International/Regional Law on Arms Control

International treaties and conventions

The United Nations Program of Action (PoA)

The UN Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects

Inter-American Convention against the illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials (CIFTA) (2005)

The Convention was enacted in January 1998 and had been ratified by all the nations in the region by May 2006, with the exception of Canada, The United States, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, The Dominican Republic, and Suriname. 

Regional Treaties and Conventions

Memorandum of Understanding on the exchange of information on the illicit manufacture and trafficking of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other related materials between States Parties to Mercosur (2004)

The memorandum above (in Spanish) on the exchange of information related to the production and illegal trade of firearms, ammunition, explosives and related materials, is a legally binding agreement ratified by the Council of the Mercosur.

Andean Plan to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (2003)

The plan above (in Spanish) was adopted by Andean Community member states: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.

Regional Laws outside South America

The Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa (2004)

The Nairobi Protocol was signed by 11 African nations in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa region.