Small arms - Definition and Overview

The term small arms describes any weapon that a person can easily transport and fire. It describes personal weapons such as pistols, rifles, grenades, grenade launchers, mortars and machine guns. Small arms find a variety of uses including police and military uses, hunting, personal protection, crime, civil war and sports shooting. Many small arms have a low power compared to other gun types.

See small arms proliferation issues for the international movement to restrict the sale of military-grade small arms in conflict zones.

See also: list of firearms