Papers by Nicolas Florquin
Small Arms Monitor, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2024
Available at https://reachingcriticalwill.org/disarmament-fora/salw/2024/sam/17194-small-arms-mon... more Available at https://reachingcriticalwill.org/disarmament-fora/salw/2024/sam/17194-small-arms-monitor-vol-12-no-2
In the early 2000s, it was commonly believed that the vast majority of illicit small arms were produced legally. Twenty-three years later, new technological developments have prompted member states and civil society organisations (CSOs) alike to advocate for more awareness and additional control on weapons produced outside of industrial factories. Innovation and easy access to information decentralised arms production, facilitating the global diffusion of the tools and skills required to build small arms and light weapons.
Published in the Small Arms Monitor, Vol. 12, No. 2, Reaching Critical Will
Small Arms Survey, CARPHA, CARICOM IMPACS, GA-CDRC UWI
Available online at https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/sites/default/files/resources/SAS-Situation-U... more Available online at https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/sites/default/files/resources/SAS-Situation-Update-2024-Caribbean-PMFs-EN.pdf
The rate of violent deaths in the Caribbean remains well above the world average. Trafficking—including of firearm parts used to build privately made firearms (PMFs)—remains the primary source of small arms seized in the region. PMFs in the Caribbean vary widely in sophistication. Given their low cost and the increasingly diverse ways in which key firearm components can be acquired or produced—including through the use of 3D-printing and CNC-milling technology—PMFs have the potential to become a significant threat. The circulation of conversion devices also increases the likelihood that significantly more rounds will be fired during criminal shootings, which may in turn increase the risk of multiple injuries, including among bystanders.
Small Arms Survey, Instituto Sou da Paz, UNIDIR, 2024
On the eve of the Fourth Review Conference (RevCon4) of the Programme of Action (PoA) and Interna... more On the eve of the Fourth Review Conference (RevCon4) of the Programme of Action (PoA) and International Tracing Instrument (ITI), the proliferation and diversion of privately made and other nonindustrial small arms and light weapons pose a growing threat to security. Recent research by the Small Arms Survey, Instituto Sou da Paz, and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) demonstrates how various forms of non-industrial weapons are used in crime and conflict across the world. Some regions have attempted to regulate rather than prohibit the artisanal manufacture of small arms, but these efforts are hindered by implementation challenges and the diversion of some craft-produced firearms. Meanwhile, new technological developments and the ease with which information and expertise can be shared online have decentralized production, contributing to the global diffusion of the tools and skills necessary to build small arms and light weapons. Additionally, trafficking in small arms components, readily convertible blank-firing alarm weapons, and devices that convert semi-automatic pistols and rifles into automatic weapons (conversion devices) provide criminal and conflict actors with diverse ways to illicitly assemble, produce, and convert a range of small arms and light weapons. As a result, across regions, non-industrial weapons no longer represent only marginal fractions of seized small arms and light weapons. Rather, the problem appears to be growing in scale and complexity, and it is important for UN member state delegations at RevCon4 to understand this complexity as they deliberate the Conference’s outcome document, and set the mandate for the Open Ended Technical Expert Group (OETEG). Prepared by the Small Arms Survey, Instituto Sou da Paz, and UNIDIR for the Fourth Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms. In English: https://docs-library.unoda.org/Programme_of_Action_on_Small_Arms_and_Light_Weapons_-Review_Conference_(2024)/SAS_ISdP_UNIDIR_WorkingPaper_PrivatelyMadeSALWvf.pdf In French: https://docs-library.unoda.org/Programme_of_Action_on_Small_Arms_and_Light_Weapons_-Review_Conference_(2024)/French_WorkingPaper_PrivatelyMadeSALW.pdf
Small Arms Survey and Flemish Peace Institute , 2023
Produced for Project INSIGHT coordinated by the Flemish Peace Institute and available at https://... more Produced for Project INSIGHT coordinated by the Flemish Peace Institute and available at https://gunviolence.eu/insight-illicit-firearms-ammunition-and-other-explosive-munition-in-the-european-union/ Calibres typically associated with handguns and widely available commercial brands of ammunition usually represent the bulk of the illicit firearm ammunition seen in the countries studied. Illicit firearms ammunition is not necessarily trafficked from abroad, as shown by the misuse of domestically produced cartridges in the five surveyed countries. Moreover, cartridges produced legally within the European Union (EU) have been recovered the same year at crime scenes. A large percentage of illicit hand grenades and other factory-produced explosive munitions seized in the European countries under review were manufactured in the former Yugoslavia. The seizures are consistent with media reports and government statements indicating that the Balkans are a major source of illicit grenades acquired and used by criminals in the EU. The number of illicit grenades documented in the Netherlands and Sweden has decreased significantly in recent years, possibly owing to Covid-19-related travel and shipping disruptions, an increased reliance on other types of explosives by criminals, and national and regional counter-trafficking efforts.
