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

Description

yes / 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 level. The recognition that m o s t
illicit SALW began as legal weapons is, however, fundamental to efforts to reduce the proliferation
and misuse of SALW and the diversion of civilian weapons is one source of supply. Indeed,
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 the illicit supply. Consequently, strengthening domestic regulation,
which 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 which
can be used to reduce this diversion. In addressing illicit trafficking in all its aspects, it is
imperative that the UN Conference not does neglect this significant problem.

Links & Downloads

1. 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. Briefing 7.
2. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/4242

Tags

Small arms and light weapons trade; SALW

; Illicit trafficking

; Weapons proliferation reduction

; Legal weapons trade

; Illegal arms trade

; Domestic regulation

; Civilian possession

Additional Fields

Identifer	oai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/4242
Date	January 2001
Creators	Cukier, W., Bandeira, A.
Publisher	British American Security Information Council (BASIC), International Alert and Saferworld.
Source Sets	Bradford Scholars
Language	English
Detected Language	English
Type	Briefing Paper, published version paper
Rights	© 2001 The Authors, British American Security Information Council (BASIC), International Alert and Saferworld. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share-Alike License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/uk).
Relation	http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/cics/publications/bullet/briefing/