MISSING PIECES - Inter-Parliamentary Union

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The statistics are damning. There are currently an estimated 640
million small arms and light weapons in circulation – from handguns
and assault rifles to shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles.
The majority of this arsenal, or about 60%, is in the hands of
civilians. A further seven to eight million new weapons are added to the
global stockpile every year, as well as at least 10 billion units of ammunition.
Guns are light, cheap, durable, easy to conceal and easy to operate, and
therefore pose a pernicious threat to human security in countries at war
and at peace alike.
While landmines kill or maim between 15 and 20,000 people a year,
during the same time the use and misuse of small arms and light weapons
take between 200,000 and 270,000 lives in countries ‘at peace’ alone
through homicide and suicide – up to five times more, depending on
estimates, than die directly from gunfire in situations of war. The number
of war wounded and disabled ranges anywhere from two to thirteen times
the number killed. The economic cost of this violence is staggering, and
it is now well recognised that armed insecurity poses a grave threat to
sustainable development. Shots do not even need to be fired for firearms
to be used to threaten, coerce, intimidate and abuse, including by committing
sexual violence at gunpoint. The trauma and pain guns leave in
their wake take years to overcome, if at all.
PARLIAMENTARY ACTION
The role of parliamentarians is critical in turning the tide of gun proliferation
and violence. By strengthening or creating national laws, improving
implementation and enforcement, stimulating and leading public debate,
parliaments set new standards for reducing the societal impacts of gun
violence.
Missing Pieces: A guide for reducing gun violence through parliamentary
action has been written for parliamentarians, their advisors and civil society
to guide, inspire and suggest action. This special edition builds on the July
2005 publication, Missing Pieces: Directions for reducing gun violence through