Small Arms Survey and Flemish Peace Institute , 2023
Produced for Project INSIGHT coordinated by the Flemish Peace Institute and available online at h... more Produced for Project INSIGHT coordinated by the Flemish Peace Institute and available online at https://gunviolence.eu/insight-privately-made-firearms-in-the-european-union Converted firearms are the most prominent type of privately made firearms (PMFs) currently circulating in the European Union (EU). The European Commission has adopted measures to address regulatory loopholes in recent years, but their impact will take time to be felt given delays in implementation in some member states, and the substantial numbers of readily convertible weapons already in circulation. 3D-printed firearms, ghost guns, and counterfeit firearms represent emerging but concrete threats, as illustrated by recent seizures of these types of weapons. The regulatory challenges posed by 3D-printed firearms are particularly significant. The lack of standardization and granularity in official seizure data currently hinders a comprehensive analysis and monitoring of the use of PMFs in crime and violence. As PMFs may constitute a growing proportion of seized and crime firearms in the future, providing law enforcement officers and journalists with the necessary knowledge and skills to detect and report on PMFs will be critical to tackling this threat.
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 2014
What drives the prices of arms and ammunition sold at illicit markets? Do the prices of illegal a... more What drives the prices of arms and ammunition sold at illicit markets? Do the prices of illegal arms soar during episodes of marked insecurity, such as conflict onset? This article seeks to advance knowledge on the dynamics and determinants of weapons prices through the quantitative analysis of illicit arms market price data in Lebanon for the period February 2011 to September 2012. The article also examines the relationship between arms and ammunition prices in Lebanon, and reported conflict fatalities in Syria, as the period under study overlapped with the onset of conflict in the latter country. Key results include strong, statisticallysignificant correlations between the prices of arms and the prices of ammunition in Lebanon, as well as between the prices of arms and ammunition in Lebanon and reported conflict fatalities in neighbouring Syria. These findings highlight the value of monitoring illicit arms market prices, including prices for a diverse range of weapons and ammunition, to improve our understanding of both illicit markets and conflict dynamics. The strong correlations observed in the article also suggest that crowdsourcing methodologies used by organisations monitoring killings during the Syrian conflict can effectively capture variations in conflict intensity over time.
Few countries systematically record and publish detailed information on the types, caliber, and m... more Few countries systematically record and publish detailed information on the types, caliber, and makes of ammunition recovered by law enforcement. This results in a lack of knowledge of the ammunition used in crime, including in the European context. This pilot study examines the utility of ballistic datasets for monitoring illicit ammunition. The ballistic laboratories of four European countries-Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland-provided access to non-confidential subsets of their national databases, including the caliber of recovered cartridge cases as well as the year and type of incident in which they were used. The laboratories also shared images of the ammunition headstamp markings, which helped determine each cartridge case's manufacturer and-when known-year of production. The resulting dataset covers 3130 cartridge cases documented by the participating laboratories between 2015 and the first quarter of 2020. Although limited in scope-the research team did not have access to geocoded data so spatial comparisons were limited to the country level-the dataset helps generate a baseline of the main varieties of ammunition used in crime, by country and crime category, and over time. Most of the ammunition (61 per cent) was recovered in the context of violent types of crime-homicides and assaults-for which pistol ammunition calibers were the most prominent. 610 unique headstamps were recorded, but only a small proportion of these varieties of ammunition accounted for most of the cases. All four country datasets included both foreign-made ammunition as well as cartridges produced domestically. The year of manufacture could be identified for 28 per cent of the cartridges, and at least 27 pieces of ammunition were produced in the same year that the criminal incident took place, which suggests recent diversion from licit holdings. The dataset revealed additional trends such as the criminal use of blank ammunition in all four case studies, as well as the relatively new prevalence of the 7,62 × 39 caliber-which is typically used with AK-pattern rifles-in one country. In addition to shedding new light on the types of ammunition used in crime in the European context, monitoring illicit ammunition across space and over time has the potential to support police investigations with intelligence on criminals' sources of supply.
