Small Arms Survey

Last updated
Small Arms Survey
Formation1999
HeadquartersGeneva
Director
Mark Downes
Parent organization
 Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
Website https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/

The Small Arms Survey (SAS) is an independent research project located at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. It provides information on all aspects of small arms and armed violence, as a resource for governments, policy-makers, researchers, and activists, as well as research on small arms issues.

Contents

The survey monitors national and international initiatives (governmental and non-governmental), and acts as a forum and clearinghouse for the sharing of information. It also disseminates best practice measures and initiatives dealing with small arms issues.

SAS's mandate is to look at all aspects of small arms and armed violence. It provides research and analysis by which to support governments to reduce the incidence of armed violence and illicit trafficking through evidence-based analysis.

The project's staff includes international experts in security studies, political science, law, international public policy, development studies, economics, conflict resolution, and sociology. The staff works closely with a worldwide network of researchers and partners. [1] [2] [3]

History

The Small Arms Survey was established in 1999 "on the initiative" of Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) [4] and "in conjunction with other interested governments". [5] They placed the project under the tutelage of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID). [4]

In July 1999, Keith Krause (born 1960) became the founder and programme director. The Canadian political scientist, who wrote his PhD thesis at Oxford University on the issue of international arms transfers and has been a professor of international politics at the IHEID since 1994, remained in that position until December 2015. [6]

Focus projects

The Small Arms Survey hosts the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development Secretariat. [7]

The Small Arms Survey's Human Security Baseline Assessment for Sudan and South Sudan project supports violence reduction initiatives, including disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programmes, incentive schemes for civilian arms collections and security sector reform, and arms control interventions across Sudan. [8] [9]

The Security Assessment in North Africa project supports efforts to build a more secure environment in North Africa and the Sahel-Sahara region. The project produces evidence-based research and analysis on the availability and circulation of small arms, the dynamics of emerging armed groups, and related insecurity. The research stresses the effects of the recent uprisings and armed conflicts in the region on community safety. [10]

2018 report

In 2018, Small Arms Survey reported that there are over one billion small arms distributed globally, of which 857 million (about 85 percent) are in civilian hands. [11] [12] According to Small Arms Survey's estimates, U.S. civilians alone account for 393 million (about 46 percent) of the worldwide total of civilian held firearms. [13] [12] This amounts to "120.5 firearms for every 100 residents." [12]

According to the report, the world's armed forces control about 133 million (about 13 percent) of the global total of small arms, of which over 43 percent belong to two countries: the Russian Federation (30.3 million) and China (27.5 million). [11] And, the world's law enforcement agencies control about 23 million (about 2 percent) of the global total of small arms. [11]

Global distribution of firearms

American gun ownership

American gun show, Houston, Texas Houston Gun Show at the George R. Brown Convention Center.jpg
American gun show, Houston, Texas

American civilians own over 393 million guns. "Americans made up 4 percent of the world's population but owned about 46 percent of the entire global stock of 857 million civilian firearms." [18] That is three times as many guns as the combined stockpile of the world's armed forces. [19] American civilians own more guns "than those held by civilians in the other top 25 countries combined." [20]

Reception

The Small Arms Survey's reports are widely used and considered to be accurate, though all of the figures involve "some degree of estimation", and estimates for certain countries are highly uncertain. [21] [22]

In response to a report about the number of firearms in Finland, the Finnish Ministry of the Interior issued a statement saying that the number was inflated and completely wrong. [23] [24]

Publications

The project's flagship publication is the Small Arms Survey, an annual review of global small arms issues such as production, stockpiles, brokering, legal and illicit arms transfers, the effects of small arms, and national, bilateral, and multilateral measures to deal with the problems associated with small arms. [25] Published by Cambridge University Press, it is recognized as the principal international source of impartial and reliable information on all aspects of small arms. It is widely used by policy-makers, government officials and non-governmental organizations. [26]

In addition to its annual yearbook, the Small Arms Survey publishes a wide range of periodical research findings. These include a Book Series, Occasional Papers, Special Reports, Working Papers, and short Issue Briefs and Research Notes. [34] These publications present substantial research findings on data, methodological, and conceptual issues related to small arms or detailed country and regional case studies. Most of these are published in hard copy and are also accessible on the project's web site. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arms trafficking</span> Illegal trafficking or smuggling of contraband weapons or ammunition

Arms trafficking or gunrunning is the illicit trade of contraband small arms, explosives, and ammunition, which constitutes part of a broad range of illegal activities often associated with transnational criminal organizations. The illegal trade of small arms, unlike other organized crime commodities, is more closely associated with exercising power in communities instead of achieving economic gain. Scholars estimate illegal arms transactions amount to over US$1 billion annually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun control</span> Laws or policies that regulate firearms

Gun control, or firearms regulation, is the set of laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun politics in the United States</span>

Gun politics in the United States is characterized by two primary opposing ideologies regarding private firearm ownership.

