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

Article on Brazilian arms exports and the ATT
International trade controls

Guns made in Brazil have been sold to former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi and other leaders that have used armed violence to repress their population

Regional meeting on the control of illicit trafficking of firearms in Chile
Regional Cooperation

On 12-13 September, civil society representatives and officials met for the ‘Fourth meeting of the Southern Cone on the control of illicit trafficking and transfers of firearms’ in Santiago, Chile.

Control Arms launches interfaith campaign for an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
International trade controls

The Control Arms campaign has launched the "Dozen Days of Action for a Robust Arms Trade Treaty" (ATT), an interfaith campaign running from 21 September until 2 October.

Paraguay: Disarm Domestic Violence campaign gains ministerial support
National gun laws

IANSA women in Paraguay are campaigning for a comprehensive law to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women and to include provisions to remove guns from perpetrators in cases of domestic violence.

Burundi: Mass shooting in bar kills more than 40 people
Weapons collection and destruction

On 18 September, armed men entered a bar in Gatumba, Burundi, shooting and killing at least 40 people.

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.