This article reviews research undertaken over the past two decades to support international polic... more This article reviews research undertaken over the past two decades to support international policy on small arms and light weapons (SALW)-which include firearms-and discusses its relevance to academic debates and policy on gun violence. It examines whether SALW research generated a greater understanding of the most problematic uses and users of firearms, and of the role of different weapons as instruments of violence. SALW research helped shift international policy from armed conflicts to gun violence occurring in a range of developing and post-conflict settings, and in Europe following the 2015-16 terror attacks. This work underscored the proximate weapons sources that armed groups often utilise, and the importance of flows of certain weapons-such as converted firearms-and ammunition in fuelling violence. Undertaking impact evaluations of novel interventions, monitoring the impact of new technologies, and investigating the relationship between ammunition supply and violence are suggested ways forward.
Using a crime script analysis, this research aims to document how smugglers operate when they tra... more Using a crime script analysis, this research aims to document how smugglers operate when they traffic arms from the US to foreign countries. Our study is based on an analysis of 66 cases that have been judged by US courts (2008-2017). The criminal activities involved are detailed in a series of distinct scenes, according to Cornish's theory. Five scripts have been developed, based on the means of transport used by the traffickers: road transport, commercial airlines, postal services, freight transport and crossing the border on foot. Results suggest that most criminals prefer to operate according to an established modus operandi. This commonality suggests that the potential exists for the professionalisation of this criminal activity. Indeed, offenders are likely to maintain it to reduce effort and risk. Complementary sources of information would help to enrich the approach proposed in this study and to address the challenges posed by complex cases.
Forensic Science International: Synergy
3D-printed firearms, an emerging category of privately made firearms (PMF) produced beyond govern... more 3D-printed firearms, an emerging category of privately made firearms (PMF) produced beyond government control, have become increasingly prevalent due to technological advancements. They are now emerging as a cost-effective and reliable alternative to conventional firearms. Raised to public awareness following the 2013 release of the 3D-printed Liberator, these firearms are now more commonly encountered by police forces. This article analyses various reports involving 3D-printed firearms, reflecting the increasing encounters by law enforcement agencies. It examines 186 cases involving 3D-printed firearms, primarily from North America, Europe, and Oceania, highlighting a significant rise in incidents since 2021. These incidents include seizures, illicit uses, and online sales, with the firearms typically being hybrid models, Parts Kit Completions/Conversions (PKC), or firearm components such as auto sears. The study underscores the use of affordable equipment and materials for production, emphasizing the accessibility and potential risks of these firearms.
Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, 2009
Focus Feature Making it Personal Book Review Special Report Notes Profiles R&D News Briefs Inform... more Focus Feature Making it Personal Book Review Special Report Notes Profiles R&D News Briefs Information within this issue may be outdated. Click here to link to the most recent issue.
Journal of illicit economies and development, Feb 23, 2021
In post-revolution Libya, the proliferation and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW... more In post-revolution Libya, the proliferation and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) became pervasive due to the ongoing political and armed conflict that succeeded the fall of Qaddafi. The continuing state of insecurity and weakness of central state authorities has led local and community-based actors to develop their own peacebuilding initiatives, some of which included homegrown measures to control or reduce the proliferation of SALW. Drawing on insights collected in the cities of Az-Zāwiyah, Bayda, and Tobruk, this policy commentary discusses the mechanisms leading to the emergence of such initiatives, the methods of their implementation, and their strengths and weaknesses. Although these local initiatives did not result in building lasting and comprehensive peace at the national level, they offer a preliminary set of lessons learned that can help inform prospective peacebuilding and SALW control efforts in Libya.
Introduction Three years after the 2011 armed conflict the same issues still dominate news report... more Introduction Three years after the 2011 armed conflict the same issues still dominate news reports on Libya: insecurity, armed groups, and firearms. The ongoing instability is a stark reminder that Libyans’ aspirations for freedom and prosperity will require more time and effort to realize. Despite the attention of the media, however, there is relatively little focus on the Libyan population’s own interpretation of events and actors on the ground. This Issue Brief attempts to rectify this information gap. The Small Arms Survey partnered with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) to research the Libyan population’s views and experiences of armed violence, security and justice providers, and firearms circulation. The research relies on a mix of qualitative and quantitative tools, including semi-directed interviews, focus groups, and a nationwide household survey.1 This Issue Brief focuses on the nationwide survey administered to 1,500 Libyan households between June and August 20...