The small arms trade is the markets of both authorized and illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW), as well as their parts, accessories, and ammunition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arms industry</span> Industrial sector which manufactures weapons and military technology and equipment

The arms industry, also known as the defense industry, military industry, or the arms trade, is a global industry which manufactures and sells weapons and other military technology to a variety of customers, including the armed forces of states and civilian individuals and organizations. Products of the arms industry include weapons, munitions, weapons platforms, communications systems, and other electronics, and related equipment. The arms industry also provides defense-related services, such as logistical and operational support. As a matter of policy, many governments of industrialized countries maintain or support a network of organizations, facilities, and resources to produce weapons and equipment for their military forces. This is often referred to as a defense industrial base. Entities involved in arms production for military purposes vary widely, and include private sector commercial firms, state-owned enterprises and public sector organizations, and scientific and academic institutions. Such entities perform a wide variety of functions, including research and development, engineering, production, and servicing of military material, equipment, and facilities. The weapons they produce are often made, maintained, and stored in arsenals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun culture in the United States</span> Behaviors and attitudes about firearms in the United States

Gun culture in the United States refers to the behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs surrounding the ownership and use of firearms by private citizens. Gun ownership is deeply rooted in the country’s history and is legally protected by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Firearms in the U.S. are commonly used for self-defense, hunting, and recreational activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun violence in the United States</span> Phenomenon of gun violence in the United States

Gun violence is a term of political, economic and sociological interest referring to the tens of thousands of annual firearms-related deaths and injuries occurring in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun violence</span> Method of violence

Gun-related violence is violence against a person committed with the use of a firearm to inflict a gunshot wound. Gun violence may or may not be considered criminal. Criminal violence includes homicide and assault with a deadly weapon. Depending on the jurisdiction, suicide or attempted suicide may also be considered a crime. Non-criminal violence includes accidental or unintentional injury and death. Also generally included in gun violence statistics are military or para-military activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small arms and light weapons</span> Two classes of man-portable weapons

Small arms and light weapons (SALW) refers in arms control protocols to two main classes of man-portable weapons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estimated number of civilian guns per capita by country</span>

This is a list of countries by estimated number of privately owned guns per 100 people. The Small Arms Survey 2017 provides estimates of the total number of civilian-owned guns in a country. It then calculates the number per 100 people. This number for a country does not indicate the percentage of the population that owns guns. This is because individuals can own more than one gun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gun ownership</span> Status of owning a firearm

In 2018, the Small Arms Survey reported that there are over one billion small arms distributed globally, of which 857 million are in civilian hands. The survey stated that USA civilians account for an estimated 393 million of the worldwide total of civilian held firearms, or about 120.5 firearms for every 100 American residents.

The concept of armed violence reduction (AVR) has gained significant in importance after the 2006 Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development. According to OECD, more than 740,000 people die each year as a result of the violence associated with armed conflicts and large- and small-scale criminality. Furthermore, armed violence impedes humanitarian and socio-economic development and, hence, it is an obstruction to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

Firearms in Thailand refers to the number and types of firearms in the country in civilian (unofficial) hands and the laws and societal norms that govern their possession and use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defensive gun use</span> Use or presentation of a firearm for self-defense, defense of others or protecting property

Defensive gun use (DGU) is the use or presentation of a firearm for self-defense, defense of others or, in some cases, protecting property. The frequency of incidents involving DGU and their effectiveness in providing safety and reducing crime are controversial issues in gun politics and criminology, chiefly in the United States. Different authors and studies employ different criteria for what constitutes a defensive gun use which leads to controversy in comparing statistical results. Perceptions of defensive gun use are recurring themes in discussions over gun rights, gun control, armed police, open and concealed carry of firearms.

Ukrainian law allows firearm ownership on may-issue basis. With approximately 10 civilian firearms per 100 people, Ukraine is the 88th most armed country in the world per capita, and 22nd overall.

