Select PRIO arms classification

The database uses information form a wide variety of sources. Unfortunately, there is no common global standard for classifying small arms and light weapons. While this project follows that provided in the 1997 UN panel of experts report, there exist many other regional (OSCE, EU) global (Wassenaar) and a myriad of national definitions.

Therefore, the various data sources provide a wide variety of  descriptions of small arms and light weapons. In order to aid comparison between the various sources we have ascribed each weapon transferred a 'PRIO weapon type'. 

The PRIO classification broadly follows the 1997 UN panel of experts report: 

Please note that: 

• With the exception of codes 100 and 150 the codes do not follow a hierarchical order. If they don't find suitable data in one code users are advised to look in similar codes. 

For example, 'Ammunition- all categories' contains ammunition transactions that are vaguely described in the source without specifying that the ammunition is specifically small arms ammunition. The category 'Small Arms Ammunition' contains that ammunition which is described as being just for small arms. 

A search of 'Ammunition - all categories' will not provide results for the category 'Small Arms Ammunition'. 

• 100 is the top level code. If used, all weapon types will be selected. 
  
• 250 only refers to the customs category '930100'. In practice, it includes both small arms and light weapons. .  

Users are strongly advised to start their search using the code 100, and then narrow down their search. This is because some data sources provide only general descriptions of the small arms in question. Therefore a potentially interesting transfer may only be included at the higher level. 

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April 2004 - NISAT