Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) play a central role in the political and criminal violence patterns observed in Latin America and beyond. Among the various types of SALW used in the region, military-style automatic rifles are particularly prevalent and serve as a compelling case study for examining the emergence of violent dynamics and identifying effective entry points for policy responses and international cooperation initiatives.

Since there are still significant gaps in understanding SALW transnational circulation, and crucial analytical gaps regarding the social, cultural, and economic dynamics associated with their proliferation in Latin America, this project will generate a comprehensive, two-layered cartography of the circulation and control of military-style rifles in this area.

The first layer will gather quantitative data on rifle flows over the past decade, along with qualitative data on sociocultural and gendered perspectives that shape gun cultures and their political economy. The second layer will investigate the adoption and implementation of international, regional, and national norms on SALW in Latin America, evaluating their policy impacts.

Through a mixed-methods interdisciplinary research approach involving European and Latin American universities, NGOs, and international organizations, this project will inform evidence-based policy interventions aimed at curbing the circulation of military-style rifles and promoting regional security in Latin America.