Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Trafficking

Topics / Spotlights

Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Trafficking refers to the unauthorized production, transfer, possession, or circulation of firearms and related equipment in violation of national or international regulations:

Illicit manufacture refers to the production or assembly of firearms, ammunition, or related parts without a proper license or authorization, often conducted outside state oversight.

Illicit transfer refers to the import, export, or transit of SALW in contravention of national laws or international arms control agreements, including transfers to non-state actors or conflict zones.

Illicit possession refers to the unauthorized holding or stockpiling of SALW by individuals, criminal groups, or insurgents in violation of national laws or disarmament agreements.

Beyond the direct threat to human life, SALW trafficking is a major security challenge that fuels armed violence, destabilizes regions, and undermines state authority. This is especially acute in Latin America and the Caribbean, where high rates of firearm-related violence, porous borders, and the influence of transnational criminal organizations have made the region particularly vulnerable to the illicit proliferation of weapons. It contributes to prolonged conflict, enables transnational organized crime, and weakens development and governance efforts, particularly in fragile and post-conflict states. Like other forms of illicit transnational flows, SALW trafficking often intersects with other criminal enterprises, including drug trafficking, terrorism, and human smuggling.