The disarmament of the Lou Nuer was a forcible disarmament campaign undertaken by the SPLA in Southern Sudan in December 2005. While other groups had been peacefully disarmed, the Lou section of the Nuer in Northern Jonglei State refused to comply. The SPLA organized a force under Peter Bol Kong to forcibly disarm the Lou Nuer, whose White Army resisted until a defeat in the battle of Motot, after which they fled the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crime in Ivory Coast</span>

Crime in Cote d'Ivoire is prevalent and versatile across the West African country. The most common forms of crime include child labour, arms trafficking, terrorism and human rights abuse. Other less common, but still evident types of crime include cannabis and synthetic drug trade, sex trafficking, fauna and flora crimes, cybercrime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Percent of households with guns by country</span>

This is a list of countries by the estimated percent of households with guns. It is further broken down by the estimated percent of households with handguns. Also, by the estimated percent of adults living in armed households. The data is from GunPolicy.org which is hosted by the Sydney Medical School, at the University of Sydney in Australia. GunPolicy.org consolidates this data from various sources. To avoid problems with vetting the data for hundreds of countries from hundreds of sources, the table below only uses data compiled by GunPolicy.org.

References

  1. ↑ "Home". Small Arms Survey. 2011-06-10. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Small Arms Survey | GPPlatform". Gpplatform.ch. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  3. ↑ "The Graduate Institute – Geneva; Small Arms Survey". Un-instraw.org. 2010-12-16. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  4. 1 2 "IUHEI: Small Arms Survey (SAS) - Texts". Administration Research Actions Management Information System (ARAMIS). Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  5. ↑ "About the Small Arms Survey" (PDF). Small Arms Survey. 2002. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  6. ↑ Krause, Keith (September 2019). "CV" (PDF). Geneva Graduate Institute. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  7. ↑ "Diplomatic initiatives". Eda.admin.ch. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  8. ↑ "HSBA for Sudan and South Sudan". www.smallarmssurveysudan.org. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  9. ↑ "Sudan Human Security Baseline Assessment – Empirical research & support of violence reduction initiatives". Smallarmssurveysudan.org. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  10. ↑ "Home". Small Arms Survey. 2013-07-25. Retrieved 23 November 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Small Arms Survey - Small Arms Survey reveals: More than one billion firearms in the world". www.smallarmssurvey.org. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  12. 1 2 3 Estimating Global CivilianHELD Firearms Numbers. Aaron Karp. June 2018
  13. ↑ "Americans Own 46% of the World's 1 Billion Guns, Says U.N. Report". Time . June 2018. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  14. ↑ June 2018, Estimating Global Civilian Held Firearms Numbers by Aaron Karp
  15. 1 2 smallarmssurvey.org
  16. 1 2 smallarmssurvey.org
  17. 1 2 "Law enforcement Firearms Holdings, 2017" (PDF). Small Arms Survey. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2018.
  18. ↑ The Washington Post. There are more guns than people in the United States, according to a new study of global firearm ownership. By Christopher Ingraham. June 19, 2018
  19. ↑ Estimating Global Military owned Firearms Numbers. By Aaron Karp June, 2018
  20. ↑ "Americans Own 46% of the World's 1 Billion Guns, Says U.N. Report". Time . Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  21. ↑ "Which countries rank high in private gun ownership? After the top spot, you may be surprised". CBC.ca . Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  22. ↑ "Report says over 1 billion small arms in world, up from 2007". AP News . 19 June 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  23. ↑ "Oikaisu: Pääkirjoituksessa väärää tietoa aseiden määrästä". 29 March 2016.
  24. ↑ "Miksi "luotettava media" valehtelee asemääristä? - Mikko Niskasaari". www.mikkoniskasaari.fi.
  25. ↑ "Yearbook". Small Arms Survey. 5 May 2011. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  26. ↑ "Small Arms Survey – Series". Cambridge University Press. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  27. ↑ "The largest civilian firearms arsenals for 178 countries" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  28. ↑ "The Graduate Institute, Geneva – Institutional News of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies". Graduateinstitute.ch. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  29. ↑ "2010". Small Arms Survey. 2011-05-05. Archived from the original on November 4, 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  30. ↑ "Small Arms Survey 2011 – Academic and Professional Books – Cambridge University Press". Cambridge.org. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  31. ↑ "Small Arms Survey 2012 – Academic and Professional Books – Cambridge University Press". Cambridge.org. Retrieved 2012-11-26.
  32. ↑ "2013". Small Arms Survey. 2013-10-21. Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-23.
  33. ↑ "Small Arms Survey 2014". Small Arms Survey. 2014. Archived from the original on March 27, 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  34. 1 2 "By type". Small Arms Survey. 5 May 2011. Archived from the original on October 20, 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  35. ↑ smallarmssurvey.org
  36. ↑ smallarmssurvey.org
  37. ↑ Karp, Aaron (June 2018). "Estimating Global Law Enforcement Firearms Numbers" (PDF). Small Arms Survey. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 June 2018.
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