Combating the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons: Strengthening Domestic Regulations

Small arms and light weapons have become the weapons of choice in conflicts around the world and figure prominently in crime. Recently, considerable attention has been focused on the proliferation of SALW at the national, regional, and international levels. The recognition that most illicit SALW began as legal weapons is fundamental to efforts to reduce their proliferation and misuse, and the diversion of civilian weapons is one source of supply. It is estimated that there are as many SALW in the hands of civilians worldwide as there are in the possession of states, and that in many parts of the world diversion from civilian stocks is the principal source of illicit supply. Consequently, strengthening domestic regulation that reduces the diversion of legal weapons to illegal markets is a critical part of any strategy to address illicit trafficking. It is also consistent with resolutions from the United Nations Security Council and other commissions, as well as regional initiatives. This briefing reviews the ways in which SALW are diverted from legal to illegal markets and the measures that can be used to reduce this diversion. In addressing illicit trafficking in all its aspects, it is imperative that the UN Conference does not neglect this significant problem. If you want this more concise, more formal, or more polished, I can refine it further.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10454/4242

Version

Published version

Citation

Cukier W with contributions from Bandeira A et al (2001) Combating the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons: Strengthening Domestic Regulations. London: British American Security Information Council (BASIC), International Alert and Saferworld. Biting the Bullet Briefing Papers, No 7.

Link to published version

http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/cics/publications/bullet/briefing/

Type

Briefing paper