Craft production of small arms usually involves fabricating weapons and ammunition largely by hand, in relatively small quantities. Small arms made this way range from rudimentary single-shot pistols to advanced assault rifles. Craft-produced light weapons include man portable rockets and launchers, mortars and their munitions, as well as grenade launchers.
The marking of small arms is a necessary component of record-keeping, linking a specific small arm to a unique record for that item. A robust record-keeping system provides the means to trace small arms and investigate the illicit trade, thus helping to limit the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
It is not difficult to find evidence of Brazil’s high levels of armed violence. The proof is in the grim statistics of the country’s hospitals, morgues, and prisons. This Special Report looks at two aspects of this problem. First, it explores the thriving Brazilian small arms industry, which, together with international trafficking networks, contributes to control failures and fuels small arms violence. Second, it maps out weapons holdings—by weapon type, holder, and location.