Extract: Concern about the spread and use of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) has developed rapidly since the mid 1990s given the bleak record. As Mike Bourne reminds his readers, SALW misuse in conflict and crime is estimated to result in over 500,000 deaths a year and countl-less other injuries. Moreover, in 90 percent of conf-flicts since 1990, SALW have been the primary weapons used in fighting, and have contributed to the increased proportion of civilian deaths in those conflicts. Armed violence perpetuated with SALW has devastating impacts that are not limi-ited to massive direct civilian casualties. Indirect effects of SALW and their misuse contribute to human insecurity, crippling burdens on the health care system, rising criminality and the privatizat-tion of security, violations of human rights, etc. Whereas the availability of SALW does not cause the outbreak of violence, it may make violence more feasible, more likely, and more destructive.