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Small Arms and Light Weapons

Up to 90% of direct deaths in areas of conflict are caused by small arms. The use of small arms to deny access to food and healthcare is responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of people each year. Even in peaceful societies small arms continue to be used to maim and kill, causing 250,000 homicides and suicides each year and leaving thousands more people injured or permanently disabled.

QUNO has been active in this area. Its work mainly involved supporting United Nations efforts to address the proliferation of small arms, with a particular emphasis on the cross-cutting nature of the issue. In 2007, QUNO Geneva hosted an experts meeting on Small Arms Demand, bringing together close to thirty experienced experts on various aspects of the topic. The aim of the one-day session was to review the development of small arms demand theory, policy and practice; to assess its areas of success; to identify gaps that need attention and to outline steps for further development and consolidation of programming. To read the report summarizing some of the ideas presented at the meeting, along with references to other relevant documents, please click here

In 2006 QUNO participated in the UN Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.To read QUNO dispatches from this Conference, please click here.

Further Resources

• Small Arms and Light Weapons at the United Nations
• QUNO’s work on Small Arms and Light Weapons
• Lessening the Demand for Small Arms and Light Weapons
• Resources on Small Arms and Light Weapons
• Small Arms Survey
• Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development