38% of the world’s military firearms are surplus stock, according to the Small Arms Survey Yearbook 2008, published on 14 July . It estimates that 76 million out of the 200 million military firearms worldwide are in excess. Despite this surplus, the Survey estimates only 430,000 military weapons are destroyed each year, which is far fewer than the estimated 700-900,000 military weapons being newly produced.

A high surplus could pose the risk of firearms being filtered into the illicit market, and the report identifies arms diversion from military stockpiles as a major source of weapons found in criminal hands. The case of Northern Kenya illustrates this danger as 40% of illegal ammunition originated from the Kenyan security forces.

Both the 2001 UN Programme of Action and the recent outcome from the Biennial Meeting of States (14-18 July 2008) recommends destroying surplus stock over selling, donating or re-using excess weapons. Despite this, many countries choose to export excess weapons for financial gain rather than destroy them while others prefer to maintain large surpluses for cases of national security, such as the need for emergency mobilisation. The Survey outlines some of the incentives that have been offered to encourage destruction, including security sector reform programs.

The 2008 Yearbook also reports on the public health approach to armed violence, analysing the effects and identifying public health interventions that could help reduce the impact of such violence.