. Indonesia’s firearms control reflects state-building priorities emphasizing collective security over individual rights.
The legal foundations rest on Law Number 8 of 1948 (registration and licensing) and Emergency Law Number 12 of 1951 (criminal penalties including death sentences for unauthorized possession) both remaining in force today.
This Issue Paper engages in doctrinal legal analysis of Indonesian firearms legislation. There is also statistical analysis of gun crime data from Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS) covering 2012-2021. Primary sources include constitutional provisions, statutory law, police regulations, and official crime statistics.
Indonesia’s firearms regime operates through a restrictive “may-issue” permitting system administered by the National Police Intelligence Agency (Baintelkam Polri). Civilian ownership is limited to specific high-risk professions with demonstrated threats, sporting purposes through approved clubs, or highly regulated collecting. Gun-related crimes declined 80.7% from 2012-2021 (561 to 108 cases), though illegal firearms remain problematic with annual national police seizures of 500–700 illicit weapons, and more locally.
The system has been highly effective in limiting legal ownership.
The information presented herein is based on publicly available legal texts and analyses of Indonesian law. It is not an official government statement and should not be relied upon for legal advice.
Spelling is consistent with the Indonesian version of English, which leans more to British spelling than to American.
