Completing the Circle: Building a Theory of Small Arms Demand JURGEN BRAUER and ROBERT MUGGAH Introduction This study presents a general theory on the demand for small arms and light weapons (small arms, for short) and provides initial evidence drawn from case studies in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, and Brazil. Although the two are of course related, our central concern is with the factors that influence the acqui- sition, rather than the (ab)use, of arms. 1 The aim is to elaborate a comprehensive research agenda on small arms demand. By examining the demand for small arms, we contribute to an analytical understanding of the ‘inputs’ (causes) of armed vio- lence that result in victims (the ‘output’, or consequences). Such understanding, com- bined with data derived from fieldwork, is important for the design of effective interventions to prevent armed violence and victimization occurring in the first place. The essay proceeds as follows. The first section briefly presents our rationale for initiating a demand-side approach to the small arms issue. The next section lays out a multi-disciplinary, general theory of demand for small arms. The third section dis- cusses social science contributions to the general theory of demand, and the fourth section presents initial evidence from four field research-based case studies. The final section summarizes and concludes. Rationale Much research, writing, and policymaking has been devoted to generating awareness of, and responses to, the supply side of the small arms market, such as export control regimes, weapon registries, and arms and ammunition marking and tracing. 2 It is hoped that by regulating the international and regional supply of small arms, and by preventing or tracking illegal flows that drift into open markets, arms acquisition and hence armed violence can be reduced. Yet a growing cadre of academics, practitioners, and policymakers question the emphasis on the supply side and seek to examine and understand factors that drive the demand side. 3 For example, both the United Nations Programme of Action (PoA) and the then-Organization of African Unity’s Bamako Declaration refer to a number of areas where demand reduction can be pursued. While proposed interventions are vague and often amount to keeping the status quo, they conclude that the promotion of security, conflict prevention and resolution, crime prevention, and the promotion of health and development can reduce people’s desire to acquire (and ultimately use) small arms. 4 Although a discussion on small arms demand is thus launched, the majority of Contemporary Security Policy, Vol.27, No.1 (April 2006), pp.138–154 ISSN 1352-3260 print=1743-8764 online DOI: 10.1080=13523260600603279 # 2006 Taylor & Francis