Citizens who feel safe can end arms menace

Calls for voluntary disarmament and co-operation by communities in ensuring security are not enough to rid the country of illegal arms. Even where citizens are inclined to respect the rule of law, fears of living unprotected may triumph over their better instincts. Disarmament, whether forcible or voluntary, must be accompanied by enhanced security and (in areas where arms are used in rustling) economic alternatives.

With organised crime, the two approaches are also needed: The communities that protect criminal gangs in their midst have an economic incentive to do so. And where they don’t, they are usually afraid of the consequences of reporting to a possibly complicit police or administrative unit.