Small arms and light weapons: combating their accumulation

SUMMARY OF:

EU strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of small arms and ammunition

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE STRATEGY?

It provides an action plan to combat the threat associated with the illegal accumulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW)* and their ammunition, taking advantage of the wide range of mechanisms available to the EU.

KEY POINTS

BACKGROUND

The consequences of the excessive accumulation and uncontrolled spread of SALW are central to 4 of the 5 challenges (terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, regional conflicts, state failure and organised crime) identified in the European Security Strategy.

For more information, see:

‘The fight against excessive accumulation and illicit trafficking of SALW and their ammunition’ on the website of the European External Action Service.

* KEY TERMS

Small arms and light weapons (SALW): any man-portable lethal weapon. Small arms include handguns, shotguns, assault rifles and light machineguns. Light weapons include heavy machineguns, grenade launchers, and anti-tank guns.

MAIN DOCUMENT

EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition, Council of the European Union, Brussels, 13 January 2006

RELATED ACTS

Regulation (EU) No 230/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing an instrument contributing to stability and peace (OJ L 77, 15.3.2014, pp. 1-10)

Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1908 of 22 October 2015 in support of a global reporting mechanism on illicit small arms and light weapons and other illicit conventional weapons and ammunition to reduce the risk of their illicit trade (‘iTrace II’) (OJ L 278, 23.10.2015, pp. 15-25)

last update 04.07.2016