Armas em excesso

38% of the world's military firearms are surplus stock, according to theSmall Arms Survey Yearbook 2008. A high surplus could create the risk offirearms filtering into the illicit market; the Survey identifiesdiversion from military stockpiles as a major source of weapons found incriminal hands. Many countries choose to export excess weapons forfinancial gain rather than destroy them, while others prefer to maintainlarge surpluses in case a national security emergency might arise. TheSurvey outlines some of the incentives that have been offered toencourage destruction, including security sector reform programs.www.iansa.org