Introduction At the initiative of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the World Humanit... more Introduction At the initiative of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) will take place in May 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey. A central objective of the process is to ‘redefine how the global community delivers for the world’s most vulnerable people’ living in areas impacted by armed conflict and disasters (WHS, 2015, p. 1). With a view to giving affected people a greater voice in these discussions, the WHS secretariat contracted the Small Arms Survey to carry out a review of population-based surveys on the needs of people in areas affected by armed conflict (UNDP, 2015). While few surveys have been undertaken in insecure environments to inquire specifically about people’s perceptions of their priorities, needs, or concerns, several institutions with various mandates and objectives have carried out relevant studies. This Issue Brief analyses people’s perceived priorities and needs in situations of armed conflict or high levels of insecurity. It...
Elrha's Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) commissioned the Small Arms Survey in 2015 to produce ... more Elrha's Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) commissioned the Small Arms Survey in 2015 to produce the first ever gap analysis of specific challenges in Gender Based Violence (GBV) humanitarian programming through the lens of humanitarian innovation. Through such a lens, this in-depth research has generated a series of clearly defined, accessible, and impactful Innovation Challenges, to address gaps in GBV programming. This report offers fresh guidance on tangible innovation areas for GBV practitioners globally to enhance effectiveness and accelerate impact. In doing so, the report aims to engage new actors and new partners from different arenas to overcome enduring GBV challenges. Elrha's Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) supports organizations and individuals to identify, nurture, and share innovative and scalable solutions to the challenges facing effective humanitarian assistance. For more information, visit www.elrha.org/hif/home The Small Arms Survey is a global centre of excellence whose mandate is to generate evidence-based, impartial, and policy-relevant knowledge on all aspects of small arms and armed violence. It is the principal international source of expertise, information, and analysis, and acts as a resource for governments, policy-makers, researchers, and civil society. It is located in Geneva, Switzerland, at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.
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Papers by Nicolas Florquin
In the early 2000s, it was commonly believed that the vast majority of illicit small arms were produced legally. Twenty-three years later, new technological developments have prompted member states and civil society organisations (CSOs) alike to advocate for more awareness and additional control on weapons produced outside of industrial factories. Innovation and easy access to information decentralised arms production, facilitating the global diffusion of the tools and skills required to build small arms and light weapons.
Published in the Small Arms Monitor, Vol. 12, No. 2, Reaching Critical Will
The rate of violent deaths in the Caribbean remains well above the world average. Trafficking—including of firearm parts used to build privately made firearms (PMFs)—remains the primary source of small arms seized in the region. PMFs in the Caribbean vary widely in sophistication. Given their low cost and the increasingly diverse ways in which key firearm components can be acquired or produced—including through the use of 3D-printing and CNC-milling technology—PMFs have the potential to become a significant threat. The circulation of conversion devices also increases the likelihood that significantly more rounds will be fired during criminal shootings, which may in turn increase the risk of multiple injuries, including among bystanders.
In the early 2000s, it was commonly believed that the vast majority of illicit small arms were produced legally. Twenty-three years later, new technological developments have prompted member states and civil society organisations (CSOs) alike to advocate for more awareness and additional control on weapons produced outside of industrial factories. Innovation and easy access to information decentralised arms production, facilitating the global diffusion of the tools and skills required to build small arms and light weapons.
Published in the Small Arms Monitor, Vol. 12, No. 2, Reaching Critical Will
The rate of violent deaths in the Caribbean remains well above the world average. Trafficking—including of firearm parts used to build privately made firearms (PMFs)—remains the primary source of small arms seized in the region. PMFs in the Caribbean vary widely in sophistication. Given their low cost and the increasingly diverse ways in which key firearm components can be acquired or produced—including through the use of 3D-printing and CNC-milling technology—PMFs have the potential to become a significant threat. The circulation of conversion devices also increases the likelihood that significantly more rounds will be fired during criminal shootings, which may in turn increase the risk of multiple injuries, including among bystanders.