A/HRC/RES/45/13 negatively affected by the misuse, intentional or unintentional, of firearms, which has direct links to violence, including violence against women and children, and domestic violence, Noting with concern that cases of civilian firearms-related violence cause death, nonfatal physical injuries and psychological trauma, and may lead to severe disability and an overall decline in a sense of public safety, Noting also with concern that increased civilian access to and possession and use of firearms have had alarming patterns of impact on the human rights of women, children and youth, and of persons belonging to ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities, Noting further with concern the increase in domestic violence during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the risk of firearms being used to commit such violence, Recognizing that the costs generated by civilian firearms-related violence in terms of, inter alia, medical treatment, mental health services and criminal justice might undermine the capabilities of States to use their resources to further enhance the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Recognizing also that national regulation of civilian acquisition, possession and use of firearms includes appropriate measures to avoid illicit practices, including diversion of firearms, which is a crucial step towards reducing the impact of civilian access to firearms on the enjoyment of human rights, Recognizing further the importance of systematic measuring and monitoring of and reporting on civilian firearms related-violence, including illicit firearms-related violence, for the enjoyment of human rights, especially through the collection of data disaggregated on the basis of relevant criteria, Acknowledging that effective national regulation of civilian acquisition, possession and use of firearms and ammunition may contribute positively to diminishing the number of victims of the misuse of firearms, and may enhance the protection of all human rights, Acknowledging also the efforts made by different States at various levels, including at the regional and subregional levels, to ensure that civilian acquisition, possession and use of firearms in their respective societies are effectively regulated, Highlighting the importance of reducing and preventing armed violence through comprehensive public policies, inter alia, socioeconomic interventions and the provision of services tailored to address the factors driving firearms-related violence among civilians, especially children and youth, 1. Expresses its concern that civilians own far more firearms worldwide than the military and law enforcement sectors combined, and that the majority of these firearms are unregistered; 2. Reiterates its deep concern at the fact that the majority of firearms-related homicides are committed in non-conflict settings, and that hundreds of thousands of human beings of all ages around the world have lost their lives or suffered injuries and psychological harm by the misuse of firearms by civilians, thus having their human rights negatively affected; 3. Recognizes that civilian firearms-related violence and insecurity pose direct risks to the right to life and to security of person, and also affect other civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights; 4. Calls upon States to do their utmost to take appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures, consistent with international law, in particular human rights law, and their constitutional frameworks, including, inter alia, socioeconomic interventions, such as programmes, activities and services, tailored to address the factors driving firearms-related violence in order to minimize the human rights impact of civilian acquisition, possession and use of firearms, with the aim of strengthening the protection of the human rights of all; 2