Licensed to kill

[CHIMO]

The international arms trade is big business. Each year, arms manufacturers produce enough bullets to kill every human on the planet twice.

Those who profit most from the industry are also some of the world's most powerful - countries such as the United States, Great Britain, France, China and Russia. Together, they produce almost 90 percent of arms exports.

Yet a lack of proper regulations means millions of weapons are ending in conflict zones or criminal hands - despite arms embargos and export controls. And human rights groups say the lack of controls is fuelling conflict, poverty and human rights abuses worldwide.

Worn-torn Congo is a prime example. It's subject to an arms embargo, but is still awash with guns from countries such as China, Greece, Russia, and South Africa, which are - in theory - observing the UN arms embargo.

http://www.radionetherlands.nl/features/amsterdamforum/061105af

[benEzra]

1. Regarding number of bullets produced...

Each year, arms manufacturers produce enough bullets to kill every human on the planet twice.

That sounds ominous, but it's not. Most of those are expended by civilians in lawful target shooting, or by the military in training, not in combat operations.

IIRC, American target shooters go through well over a billion rounds of .22LR each year, and that's just one caliber out of hundreds.