It is estimated that at least 639 million small arms and light weapons (SALW) are circulated in the world today. In many parts of the world, particularly developing and transitional societies, the wide availability and use of small arms is associated with great suffering and insecurity. Each year more than 8 million small arms and light weapons are produced, together with more than 16 billions of ammunition. The Small Arms Survey estimates that 60 per cent of the global stockpiles of 639 million SALW are in civilian hands. Some 300,000 people are killed and millions more injured by small arms each year. Available data shows that the highest levels of firearms mortality can be found in Latin America and the Caribbean (15,5 deaths per 100,000), followed by Africa (5,9) and North America (3,5).

In addition to staggeringly high levels of death and injury, which would be much lower if guns were not available, armed violence implies enormous costs to all levels of society, human as well as economic. The security, justice and health sectors are particularly exposed to budget deficits, but armed violence also implies significant reduction of productivity rates and therefore negative consequences for economic development and performance. Lack of capacity or resources on behalf of the State to offer citizen security adversely affects social cohesion, resulting in eroding credibility of public institutions. This curtails the prospects for human development and the consolidation of democracy in the world.

Within the Western Balkans, the impact of uncontrolled proliferation and possession of SALW continue to constitute a major threat to social and economic development.  Specifically, they contribute to the continued proliferation of criminal elements and organized crime, which has a negative influence on social and economic development.  There is also a similar negative effect on security and confidence building measures during the transitional period of many of the countries within the region towards membership of Euro-Atlantic institutions. 

Impact of SALW

• Undermine the rule of law.
• Are an enabler for crime and instability.
• Exacerbate community tensions and increase the threshold of violence.
• Act as an obstacle to development.
• Resources spent on security are unavailable for development.
• Negate confidence and security building measures.
• Contribute to human rights violations and abuses.
• Discourage investment and tourism.
• Encourage violent rather than peaceful resolution to problems.
• Contribute to a ‘gun culture’.
• Increase the risk of terrorism.
• Undermine the legal arms trade.
• Represent a physical risk to communities because of unstable ammunition.

The First western Balkans Parliamentary Meeting – 02 November 2006 in Belgrade, Serbia.

The Launch of the Western Balkans Parliamentary Forum - 22 May 2007 in Belgrade, Serbia.