Newsletter

Hot off the Press

Occasional Paper 19
A Guide to the US Small Arms Market, Industry, and Exports, 1998–2004
By Tamar Gabelnick, Maria Haug, and Lora Lumpe
This report will be of interest to scholars, policy analysts, diplomats, and activists concerned about the global gun economy and the impact of firearms. It presents a snapshot of what, precisely, is knowable—and what is not—about the world’s leading small arms maker and market. The report tracks US firearms production, imports, and domestic sales during 1998–2004 and provides insight into fluctuations in the civilian, military, and (to a limited extent) law enforcement markets. It surveys US small arms manufacturers and the special constraints under which they were operating during this period, and it highlights the increasing market share gained by imported weapons and foreign-owned producers. It also describes US shipments of small arms to other countries, particularly as part of the ‘war on terrorism’ initiated by the US government following the 9/11 terror attacks. A brief overview of the relevant US laws and policies governing firearms imports and exports is provided. Finally, the report provides a guide to further research and a template for more meaningful transparency around US weapons production, imports, exports, and domestic sales.

Sudan Issue Brief (No. 1, September 2006)
Persistent threats: widespread human insecurity in Lakes State, South Sudan, since the CPA (in Arabic)
The Small Arms Survey’s Sudan Human Security Baseline Assessment (HSBA) is a multi-disciplinary research project designed to ex­pand understanding and awareness on safety and secu­rity throughout Sudan. The project’s first Sudan Issue Brief presents findings of a large-scale household survey conducted in April and May 2006 to assess levels of real and perceived insecurity across Lakes State since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

Small Arms Survey 2006: Unfinished Business
Press release and summaries now available in German.

Targeting Ammunition: A Primer
edited by Stéphanie Pézard and Holger Anders, co-published with CICS (University of Bradford), GRIP, SEESAC, and Viva Rio, with the financial support of the Government of Germany and a foreword by the German Minister for Foreign Affairs, June 2006.
This book provides a systematic review of the characteristics, processes, and challenges relating to ammunition for small arms and light weapons. It was launched at the UN Review Conference in New York on Thursday, 29 June 2006.

No Refuge: The Crisis of Refugee Militarization in Africa
edited by Robert Muggah, co-produced with the Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC), published by Zed Books, July 2006.
The militarization of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially in Africa, is causing growing alarm within the humanitarian and development communities. The planned and spontaneous arming of refugees and IDPs threatens access to asylum as well as protection. But while the policy debates rage over how to deal with armed refugees and how to prevent their spillover into neighbouring countries, surprisingly little research has been done to explain why displaced people arm themselves or how militarization affects the local and host populations. This book traces the experience of refugee and IDP militarization in four African countries emerging from or affected by war: Guinea, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. It considers the effects of such militarization on regional, national, and human security, and reflects on the responses of hosting governments and humanitarian organizations. The book was launched at the UN Review Conference in New York on Wednesday, 5 July 2006. It will also be launched at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 29 September 2006, during the UNHCR NGO Consultations before the ExCom.

In Other News

Art exhibition at Preview Berlin
Tania Inowlocki of the Small Arms Survey is curating a three-artist exhibition on the perception of small arms at the international emerging art fair Preview Berlin from 29 September to 3 October 2006. See invite and press release.
 

Previous Newsletters

June 2006