1 Reconsidering Small Arms in the Solomon Islands - Findings Findings excerpted from a policy briefing commissioned from the Small Arms Survey, Geneva, for internal circulation by stakeholders, agencies and diplomatic missions, Honiara, 1 August 2003 By Robert Muggah, Senior Researcher, Small Arms Survey, Geneva, and Philip Alpers, Senior Fellow, Harvard Injury Control Research Centre, Boston Executive Summary In order to encourage a climate of transparency and a coordinated process, this policy briefing revisits the dynamics of small arms possession, distribution and impacts in the Solomon Islands and the possible contours of a short and long-term weapon reduction process. Findings As of July 2003, there are between 2,640-3,520 small arms in the Solomon Islands. Among these are an estimated 1,010-1,270 illegal “high powered” and “commercial” firearms – considerably more than the 500-700 commonly reported. “High powered” weapon types include, but are not limited to, Singaporean SR88 5.56mm assault rifles, FN-FAL 7.62mm assault rifles, GPMG M-60 7.62mm machine guns and older Webley revolvers. “Commercial” weapons are also common, including .22 calibre rifles and 12-gauge shotguns. Crude, single- shot “homemade” weapons made from water pipes and other materials use mainly .30 and .50 calibre ammunition, some of it of WWII vintage. There is little evidence of grenades. Unexploded WWII ordnance continues to pose a problem, as do looted commercial explosives. There is little evidence of substantial illegal small arms-transfers into the Solomon Islands since 2000. There appears to be a minor “ant-trade” between Bougainville and West Solomons, but price differentials strongly suggest that small arms trafficking in the southern direction is not profitable. There are also unverified reports of supplies to the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) in previous years, but little evidence to back the claim. To date, no quantity of mass-manufactured small arms has been traced to external (smuggled) sources, though ammunition must be smuggled in. Instead, serial number traces almost invariably lead to known Solomon Island stockpiles, either civilian or state-owned. The illegal trade is clearly an area requiring further investigation. A range of direct and indirect impacts of small arms misuse persist some three years after the signing of the Townsville Peace Agreement (TPA). At least 50-60 people have been fatally injured in 2003. In one hospital count, 70 per cent of gun injuries involved high velocity projectiles typical of those used in police and military weapons. Many non-fatal firearm injuries remain uncounted, but epidemiological estimates suggest a ratio as high as three non-fatal shootings for each lethal gun injury, or as many as 150-180 wounded. Armed crime – particularly extortion, kidnapping and intimidation – is widely recorded, though appears to be easing with the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Firearm legislation in the Solomon Islands needs to be enforced and penalties increased. The Firearms Act (1969, Amended 1989 and 2000) includes a broad definition of firearms and extensive penalties, and forms a solid basis for regulating unlawful ownership, marking and tracing, controls on transfers, including imports and exports. Storage practices have recently been improved, but require continuing attention. Nevertheless, current penalties are outdated and should be increased.