Shining a Light on Small Arms Exports:The Record of State Transparency

This report assesses the case for, and arguments against, transparency by states in their small arms exports. It examines regional and global export transparency mechanisms and evaluates their implementation and impact in mitigating dangerous aspects of small arms proliferation. The study analyses customs data and national export reports being produced, to determine strengths and weaknesses of each model. It looks at export decision-making criteria and policies, and the final section draws overall conclusions about the merit of a transparency agenda by states concerned with the humanitarian impact of the proliferation of guns and grenades. It makes recommendations for better provision of information via customs data, parliamentary committees, and annual arms export reports – and provides a model for a transparent export report. (Excerpt from the summary).

By Maria Haug, Martin Langvandslien, Lora Lumpe and Nicholas Marsh. Jointly produced by NISAT and the Small Arms Survey.

Click here to download a digital copy.