Advancing control over small arms, light weapons and conventional ammunition

Small arms, light weapons and conventional ammunition are recognized to cause the majority of deaths in conflicts and non-combat situations. The spread of such weapons also fuels conflicts and endangers peacetime security by undermining the rule of law and increasing violence. Poorly managed ammunition stockpiles pose additional risks, especially to infrastructure and through criminal and terrorist misuse. Recognizing these issues, the international community has been active for several decades in curbing the illicit trade and uncontrolled accumulation and use of small arms and light weapons.

As many major producers of weapons and ammunition are located in the OSCE region, the Organization takes the issue of illicit arms proliferation very seriously. The Organization’s participating States have adopted several documents to regulate the production, transfer, storage, collection and destruction of such weapons, and to control their export. 

The Forum for Security Co-operation is instrumental in helping the participating States in developing and implementing these documents. Upon request, it assists with collecting and destroying small arms, light weapons and conventional ammunition, and helps improve legislation to effectively control them. It also assists with improving stockpile management and promotes regular information exchange among States on small arms and light weapons, conventional arms transfers and anti-personnel landmines.

Related documents:

OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons

OSCE Document on Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition

The OSCE conducts extra-budgetary projects on the control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (SCA), providing practical technical assistance funded through voluntary contributions by participating States. 

Every year, the participating States exchange information on small arms and light weapons control measures undertaken, by answering an extensive questionnaire, indicating also whether these arms constitute a surplus or have been seized or destroyed.

Exchange of military information made available to the public:

Answers to the Small Arms and Light Weapons Questionnaire

Annual Information on SALW Identified as Surplus and/or Seized and Destroyed

Points of Contact on Small Arms and Light Weapons and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition