What are small arms and light weapons?

Light weapons is a generic term which is used to cover a range of weapons portable by man, animal or machine.

Small arms is a sub-set of the category of light weapons which includes only those weapons that can be fired, maintained and supported by one person.

Small arms include:

• revolvers
• self-loading pistols
• rifles and carbines
• sub-machine guns
• assault rifles
• light machine guns

Light weapons include the above as well as:

• heavy machine guns
• grenade launchers
• portable anti-aircraft guns
• portable anti-tank guns
• recoilless rifles
• portable launchers of anti-tank missile and rocket systems
• portable launchers of anti-aircraft missile systems
• mortars of calibres of less than 100mm

Ammunition and explosives for small arms and light weapons include:

• cartridges (rounds) for small arms
• shells and missiles for light weapons
• anti-personnel and anti-tank hand grenades
• landmines, explosives, munitions for single-action anti-aircraft and anti-tank systems

• Small arms and light weapons
  • What are small arms and light weapons?
  • Small arms assessments
  • UN Programme of Action
  • Biting the Bullet Project
• Arms transfer controls
• Conflict-sensitive development
• Security and justice sector development
• International advocacy
• Training