In many countries in which Oxfam operates, our work with poor people is all too often undermined by conflict, fuelled by the easy availability of arms. And all too often, homes, livelihoods, and efforts to overcome poverty are destroyed by the indiscriminate use of arms by security forces.
Congo is awash with small arms.
Guns are cheap. Without tighter controls, we cannot guarantee that UK arms are not reaching countries where there is conflict, instability, or a poor human rights record. The UK hasn't updated its arms export control legislation since 1939. The current government has yet to introduce promised new legislation. Oxfam and other campaigning organisations have identified the following loopholes in current arms trade regulations that require urgent changes to the law.