Calculable Losses? Arms Transfers to Afghanistan 2002–21

Submitted by Katie Lazaro on 18 January, 2024

Following the Taliban’s assumption of control in Afghanistan in August 2021, uncertainty has persisted about the scale, scope, and specific elements of the arsenal it captured from the previous regime. A new report from the Small Arms Survey, based on hitherto unpublished official data, provides the most refined picture to date of the arsenals captured by the Taliban.

Privately Made Firearms in the European Union

Submitted by Katie Lazaro on 5 December, 2023

Improvements in technology and information sharing have transformed PMFs from crude, impractical homemade devices of limited value to most criminals into highly functional weapons that are increasingly viewed as viable substitutes for factory-built firearms. The effectiveness of national and international small arms control regimes are gradually being eroded; the lack of serial numbers on such weapons, for example, undermines tracing efforts that have been a cornerstone of investigations. 

Illicit Firearms Ammunition and Other Explosive Munitions in the European Union

Submitted by Katie Lazaro on 5 December, 2023

The trafficking of firearms and their use in criminal violence in Europe has received significant attention from researchers and policymakers. Less is known, however, about the illicit proliferation of firearm ammunition and other explosive munitions. Currently, detailed data on illicit munitions in Europe can only be accessed through specialized law enforcement agencies. National seizure statistics often lack the necessary detail for policy-relevant analysis, as do the media reports, which often include incomplete or inaccurate information on the types and calibres of ammunition. 

Small Arms Survey Podcast #53: Women in Arms Trafficking

Submitted by Lionel Kosirnik on 15 July, 2022

The roles of women in arms offences have been looked at from many perspectives, including violent extremism prevention, women offenders, political activism, or transnational crime in relation to drug trafficking and human trafficking. However, the roles of women in arms trafficking have rarely been considered through a small arms lens.

Somalia and the Challenge of Illicit Arms Flows

Submitted by Lionel Kosirnik on 30 November, 2021

This blog post was published as part of the Global Partnership on Small Arms project, which was managed by the Small Arms Survey and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

The Global Partnership on Small Arms was a platform where stakeholders engaged in reducing or preventing illicit arms trafficking were able to interact; exchange information, experience, and knowledge; and give feedback to further their shared goals.

Measuring Illicit Arms Flows in Honduras

Submitted by Lionel Kosirnik on 30 November, 2021

This blog post was published as part of the Global Partnership on Small Arms project, which was managed by the Small Arms Survey and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

The Global Partnership on Small Arms was a platform where stakeholders engaged in reducing or preventing illicit arms trafficking were able to interact; exchange information, experience, and knowledge; and give feedback to further their shared goals.

Taking Stock of Action on the Illicit Small Arms Trade: Covid-19 and ’Silencing the Guns’

Submitted by Lionel Kosirnik on 15 September, 2021

'As the devastating health and economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to be felt around the world, the impact of the crisis on peace and security in Africa and more specifically on the African Union’s (AU) Silencing the guns initiative, is beginning to emerge.

Taking Stock of Action on the Illicit Small Arms Trade: The Way Forward for Tackling the Illicit Small Arms Trade

Submitted by Lionel Kosirnik on 15 September, 2021

'Discussions on new dynamics and approaches to consider at the multilateral and national levels for tackling the illicit small arms trade should unfold in parallel as new challenges emerge. This blog post gives an overview of the main points raised during the high-level panel in the eleventh session of the Small Arms Survey 2020 online forum ‘Taking stock of action on the illicit small arms trade’.

Taking Stock of Action on the Illicit Small Arms Trade: Combating the Illicit Trade in and Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Member States of the League of Arab States

Submitted by Lionel Kosirnik on 15 September, 2021

'The League of Arab States (LAS), INTERPOL, the Small Arms Survey, and the World Customs Organization (WCO) — supported by the EU — are working together on a joint project to combat the illicit trade in, and proliferation of, small arms and light weapons in LAS Member States.

Taking Stock of Action on the Illicit Small Arms Trade: Measures to Address the Diversion of Small Arms

Submitted by Lionel Kosirnik on 15 September, 2021

'Conventional arms and ammunition are at risk of diversion throughout their life cycle. Identifying and putting in place effective measures to prevent, detect, and respond to diversion is a priority for the small arms community. The second panel of the Small Arms Survey 2020 online forum ‘Taking stock of action on the illicit small arms trade’ focused on the issue of diversion, a key theme for this year’s sixth conference of states parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT CSP6) and next year’s seventh biennial meeting of the UN Programme of Action on small arms (PoA BMS7).