|
|
|
|
|
Small Arms Proliferation IssuesThe international movement to limit the availability of small arms in conflict zones Various international organizations (including Oxfam GB, Amnesty International and the United Nations) and domestic groups (eg the Small Arms Working Group in the US) have committed themselves to limiting the trade in, and proliferation of small arms around the world. They claim that roughly 500,000 people are killed each year by the use of small arms and that there are over 600 million of such arms in the world. "The proliferation of small arms, and munitions and explosives has also aggravated the violence associated with terrorism and organized crime. Even in societies not beset by civil war, the easy availability of small arms has in many cases contributed to violence and political instability. These, in turn, have damaged development prospects and imperiled human security in every way." - Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General Main small arms exporters The Small Arms Survey (see external links) claims in their 2003 report that at least 1,134 companies in 98 countries worldwide are involved in some aspect of the production of small arms and/or ammunition. The largest exporters of small arms by volume are the European Union and the United States. In addition, massive exports of small arms by the US, the former Soviet Union (AK-47), China (AK-47), Germany (H&K G3), Belgium (FN-FAL) and Brazil (FN-FAL) during the Cold War took place in order to support ideological movements. Unfortunately these small arms have survived many conflicts and many are now in the hands of arms dealers, which move them between conflict areas as needed. Gun owners' organizations view Gun owners' organizations including ProTell, COLFO and the National Rifle Association claim that the small arms problem does not arise from privately and legally owned pistols, revolvers, hunting and precision rifles, but mainly from military-type small arms like assault rifles, mortars and grenades in the hands of criminals. Gun owners' organizations have protested UN attempts to include such firearms in UN anti-proliferation measures. This view is held by the US Government, which has vetoed attempts by the UN to limit international trade in civilian small arms. Small Arms Survey One issue of controversy is the yearly Small Arms Survey produced by the organization of the same name, an independent research project located at the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva, Switzerland (see external links). Their annual reports claim that the killing of civilians is perpetrated by organized crime, pirates/bandits and rebel groups. In the 2003 Small Arms Survey http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/yb_2003.htm they claim that there are at least 639 million firearms in the world today, of which 59% are legally held by civilians. External links - Organisations advocating small arms control
- Organisations advocating to exclude sporting and hunting small arms from trade control
- Summary on the US position on civilian small arms
See also:
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|