Access to surface-to-air missiles by armed groups is but one of the frightening aspects of the leakage of small arms from states to nonstate actors ("Terrorist missiles called threat," July 1). From Latin America to South Asia, stockpiles of small arms and light weapons routinely leak into the civilian population through theft, corruption and poor security.

These weapons fuel the insurgencies, rebellions and widespread criminal violence that kill civilians, cause millions of people to be displaced and undermine development. They will almost certainly be used in terrorist operations as well.

Around the world this week, advocates for tougher controls on these weapons are engaged in the Global Week of Action Against Small Arms. In at least 40 countries, community groups are lobbying and organizing rallies, vigils, film screenings and other public events to demand government action against the deadly flood of guns. Human security suffers wherever small arms and light weapons go.

Rebecca Peters
Director
International Action Network on Small Arms

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