A/HRC/RES/56/9 intentional or unintentional, of firearms by civilians, which has direct links to violence, including violence against women and children, sexual and gender-based violence, femicide, domestic violence and gang and organized crime violence, and concerned that such violence may undermine the enjoyment of the right to participate in cultural life and the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, Recognizing that the costs generated by civilian firearms-related violence might undermine the capabilities of States to use their resources to further enhance the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, Deeply concerned that cases of civilian firearms-related violence cause death, nonfatal physical injuries and psychological trauma, including anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress symptoms and the risk of substance abuse, and may lead to severe and lifelong disability and an overall decline in a sense of public safety, and that these and other longterm effects may expose individuals to further vulnerabilities and human rights concerns relating to the full enjoyment of all their human rights, Noting with concern that increased civilian access to and possession and use of firearms have had alarming impacts on the human rights of women, children and youth, persons belonging to diverse ethnic, religious or linguistic populations, minorities and persons in vulnerable or marginalized situations, and recognizing that States should thus take appropriate measures to regulate and, where necessary, strengthen control of civilian-held firearms, consistent with their constitutional frameworks, Concerned that increased civilian access to firearms, including lawfully acquired weapons, may lead to increased levels of violence and insecurity, and that fear of victimization constitutes an important motivation for the acquisition of firearms by civilians, which is more pronounced in contexts in which there is a real or perceived threat to the safety of individuals, Deeply concerned that firearms are used by civilians in the commission of violent crimes, including for profit, such as robberies, and that children and youth are at risk of unlawfully acquiring or coming into possession of firearms through their relatives, social networks, criminal gangs or the illicit market, Noting with concern that the exposure of children and youth to civilian firearm violence can have a severe lifelong impact on the enjoyment of a wide range of rights, including civil and political rights, the rights to an adequate standard of living, the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the right to education and the right to work, which could lead to distinct human rights violations and abuses, Noting with grave concern the occurrence of shootings in schools, places of worship and on other public premises, Acknowledging that the ownership and use of firearms are closely linked to specific dynamics of control, power and domination and strength, which contributes to perpetuating gender-based violence, and that addressing gendered root causes of violence is essential, Recognizing that national regulation of civilian acquisition, possession and use of firearms should include appropriate and effective measures, such as strengthening control mechanisms, to avoid illicit practices, including diversion of firearms, as a crucial step towards reducing the impact of civilian access to firearms on the enjoyment of human rights, Recognizing also the importance of systematic measuring and monitoring of and reporting on civilian firearms-related violence and its impact on the enjoyment of human rights, especially through the collection of relevant disaggregated data, and of States providing such information in their reports to human rights treaty bodies and in the context of the universal periodic review, when relevant, Acknowledging that effective national regulation and, where appropriate, control of civilian acquisition, possession and use of firearms and ammunition contributes positively to diminishing the number of victims of civilian firearm-related violence and may enhance the enjoyment of all human rights, and acknowledging also the efforts made by different States at various levels, including at the regional and subregional levels, in this regard, 2