Editing Weapon (section)

== Legislation ==
The production, possession, trade, and use of many weapons are controlled. This may be at a [[local government|local]] or [[central government]] level or by international treaty. Examples of such controls include:
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* The [[right of self-defense]]
* [[Knife legislation]]
* [[Air gun laws]]
* [[Gun law]]
* [[Arms trafficking]] laws
* [[Arms control]] treaties
* [[Space Preservation Treaty]]
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=== Gun laws ===
{{Main|Gun laws}}
All countries have laws and policies regulating aspects such as the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, and use of small arms by civilians.

Countries that regulate access to firearms will typically restrict access to certain categories of firearms and then restrict the categories of persons who may be granted a license for access to such firearms. There may be separate licenses for hunting, sport shooting (a.k.a. target shooting), self-defense, collecting, and concealed carry, with different sets of requirements, permissions, and responsibilities.

=== Arms control laws ===
{{Main|Arms control}}
International treaties and agreements place restrictions on the development, production, stockpiling, proliferation, and usage of weapons, from [[small arms]] and [[artillery|heavy weapons]] to [[weapons of mass destruction]]. Arms control is typically exercised through the use of diplomacy, which seeks to impose such limitations upon consenting participants, although it may also comprise efforts by a nation or group of nations to enforce limitations upon a non-consenting country.

=== Arms trafficking laws ===
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{{Main|Arms trafficking}}
Arms trafficking is the trafficking of contraband weapons and [[ammunition]]. What constitutes legal trade in firearms varies widely, depending on local and national laws. In 2001, the [[United Nations]] had made a [[Protocol Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms|protocol]] against the manufacturing and trafficking of illicit arms. This protocol made governments dispose illegal arms, and to licence new firearms being produced, to ensure them being legitimate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Firearms Protocol |url=https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/firearms-protocol/the-firearms-protocol.html |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=United Nations : Office on Drugs and Crime |language=en}}</ref> It was signed by 122 parties.