The uncontrolled proliferation of arms and ammunition fuels conflict, increases human rights abuses and exacerbates poverty. While one person dies every minute as a result of armed violence, millions more suffer displacement, human rights abuses, loss of services through direct damage to infrastructure and increased unemployment. There is an irrefutable link between high levels of armed violence and poverty, particularly from the illicit trade. Bringing the licit trade under control is the first necessary step toward addressing a reduction in the illicit trade.

Control Arms brings together hundreds of non-governmental organizations from many different fields, including human rights, poverty alleviation, conflict reduction, weapons specialists, health, youth, gender, survivor networks, and parliamentary networks. Together, we work to reduce armed violence worldwide by working to ensure the effective implementation and universalization of the Arms Trade Treaty. 

Our member and partner organizations are based all over the world, where they are focused on addressing cross-cutting issues that have comprehensive impacts on long-term development processes. As a coalition, we provide research and analysis, conduct outreach to governments, civil society organizations and the public, generate traditional and digital media coverage, build capacity and expertise among both governments and civil society, and facilitate policy dialogue.