US Freedom Illustrated by World Firearm Sales

The 2009 Small Arms Survey, a global report, found that the United States has fueled a worldwide increase in legal international gun sales between 2000 and 2006. The U.S now accounts for over half of the world’s imports of pistols and revolvers and 45 percent of shotguns. The 344-page report found the U.S. imports more than 4 percent of the global total; higher than any other country.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the U.S. is a major importer of small arms. We are the world’s largest importer of many products and those purchases help keep less wealthy nations employed. This adds to world stability. Austria is the largest seller of pistols with 75 percent of its exports going to the United States. The small country of Croatia sold 98 percent of its 2006 production to the U.S for $27 million.

The report found that sales of light military weapons have decreased by almost 30 percent over the same period. This suggests that the world has become safer in the early 21^st Century, as countries have cut back on military purchases. It only makes sense that arms producers would switch to civilian and police models.

The report also examined world hot spots like Indonesia, Afghanistan and Lebanon. It found that disarmament, demobilization and reintegration have met with mixed success. Translation, they haven’t worked. It seems that people who live in war-torn countries aren’t willing to give up their arms. And I don’t blame them. I’m not willing to give up mine. If you want to continue living in a free society you shouldn’t either. A government for the people by the people ceases to be once it confiscates firearms.