Work areas

The problem of small arms proliferation is multidimensional– that is why such a broad array of organisations around the world are so concerned about it. On this page you will find the latest news and resources on some of the hot topics for groups working against small arms and light weapons.

Latest news

Costa Rica: Survivors demand stronger gun control
Survivors

On 1 July, Nancy Chaverri, a school Principal in San Jose (Costa Rica) was shot in the head by a 17 year old student with a gun taken from his home. Nancy died on 11 July.

9 July - International Gun Destruction Day
Weapons collection and destruction

9 July is International Gun Destruction Day and this year it is being marked by governments, UN agencies and NGOs through gun destruction events and awareness raising programmes around the world.

Nicaragua celebrates landmine success
Weapons collection and destruction

On 18 June, Nicaragua announced the successful completion of its humanitarian mine action programme.

South Africa: IANSA member succeeds in getting arms trade data
International trade controls, National gun laws

According to a revealing dossier released by IANSA member the Ceasefire Campaign, 58 countries receiving arms exports from South Africa between 2000-2009 failed to meet at least one of the criteria required by the National Conventional Arms Control Act. <--break->

US: IANSA members react to Supreme Court Ruling on 2nd Amendment
National gun laws

On 28 June, the US Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment right to bear arms not only limits federal power but also that of state and local governments to regulate guns.

Latest resources

Gender, Peace and Security Update from PRIO
Women, gender and guns
The first ‘Gender, Peace and Security Update (GPS)’ for 2012 from the Peace Research Institute Oslo, features PRIO researcher and Deputy Director Inger Skjelsbæk’s new book ‘The Psychology of War Rape: Studies from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the launch of the US Peace Research Endowment'.
NGO Presentations at the PoA PrepCom, 21 March 2012
UN Small Arms Process

Representatives of civil society spoke in the afternoon plenary session of the preparatory committee (PrepCom) for the 2012 Review Conference (RevCon) on 21 March 2012.

The importance of international cooperation and assistance to improve stockpile management in Africa
Stockpile management and security, UN Small Arms Process

This article was written by Félix Kokou Aklavon, member of the International Advisory Council (IAC) and the Togolese Action Network on Small Arms (RASALT) for the Small Arms Monitor during the preparatory committee for the 2012 Review Conference on the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms (PoA).

The Arms Flyers: Commercial Aviation, Human Rights, and the Business of War and Arms
International trade controls

The report presents (Part I and Part II) a series of cases - from the 1980s to present - that illustrate and document the continuous involvement of aviation companies in the business of war, namely in the arms supply chains and also in covert operations, all of which have often resulted in consequent severe violations of human rights, from Nicaragua to Armenia, from D.R. Congo to Afghanistan and Rwanda.

What should the UN Programme of Action PrepCom 2012 Achieve?
UN Small Arms Process

The purpose of the PrepCom is to lay the groundwork for the RevCon, 27 August – 7 September 2012. The PrepCom is expected to produce a draft agenda for the RevCon i.e. which solutions to the problem of gun violence are open for discussion.