June 10, 2025.
Tagged: Ammunition
Over the last two decades civil society organisations and many like-minded States have been especially concerned about the effective regulation of conventional ammunition from the licit market. It spans from controls on manufacturing to international trading and transport, and national stockpile storage and distribution. Particular attention regarding security has been given to preventing the diversion of such ammunition into illegal hands and into illicit uses, especially to commit organised crimes and atrocities. In addition, States have increasingly addressed safety concerns that arise from the improper handling of some national stocks stored under poor environmental conditions that have led to ongoing accidental explosions resulting in the loss of lives and property.
While small arms and light weapons (SALW) can remain functional for decades even if their storage conditions are inadequate, that does not apply to their ammunition. For SALW there are solutions whereby parts and components can be removed from a weapon and replaced when needed to maintain its operability. However, such solutions do not apply to ammunition which has a much shorter shelf-life than the weapons themselves. In order for authorized personnel to use a particular SALW lawfully, the suitable ammunition must not only be available and accounted for but must be safely and securely stored.
This factsheet addresses the issue of conventional ammunition management and makes some recommendations for civil society organizations (CSOs) on how to engage with the Global Framework for through-life conventional ammunition management.