05 July 2001

Fact Sheet: State Dept. on Illicit Small Arms, Light Weapons

The United States has developed a wide array of measures to combat the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons that includes international agreements, legislation, and an extensive set of export control measures, according to a U.S. Department of State fact sheet.

The fact sheet, released July 5, outlines measures that include: arms brokering legislation, excess weapons destruction, export controls, embargo enforcement, transparency, an arms trafficking convention, crackdown on illicit arms financing, stepped up border vigilance, and a UN arms protocol.

The following abbreviations are used in the text:

• SA/LW: small arms and light weapons

• FY: fiscal year

• OAS: Organization of American States

Following is the text of the fact sheet:

Fact Sheet
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
Washington, D.C.
July 5, 2001
U.S. Measures to Fight the Illicit Small Arms/Light Weapons (SA/LW) Trade

International Diplomacy. The U.S. works with many nations bilaterally, and with regional and international organizations, to stem the flow of illicit SA/LW trafficking.

Arms Brokering Legislation. The 1996 U.S. legislation was one of the world's first comprehensive laws on arms brokering. The U.S. brokering law covers all U.S. citizens in the United States and abroad as well as foreign nationals in the United States.

Transparency in SA/LW. Through its Section 655 Report to Congress, the U.S. regulates SA/LW exports under fully transparent procedures. This annual report to Congress provides information on all U.S. arms exports and is available on the Internet.

Excess Weapons Destruction and Stockpile Security. The U.S. has committed $2 million for FY 2001, with more to come, for SA/LW destruction and stockpile security.

The OAS Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms Convention. This Agreement among OAS countries strengthens their ability to combat illicit trafficking, while facilitating cooperation among them.

Embargo Enforcement. The U.S. carefully observes and enforces sanctions and embargoes established by the United Nations Security Council and urges other states to do the same.

Cracking Down on Financing of Illicit Arms. The U.S. has been actively involved in initiatives to curb the impact of the illegitimate diamond trade on African conflicts.

Vigilance at the Borders. The U.S., through ATF and the U.S. Customs Service, has intensified interdiction and investigative efforts to prevent illicit trafficking across its borders.

UN Transnational Organized Crime Convention "Firearms Protocol". The U.S. joined consensus on a legally binding agreement on measures to combat illicit trade in firearms, May 31, 2001.