Published May 20, 2011 | By Kendall Lawrence

Conventional weapons continue to proliferate around the globe at an astonishing rate, representing a threat to civilian populations. The term, ‘conventional weapons’ generally refers to weapons that are in wide use and are not weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. They include small arms and light weapons, sea and land mines, as well as (non-nuclear) bombs, shells, rockets, missiles and cluster munitions. Their use during war is governed by the Geneva Conventions and other agreements and conventions. Conventional weapons are widely used in conflict around the globe. They are used by both state and non-state actors, though trade is tracked on the state level.
Conventional weapons are a topic of discussion on many levels on the international field. Examining the trends in international arms transfers helps to create a broader understanding of the scope and effect of conventional weapons.

This fact sheet provides a basic overview of the trade in conventional weapons.