Loading...
Regulation of Civilian Possession of Small Arms and Light Weapons
Miller, D. Cukier, W. Vázquez, H. Watson, C.
Miller, D.
Cukier, W.
Vázquez, H.
Watson, C.
Publication Date
2002
End of Embargo
Supervisor
Keywords
UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, Small arms and light weapons (SALW) trade, Illicit trafficking, Weapons proliferation reduction, Illegal arms trade, Civilian possession of small arms, UN Programme of Action (PoA), Cultures of violence, Domestic regulation of SALW
Rights
© 2002 The Authors, International Alert, Saferworld and Centre for International Co-operation and Security, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share-Alike License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/uk).
Peer-Reviewed
yes
Open Access status
Accepted for publication
Institution
Department
Awarded
Embargo end date
Collections
Additional title
Abstract
The majority of small arms and light weapons currently in circulation are in civilian possession1. An
estimated fifty-nine percent of weapons around the world are in civilian hands and in some regions such
as Europe this is closer to eighty per cent.2 While the majority of these arms are used for lawful purposes
a significant percentage are not. The misuse of these arms by civilians can cause major damage to
people¿s livelihoods, health and security as well as broader repercussion such as hampering economic,
social and political development and the provision of health care. One of the more controversial outcomes of the UN Small Arms conference was the failure of states
to explicitly commit to more effective regulation of civilian possession and use of small arms and light
weapons (SALW). Despite clear evidence of the opportunities for diversion of SALW from civilian
possession to illicit trade and the serious impact of this on human security, opposition from some
states to any mention of this issue within the Programme of Action (PoA) prevented the inclusion of
language concerning the regulation of privately owned SALW. Nevertheless, the Programme of
Action does contain limited provisions including the criminalisation of illicit possession of SALW and
a requirement that states ensure responsibility for SALW issued by them.
This Policy Briefing elaborates on how these and other international commitments should be
interpreted and implemented so as to enhance human security.
Version
published version paper
Citation
Miller, D. and Cukier, W. with Vázquez, H. and Watson, C. (2002). Regulation of Civilian Possession of Small Arms and Light Weapons. London: International Alert and Saferworld; Bradford: University of Bradford, Department of Peace Studies, Centre for International Co-operation and Security. Biting the Bullet Follow-up Project. Biting the Bullet Briefing Papers. Briefing 16.
Link to publisher’s version
Link to published version
Link to Version of Record
Type
Briefing Paper